Jevon Martin: Hey, good afternoon, Waterway. Right now it is Tuesday, June 30th. You're probably getting this podcast in your inbox somewhere around Thursday, July 2nd, 3rd, maybe the 4th. if it's hot where you are, look out for somebody who may not be able to take care of themselves. Help to keep them cool. All right. So here we are today. My name is Jesse. This is Javon. We're here continuing this series as we go through the Old Testament, looking at events and people and Hey, good afternoon, waterway. Right now it is Tuesday, June thirtieth. You're probably getting this podcast in your inbox somewhere around Thursday, July 2nd, 3rd, and 4th. if it's hot where you are, look after somebody who may not be able to take care of themselves and help to keep them cool. All right. So here are they my name is Justin. This is Javon. We're here continuing this series as we get through the old testament, looking at events and people places in and the old testament that point forward towards Jesus. And of course, this past Sunday, what did I preach about, Javon? You preached about covenants. Shut off. Put on the spot. How many of you would have known just that quick? But yeah, talk about covenant this week and this past Sunday focused especially on Hebrews chapter eight, how that talks about Jesus being the fulfillment of the old covenant which was delivered through Moses. And of course there were lots of covenants in the Old Testament. Places in the Old Testament that point forward towards Jesus. And of course, this past Sunday, what did I preach about, John? You preached about covenants. Put them on the spot. How many of you would have known just that quick? But yeah, talk about covenant this week, and this past Sunday focused especially on Hebrews chapter, how that talks about Jesus being the fulfillment of the old covenant, which was delivered through Moses. Of course, there are lots of covenants in the old testament, but we talked about some last time how Jesus But we talked about some of that stuff, how Jesus fulfilled what God laid out in the Mosaic Covenant. as we were studying through that, looking through Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, an interesting little phrase came up that neither of us had studied much or thought much about before, but we wanted to talk about today. Cities of refuge. Cities of refuge. And so a lot of what we're going to be reading today comes out of Numbers 35. What God laid out in the Mosaic Covenant. As we were studying through that, looking through the Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy, an interesting little phrase came up that neither of us had studied much or thought much about before. We want to talk about today, cities of refuge. Cities of refuge. And so a lot of what we're going to be reading today comes out of Numbers 35. But these cities of refuge, these were cities that were part of the inheritance of the Levites. So if you'll But these cities of refuge, these were cities that were part of the inheritance of the Levites. recall, there are all the tribes of Israel, the tribes of Jacob, and 11 of them get their own territory as they go into the promised land, right? but the Levites, the priests, do not have their own land of inheritance. Their inheritance is said to be the Lord. But the Levites had 48 cities that were going to be their places to live. So if you will recall, there are all the tribes of Israel, the tribes of Jacob, and eleven of them get their own territory after they go into the promised land, right? the Levites, the priests, do not have their own land of inheritance. Their inheritance is said to be Lord. But the Levites have forty-eight cities that were going to be their places to live. And each of these cities at numbers thirty-five, it talks about how big they ought to be and they ought to be surrounded by pasture land. And each of these cities in Numbers 35, it talks about how big they ought to be, and they ought to be surrounded by a pasture land so that the Levites have a place for all their livestock to eat. And in Numbers 35, it says, of those 48 cities where the Levites will live, six of them should be cities of refuge. And I challenge you to go back to the Bible on your own time, look at the names of those six cities. It'll be interesting. You're going to recognize a lot of those names they've been attached to. Levites have a place for all their lives to have to be. And in number 35, it says of those 48 cities where the Levi, six of them should be cities of refuge. And I challenge you to go back to the Bible on your own time, look at the names of the those six cities. It'll be interesting. You're going to recognize a lot of those names that get attached to camps and churches and towns. Especially, it seems to me, especially in the Mennonite community. Camps and churches and towns. Especially it seems to me, especially in the Mennonite community in Pennsylvania. So look up the names of those six cities of refuge. But what were they? Well, these were six of these forty-eight cities where people who had killed someone could go and escape until at least their trial, or if they were found innocent of murder but guilty of manslaughter, this is where these folks could live out. In Pennsylvania. So look at the names of those six cities of refuge. But what were they? Well, these were six of these forty-eight cities where people who had killed someone could go and escape until at least their trial, or if they were found innocent of murder but guilty of manslaughter, this is where these folks could live out the rest of their lives and not fear retribution or revenge from the dead person's back. Rest of their lives and not fear retribution or revenge from the dead person's family. So let me just give you a little bit of context here. Numbers 35, this is verse 11. It says that the people are supposed to select some towns to be their cities of refuge, to which a person who has killed someone accidentally, that's what I mean when I'm talking about manslaughter. A person who has killed someone accidentally may flee. They will be places of refuge from the avenger. So let me just give you a little bit of context here. Numbers thirty five, this is verse eleven. It says that the people are supposed to select some towns to be your cities of refuge, to which a person who has killed someone accidentally, that's what I mean when I talk about mass murder. A person who has killed someone accidentally may flee. They will be placed at refuge from the Avenger. So that anyone accused of murder may not die before they stand trial before the assembly. And So that anyone accused of murder may not die before they stay on trial before assembly. so this Avenger, that led me into like a second little study, which is kind of a a fun little thing. There is, are you familiar? Are you familiar with this title, The Avenger of Blood? The Avengers. Not the Avengers. No, we're talking about numbers. Thank you. Spider Man's not in the Bible? Were you born in? nineteen ninety nine. Nineteen ninety nine. The Avengers have been a big part of your life. absolutely. No. Yeah. And so this Avenger. That led me into like a second little study, which is kind of a a fun little thing. There is, are you familiar? Are you familiar with this title, The Avenger of Blood? the The Avengers. Not the Avengers. No, we're talking about numbers. What year were you in? nineteen ninety nine. Nineteen ninety nine? The Avengers would make part of your life. absolutely. Yeah. Yeah. So this Avenger of Blood question is have you ever I mean if you are studying Hebrew right now and work through the Bible, Old Testament, have you ever This Avenger of Blood. In all seriousness, have you ever I mean you are studying Hebrew right now, you've worked through the Bible, Old Testament. Have you ever studied the Avenger of Blood? For some reason, that particular name is not something I've delved into. Avenger I find the name cool, but it's also not like one of the top top man, I really need to get down this. I think if I ever had a rock band, I think I'm gonna name as the Avengers of Blood. You know, it's biblical. It's now we know how to announce them on Sunday morning when he gets up to preach. Jesse Johnson, the Avenger of Oxford. Avenger of Plood. For some reason that particular name is not something that's delves into it. I find the name cool, but it's also not like one of the top topics. Yeah, I really need to keep down into I think if I ever have a raw player, I think I'm gonna name the Avengers of Blood. Well, the Avenger of Blood was connected Well, the Avenger of Blood was connected to the Mosaic Law in the Old Testament. and again, this is one of those things that kind of we get and if we study the cities of refuge and the Avenger of Blood, we can see how Christ changed some of how we are supposed to carry out the law. And we can see, and we will see today in the book of Romans, especially 12 and 13, we'll see how some of this has changed. But the idea the Mosaic law in the old testament. and again, this is one of those things that we get if we study the cities of refuge and the Avenger of God, we can see how Christ changed some of how we are supposed to carry out the law. And and we can see we'll see today on the Romans especially twelve, thirteen, we'll see how some of this has changed. When God was speaking through Moses to the people, is that they should have these cities of refuge where people who accidentally killed somebody should go and be safe until their trial. But the idea when God was speaking for Moses to the people is that they have these cities of refuge where people who accidentally killed somebody should go and be safe. Well, then my question becomes safe from whom? Safe from what? Like what is the danger if someone has accidentally killed somebody? Well, this is what we know about the avenger of blood. And again, numbers 35. If someone was murdered or someone was killed by another person, it became the duty of the avenger of blood to till their trial. Well then my question becomes safe from whom? Safe from what? Like what is the danger if someone has accidentally killed somebody? Well, this is what we know about the Avenger of Blood. And again, numbers 35. If someone was murdered, someone was killed by another person, it became the duty of the Avenger To restore justice to the family and the land by pursuing and albeit carrying out the death penalty on the person responsible. It says in Numbers of Bloore justice to the family and the land by pursuing and always carrying out dependency on the person responsible. 35, 19 that the avenger of blood, there's the whole title, Numbers 35, 19, the avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death. When the avenger comes upon the murderer, the avenger shall put the murderer to death. So, in other words, as soon as they see this person, they are to put them to death. Usually it is the oldest male. It says in numbers 3519 that the avenger of blood, there's the whole title, numbers 35-19. The avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death. When the avenger comes upon the murderer, the avenger shall put the murderer to death. So, in other words, as soon as they see this person, they are to put them to death. Usually it is the oldest male family member person who died. But there's still this reality that sometimes people died or were killed by others, and family member of the person who died. But there's still this reality that sometimes people died or were killed by others. And folks weren't sure, was it an accident? Was it on purpose? Was there malice? Was there intention? And these are all things that God's law allows room for as people figure out, okay, is this something that's punishable by death or not? But here we have these six cities of refuge and they were spread Folks weren't sure, was it an accident? Was it on purpose? Was it their malice? Was it their intention? And these are all things that God's law allows room for as people figure out, okay, is this something that's punctionable by death or not? But here we have these six cities of refuge, and they were spread. Three of them were on one side of the Jordan River, three of them were on the other, so they were equally spread out throughout the land. People from all throughout Israel could find one kind of nearby, they accidentally killed someone. They could go to that city of refuge, the Avenger of Blood. Three of them were on one side of the Jordan River, three of them were on the other, so that they were equally spread out throughout the land. People from all throughout Israel could find one kind of nearby if they accidentally killed someone. They could go to that city of refuge. The Avenger of Blood could not get to them not get to them until the trial was finished up and then if they were found to be a hard order, well they're kicked out of the city and the Avenger's board and kill them. If it was found that the person was killed by accident or it wasn't their fault, there were some kind of extenuated until the trial was finished up. And then if they were found to be a murderer, well, they're kicked out of the city and the Avenger of Blood would kill them. If it was found that this person was killed by accident, or it wasn't their fault, or that there were some kind of extenuating circumstances. Then the person who committed manslaughter in that case could stay in that city, be safe from the Avenger, but they had to stay in that city until the priest died. That's a lot of background circumstances, then the person who committing manslaughter in that case could stay in that city, be safe from the Avenger, but they hadn't stayed in the city until the priest died. That's a lot of background and a lot of detail. So I feel like I'd be running tabs all and a lot of detail. I feel like I'd be running tabs all through Israel about through Israel about how old the priests were in the all the cities rescues. So they had to run away and be that guy's nine he is picking up the tree. I believe I believe it's the death of the high priest. I got that wrong. That's the person. It can be hard to understand. So then you play a safe until the high priestess is like in his nine years. Then you then you How old the priests were in the all the re the cities of refuge. So that if you had to run to one, it'd be like, well, that guy's 90, he's kicking the bucket in two years. I believe I believe it's the death of the high priest. okay. I got that wrong. That's the first. But this is what's interesting when we get into some of these Old Testament kind of things. It can be hard to understand. So then you play it safe until the high priest is like in his nineties. Then you then you can risk it. You know? Why does all of this matter? Why does all of this matter? So I just want to keep all the narrative on. Always looking for loopholes, aren't we? Always looking for some way around. No, so why does all of this matter? What does it matter? Well, here it was really interesting for me as I was studying some bit, looking at numbers 35. At the end of the book, or at the end of chapter 35, after the revolution that we discussed, after the Avenger of Rome. Sorry, I'm just gonna keep on moving here, Javon. Always looking for loopholes, aren't we? Always looking for for some way around. Now, so why does all of this matter? What does this matter? Well, here's what's really interesting to me as I was studying just a little bit and looking at Numbers 35. At the end of the book, or at the end of Numbers chapter 35, after this Cities of Refuge thing is discussed, after the Avenger of Blood is defined, here's what it says as to why this is so important. Here's what it says as to why this is so important. In Numbers 35, verse 23, God, as he is speaking to the people, says, Do not pollute the land where you are. Now I'm reading from the NIV. Again, Numbers 35, verse 33. Do not pollute the land where you are. Bloodshed pollutes the land, and atonement, we've talked about that in the last couple of weeks. Atonement cannot be made for the land on which blood has been shed. In Numbers 35, verse 33, God, as he is speaking to the people, says, Do not pollute the land where you are. Now I'm reading from the NIV. Again, Numbers 35, verse 33. Do not pollute the land where you are. Bloodshed pollutes the land, and atonement, we've talked about that in the last couple weeks. Atonement cannot be made for the land on which blood has been shed, except by the blood of the one who Except by the blood Shed it. Do not defile the land where you live and where I dwell, for I, the Lord, dwell among the Israelites. In other words, if someone dies and blood is spilled on the ground, it defiles the ground. And the only way to kind of clean things up again is for the blood of the killer to also be spilled. The blood cancels out blood. This is why we hear so many things about eye for eye, tooth for tooth, blood for blood. of the one who shed it. Do not defile the land where you live and where I dwell, for I the Lord dwell among the Israelites. In other words, if someone dies and blood is spilled on the ground, it defiles the ground. And the only way to clean things up again is for the blood of the kettle to also be spilled. The blood cancelled blood. This is why we hear so many things about eye for eye, tooth for tooth, blood. What is interesting too, like thinking about one of your early sermons on Abel and how his blood cried out from the ground. This concept of like blood being on the ground, there's there's this the file the ground seems this inanimate object is affected by it. And we don't often think in those terms. We don't often think in those terms, even though here in our area we take the ground very seriously. There are many of us, many of you who make your living on the ground, you know, planting and and we know how important it is to have good, clean soil, but What is interesting able is blood cried out from the like blood being on the ground the file the ground this inanimate object affected by it. We don't often think of those terms. We don't often think of those terms. Even though here in our area we think the ground are seriously for many of us, many of you who make your living on the ground, you're living in and we know how important it is to have clean soil. But think about spiritual clean, right? God says look blood shed Think about spiritually clean here, right? God says, look, bloodshed pollutes the ground. God takes very seriously the taking of lives. Right? I mean, that's all the way through the law from the very beginning. It's not okay just to go kill people because you want to. Well, that's what I just read something about Noah and the covenant, and how you know, after he tells Noah, like, hey, you guys, the animals are for you to eat, but you're gonna have to give an account for for any bloodshed. Exactly. loops the ground. God takes very seriously the taking of lives. Right? I mean that's all the way through the law very beginning. It's not okay just to go kill people if you guys don't want to. Well that's why I just Noah to tell how, you know, after he tells Noah like, hey you guys the animals are great, but you're gonna have to give them for for any bullshit. Exactly. Exactly. And so here in numbers thirty five at the end. God says don't loop the land very much because I live with Exactly. And so here in Numbers 35 at the end, God says to people, don't pollute the land where you are, because I live with you. God says, I'm living with you in this land. And we know how important the land of Israel is. This is the promised land. And so you've got these cities of refuge where the person who accidentally killed someone else can go and flee until there's a trial so that they're not killed by the Avenger of Blood. Otherwise, the Avenger of Blood, they have this really serious job to take care of the land. Now, God says, I'm living with you in this land. And we know how important the land of Israel is. This is the promised land. And so you've got these cities of refuge where the person who accidentally killed someone else can go and flee until there's a trial so that they're not killed by the Avenger of Blood. Otherwise the Avenger of Blood ain't just really serious job to take care of the land. Now, why do we talk about cities of refuge and Avengers of blood in this kind of pipes of the shadows sort of Why do we talk about cities refuge and avengers of blood in this kind of types and shadows sort of discussion? Well, as we think about what Jesus has done, we know that he paid the penalty for our sins with his blood, right? Over and over and over in the New Testament, we hear about the blood of Jesus Christ. We sing songs about the blood of Jesus Christ and how this is our salvation. The blood of Jesus covers all. And in fact, we can see some of the changes that the blood of Jesus brings. Well, as we think about what Jesus has done, we know that he paid the penalty for our sin with his blood, right? Over and over and over in the New Testament, we hear about the blood of Jesus Christ. We sing songs about the blood of Jesus Christ and how this is our salvation. The blood of Jesus covers all. And in fact, we can see some of the changes that the blood of Jesus brings when we look at some of the writings of Paul. Paul wrote to the church in Rome as the church was growing. When we look at some of the writings of Paul. Paul wrote to the church in Rome as the church was growing in the decades after Jesus' death on the cross, resurrection, and ascension into heaven. Paul is writing to the church in Rome. And here, this is really interesting as Paul is interpreting for the Roman church what their duty is now, how they're supposed to live. In Romans chapter 12, Paul says, verse 17, do not repay anyone evil for evil. Okay, now Jesus. Paul is written in the church in Rome. And here, this is really interesting as Paul is interpreting for the Roman church what their duty is now, how they're supposed to live. In Romans chapter twelve, Paul says, verse seventeen, Do not repay anyone evil for evil. We talked about this, I mentioned this a little bit on Sunday in the Beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5, 6, 7, 8. Jesus talks Okay, now Jesus, we talked about this, I mentioned this a little bit on Sunday, and the Beatitudes of the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew five, six, seven, eight. about some of these ideas, but here here's Paul, several decades after Jesus, applying this for the church. He says, Don't repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. And then this is Romans twelve eighteen. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. And then here is Romans twelve, nineteen, which really applies to this. Jesus talks about some of these ideas. But here's Paul, several decades after Jesus, applying this to the church. He says, Don't repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. And then this is Romans 12, 18. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, peace with everyone. And then here is Romans 12, 19, which really applies to this cities of refugee rather than flooding. Do not take revenge, my dear friend, but leave room for God's wrath. Cities of refuge, avenger of blood thing. Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath. For it is written, It's mine to avenge, I will repay, says the Lord. So, in other words, the avenger of blood is now shifted. As Paul is looking at things and instructing the folks in Rome, the avenger of blood is now shifted from like the oldest family member who needs to make sure that he takes things into his hands so that the ground is not polluted. For it is written, it's mine to avenge, I will repay, says the Lord. So in other words, the Avenger of Blood is now shifted as Paul is looking at things and instructing the folks in Rome. The Avenger of Blood is now shifted from the oldest family members who needs to make that he takes things into his hands or then the ground is not completed. Now God says it is mine to avenge to avenge. Mine to avenge. Because the blood of Christ and what he's done, and because Jesus is the fulfillment of the law, now God says, It is mine to revenge, to avenge, mine to avenge, I will repay, says the Lord. And then that's when that's when in the book of Romans it says, On the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him, if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head. And then Romans 12, 21, do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. So the blood of Christ. I will repay, says the Lord. And then that's when that's when in the book of Romans it says, on the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him, he's thirsty, he needs something to drink. In doing this, you will keep burning colors on his head. And then Romans twelve twenty-one, do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. So the blood of Christ makes a change in the way that we understand some of the details at all, in that the Avenger of blood is no longer the big brother or the or the powerful uncle or the father of the person that makes a change in the way that we understand some of the details of the law, in that the avenger of blood is no longer the big brother or the or the powerful uncle or the father of the person who died. But now God says, no, I'm going to take care of that. And that's a big challenge for me. Do I trust God to work this all out? Do I trust God to take justice into his own hands? But then just in case we're not entirely clear in Romans 13, Paul continues on and Paul talks about But now God says, No, I'm gonna take care of that. And that's a big challenge for me. Do I trust God to work this all out? Do I trust God to take justice into his own hands? But then just in case we're not entirely clear, Romans 13, Paul continues on, and Paul talks about worldly government. Because what Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome, the Christians in Rome were not in charge of the Roman government, they were under the Roman Empire. Most of us here. Worldly governments. Because when Paul wrote to the Christians in Rome, the Christians in Rome were not in charge of the Roman government. They were under the Roman Empire. Most of us here, you and I at least, sitting in You and I at least sitting in Waterway Church today, and most of you will think to us we are not in charge of our local government, that we have a voice in that, we are not the people say in that. Here is what Paul says in Romans thirteen. I challenge you to think about how this goes back to some of these ideas of vengeance and avengers of blood Waterway Church today, and most of you listening to us, we are not in charge of our local government, though we have a voice in that. We are not the final say in that. Here is what Paul says in Romans 13. I challenge you to think about how this goes back to some of these ideas of vengeance and avengers of blood and cities of refuge. and cities of refugees. In Romans thirteen, he says, Be subject to the governing authorities. In other words, Christians, follow after the governing authorities. Now of course In Romans 13, he says, be subject to the governing authorities. In other words, Christians, follow after the governing authorities. Now, of course, the law of God is supreme, The law of God is supreme, so if the governing authorities tell you to do something ungodly, listen to God first. But otherwise, as long as the laws don't contradict God's word, we follow the governing authorities. Romans 13 3. For rulers, that is the governing authorities here on earth, rulers hold no tarot so if the governing authorities tell you to do something ungodly, you listen to God first. But otherwise, as long as the laws don't contradict God's word, we follow the governing authorities. Romans 13 3. For rulers, that is the governing authorities here on earth, rulers hold no terror for those who do right. for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be afraid to fear the one in authority? Then do what is right and be commended. For the one in authority is God's servant for your good. But for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you'll be commended. For the one in authority is God's servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid. This is Romans 13 4. If you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God's servants, agents of wrath. Agents of wrath. That almost sounds like an avenger of blood, doesn't it? Agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. But if you do wrong, be afraid. If you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God's servants, agents of wrath. Agents of wrath. That almost sounds like an avenger of blood, doesn't it? Agents of wrath are punishment from the wrongdoer. And so here Paul is just saying, okay, church folks, be careful. Don't avenge all these criminals. God says, I am going to be the avenger. Don't take And so here Paul is just saying, okay, church folks, be careful. Don't avenge all these criminals. God says, I am going to be the avenger. Don't take revenge. And then we see that God has instituted earthly authorities to help to uphold this law, which means we are not supposed to be people fighting for anarchy, overthrow the government. Get them out of here. That's not that's not what God calls us to either. So just some interesting stuff. And I would challenge you guys, and and we've been thinking about this a little bit. What does it look like to live where we live? And then we see that God has instituted earthly authorities to help to uphold this policy. We're not supposed to be fighting for anarchists. That's not that's not what God wants us to do either. So just some interesting stuff around chat with you guys. And thinking about this a little bit. What does it look like to live where we live? To be under the walls that we're under, to be considering the Old Testament and the New Testament, trying to be thoughtful about how we should live, how we think about Jesus, tell a tale it is about Jesus. Be under the laws that we're under, to be considering the old testament and the new testament, trying to be thoughtful about how we should live and how we think about Jesus, how we tell others about Jesus. There's a lot of stuff here to work our way through. And I thought it was just really interesting to think about this city as a refuge and the Avenger of blood. Yeah. What do you think, Javon? Sounds sounds sounds good. I was I was I mean, I was thinking about it's interesting it brings up just that wrath and how I've been reading I've been reading a couple a couple areas, There's a lot of stuff we can to work our way through and I thought it was really interesting to think about the series of retribution. Well, yeah. What do you think? Sounds sounds sounds good. I was I was I mean I was thinking about it's interesting he brings up just that and how I've been reading I've been reading a couple a couple of areas in the Bible. In the Bible that talk about how we were saved from the coming wrath. Mm-hmm. And there's Romans chapter five and also in First Thessalonians. And just this idea, like, you know, we, we need, we have offended God by not obeying the law. We are deserving of the penalty of death. And the only solution for that penalty of death is that someone had to die. Yeah. Just this idea of like, you know, we we we have offended God by not obeying law. We are deserving of death. And the solution for that time of death is that someone had to die the blood of Christ, right? Only blood can cover blood, right? Otherwise everything's polluted, everything's spoiled, yeah. Yeah, right. So it's interesting if you talk about that with the connection out of my head, I think. The blood of Christ, right? Right. Only blood can cover blood, right? Otherwise everything's polluted, everything's spoiled. Yeah. As we see in Romans. It's interesting as you were talking about that. I was connecting that in my head. I think it it's you know, we we need a Jesus to die to save us from the coming wrath. And and be it that if you are not saved, you are not like if you're not in Christ's blood, you're not saved from that coming wrath. Exactly right. But anyway. You are in great danger, as it says, you know. It's you know, we we need Jesus to die to save us from the coming wrath. And and be it that you are not saved. You are not like if you're not in my life, you're not saved from that coming wrath. That's exactly right. But you are in great danger, as it says you know if you do wrong, right be afraid. Right. The rulers don't bear the sword for no reason. They are God's servants, agents are wrath in punishment at all. Yeah. So that's what we If you do wrong, be afraid. Right. For the rulers don't bear the sword for no reason. They are God's servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Yeah. So that's a little bit of Numbers thirty five. Thinking today about cities of refuge, the avenger of blood, and all kinds of other dramatic titles. keep digging, church. Keep digging into these into these ideas and and we'll think about how these things all connect together. But ultimately we're gonna look to Jesus to be our example, to be the fulfillment of the old testament, and to be our filter through which we see everything else. So Thinking today season refugees, the evangelical blood, all kinds of other dramatic titles. dig in, church, dig into these into these ideas and and we'll think about how do we think all things together so ultimately we're gonna look to Jesus to be our temple, to be the fulfillment of the old testament, and to be our filter from which we see everything else. So that's it for today. Hey church, have a blessed rest of your week and a blessed rest of your day. I hope that you'll continue to dig in. Keep serving Jesus. We'll see ya. Amen. That's it for today. Hey, church. Have a blessed rest of your week and a blessed rest of your day. I hope that you'll continue to dig in. Keep serving Jesus. We'll see ya.