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The Daily Word of Righteousness
Not Under the Law but Under Grace, #7
When a man shall have in the skin of his flesh a rising, a scab, or bright spot, and it be in the skin of his flesh like the plague of leprosy; then he shall be brought unto Aaron the priest, or unto one of his sons the priests: (Leviticus 13:2)
Laws regarding leprosy. There were strict rules governing the person who contracted leprosy.
The rules governing the leper are not mentioned in the writings of the Apostles of the new covenant. We do know that our Lord Jesus healed many lepers and that He always touched them.
Laws governing slavery. Under the Law of Moses slaves were considered to be the property of the person who purchased them or who gained them as booty in war. While the ownership of a slave was considered valid, there were limits placed on the degree of harshness the owner could apply.
And if a man smite his servant, or his maid, with a rod, and he die under his hand; he shall be surely punished. (Exodus 21:20)
A distinction was made between a Hebrew servant and a Gentile servant.
And if thy brother, an Hebrew man, or an Hebrew woman, be sold unto thee, and serve thee six years; then in the seventh year thou shalt let him go free from thee. (Deuteronomy 15:12) And when thou sendest him out free from thee, thou shalt not let him go away empty: (Deuteronomy 15:13) Thou shalt furnish him liberally out of thy flock, and out of thy floor, and out of thy winepress: of that wherewith the Lord thy God hath blessed thee thou shalt give unto him. (Deuteronomy 15:14)
How did the Apostle Paul view slavery?
Let every man abide in the same calling wherein he was called. Art thou called being a servant? care not for it [do not be concerned about it]: but if thou mayest be made free, use it rather. For he that is called in the Lord, being a servant, is the Lord's freeman: likewise also he that is called, being free, is Christ's servant. Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men. (I Corinthians 7:20-23)
Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed. And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort. (I Timothy 6:1,2)
The preceding passage is not the same as the Old Testament passages that discuss slavery. We conclude that the laws of slavery are not to be carried into the new covenant.
Cities of refuge, murder. Whoever killed someone intentionally was to be put to death.
Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death. (Numbers 35:31)
Because of the possibility of accidental death, God provided a number of cities of refuge where the man that caused the death could be protected against the avenger of blood—a relative seeking vengeance for the murder.
And among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites there shall be six cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint for the manslayer, that he may flee thither: and to them ye shall add forty and two cities. (Numbers 35:6)
The cities of refuge were an important aspect of the Law of Moses. It does not seem likely they are to be part of the new covenant. The Lord Jesus Christ is our City of Refuge.
To be continued.