‏ Deuteronomy 19

* The cities of refuge, The man-slayer, The murderer. (1-13)

Landmarks not to be removed. (14) The punishment of false

witnesses. (15-21)

1-13 Here is the law settled between the blood of the murdered,

and the blood of the murderer; provision is made, that the

cities of refuge should be a protection, so that a man should

not die for that as a crime, which was not his willing act. In

Christ, the Lord our Righteousness, refuge is provided for those

who by faith flee unto him. But there is no refuge in Jesus

Christ for presumptuous sinners, who go on still in their

trespasses. Those who flee to Christ from their sins, shall be

safe in him, but not those who expect to be sheltered by him in

their sins. 14 Direction is given to fix landmarks in Canaan. It is the

will of God that every one should know his own; and that means

should be used to hinder the doing and suffering of wrong. This,

without doubt, is a moral precept, and still binding. Let every

man be content with his own lot, and be just to his neighbours

in all things. 15-21 Sentence should never be passed upon the testimony of one

witness alone. A false witness should suffer the same punishment

which he sought to have inflicted upon the person he accused.

Nor could any law be more just. Let all Christians not only be

cautious in bearing witness in public, but be careful not to

join in private slanders; and let all whose consciences accuse

them of crime, without delay flee for refuge to the hope set

before them in Jesus Christ.