“God is a bunch of contradictions.”

So some say. They have trouble reconciling a God of love with a God of justice. They have issues with God being a God of love and yet demanding we, human that we are, live a life of purity and sacrifice. “How can a God whom you say is One of love send anyone to hell?” “If God is a God of Omniscience (all-knowing) how can He forget my past sins?”

I don’t pretend to know all the answers (how foolish would that be?). But in Numbers 35 there is a unique set-up put in place by God that shows His character. Please keep in mind that “God’s attributes never work in conflict with each other.” (Tripp-2/26-p.70) If you yawn, I mean read through Numbers, 🙂 you will find yourself approaching the next to last chapter in chapter 35. In this one incident we see God’s attributes working in tandem with each other. It is true that God expects His people to act differently. We see His love working in tandem with His holiness. We see His justice working with His holiness. We see His patience working with His desire for the salvation of His people.

In Numbers 35:6-12 God establishes what are called “cities of refuge.” These cities are designed to be just that…refuge. But not refuge for the brokenhearted, or the sick, or the dying, or anyone who is seeking rest. No. The cities of refuge were designed for those who accidentally killed someone. Not acts of anger or revenge, but accidents. I swing an axe and the head flies off striking you and killing you. We are joking around and I push you and you stumble and fall, hit your head and die. Justice by the family or even townspeople would likely be swift and “an eye for an eye” type of revenge. But cities of refuge were for those who accidentally caused the death to flee to until he/she could get a proper hearing. There were certain rules to abide by and they could not be broken. For example, the person was required to stay in the city. If he left for any reason and was found by a member of the family, his life could be taken. Sounds harsh but in reality it wasn’t.

Here is the point I am trying to make: God is uncompromisingly holy and sin is an affront to Him and needs to be dealt with. But this is not one of those situations. A city of refuge provides mercy where mercy is needed. God’s holiness and mercy are not in conflict but actually in tandem with each other. We see these two attributes come into play thousands of years later when a man who was more than a man (He was the Son of God) makes His way to a cross. God’s justice for sin is taken care of in this divine act of mercy.

Contradictory? Nope. I’m thankful for mercy and justice working together.