Flying Axeheads and other acts of mercy

God is paying attention!

He's left nothing to chance, no details left out. In every circumstance we might find ourselves in, God is ready with an answer, poised and ready to help protect the innocent and convict the guilty. God has established a method, a law, to create and build a community of peace and harmony.

Just watch out for flying axeheads and violent neighbors!

Yes, God is paying attention, making sure that even those who hurt or kill someone accidentally can find refuge in one of the cities of refuge. These are those towns set aside as asylum in any case of involuntary manslaughter. It's here that they are free from conviction (but only if innocent or accident) and from retribution. (Deuteronomy 19:1-7)

Asylum cities say something about God (his protection and care, mercy and forgiveness), but they also say something about us. I find it interesting that they were necessary to protect the innocent, but also to protect the rest of us. These towns, because of their very nature, kept families from seeking that eye for an eye, tooth for tooth that the law demanded for the guilty. And sometimes it's hard for the rest of us to decide who's innocent and who's guilty! (because of our passion, our opinion, our link to the injured, etc.) We don't have asylum cities today, but maybe we should. They might keep some of us from committing even greater crimes against humanity and against God! (They might even protect us from the wrongful death civil lawsuits that costs society way too much money!)

It's really about mercy (and community building). God is making sure that this community built around Israel and as an influence to the rest of the world functions as God's community. And at the same time, reveals the very nature of God. Yes, the laws are helping Israel to be formed into a God-natured society and it includes in a large part, mercy. And as the story of God unfolds we discover that this mercy is not only for the innocent, or for the victims, but also for the guilty! God's mercy is complete and he continues to be a refuge for anyone who will run to Him!

Fortunately I've never been struck with a flying axehead! I'm sure it would not be pleasant and that it would make fine fodder for horror films. (and of course if I had, I probably wouldn't be writing this right now!) But even if it's our flying axehead, God's watching out for us, waiting to grant us mercy and a place of safety in his arms. It's who God is...

...and what God expects of us!

Peace ><>
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