Joshua 20-21 is the fulfillment of Numbers 35… These commands were given to the people just before they entered the land.
And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan, then you shall select cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer who kills any person without intent may flee there (Numbers 35:9-11).
The Lord spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho, saying, “Command the people of Israel to give to the Levites some of the inheritance of their possession as cities for them to dwell in (Numbers 35:1-2).
In today’s reading, we see these commands fulfilled by Joshua in the presence of the Priests and the people at Shiloh. Shiloh is the central sanctuary that Israel was to set up after they entered the land. God has fulfilled his promises because the people depended on Him for their strength in battle. It is a satisfying time in Israel’s history!
Fast forward to today’s passage in Luke and we see this same people very much divided over the person of Jesus…
But [the scribes and Pharisees] were filled with fury and discussed with one another what they might do to Jesus (Luke 6:11).
And all the crowd sought to touch him, for power came out from him and healed them all (Luke 6:19).
Jesus is polarizing. He greatly offends some and draws the hearts of others. Why?
If you don’t think you need Him, “you have received your consolation” (Luke 6:24). But if you seek and hunger after Him, “you shall be satisfied” (Luke 6:21).
We can learn similar lessons from both Old and New Testament passages. God has the power to fulfill and bring about all of His promises – but He can only work when we look to Him from a position of spiritual poverty and hunger. We must need Him. Only then can we experience the fulfillment of His blessing!
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