The Spiritual Significance of The Blood of the Avenger

By Lee Warren, B.A., D.D.

(c) Jan.-Feb. 1995 PLIM REPORT

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See Related Articles: Carnal Ordinaces

Under the Law of Moses, Yahweh allowed for one instance of justifiable murder. A victims family could take vengeance on the perpetrator who killed their relative. In fact, many Gentile nations and tribes believed in this means of carrying out justice from the inception of man. According to the Dictionary of the Bible by James Hastings: The practice of blood-revenge is one of the most widely spread customs of human society, and is by no means confined to the Semitic races, although it is still found in full vigor among the Arabs. By the Bedouin of Sinaitic peninsula, for instance, the vendetta is kept up to the fifth generation ... (p. 550). As these tribes became modern nations, the court systems took over the function of justice from these nations and did not leave it to the individual victims family or the elders of the tribes.

The intent of this article is to show the spiritual reality of the Israelites version of family revenge and how it is carried out under the New Covenant.

What is the 'Blood of the Avenger'?

The Law of Moses said that a willful murderer must be killed by the victims closest next of kin. The avenger didnt need permission from a jury nor did he have to wait for a trial. He could kill the murderer on the spot. The next of kin executing this vengeance was called the redeemer of blood. In Hebrew the avenger was called goel haddam. Now Moses wrote: The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him (Num. 35:19).

Yahwehs purpose behind this vengeance on a murderer reflected His vengeance on evil should it occur within Israel. There was supposed to be swift retribution within Israel to eradicate evil. This was done to bring about a reverence of Yahweh and to prevent the wrath of Yahweh from descending upon the whole body of Israel which is holy (Deut. 23:14).

Did Abels murder show that the Blood of the Avenger' was in effect from man's inception?

Cains murder of his brother Abel shows that the Blood of the Avenger was in effect before the giving of the Law to Moses and the Israelites at Mt. Sinai (Gn. 4:1-8). When Yahweh asked Cain where was his brother, Cain stated: I know not: Am I my brothers keeper (Gn. 4:9-10)? Yahweh replied: ... the voice of thy brothers blood crieth unto me from the ground. Here we have Abels blood crying from the ground for vengeance and everyone knows that blood cant cry. Abels blood symbolically represents Abels soul crying out to Yahweh for justice.

Yahweh cursed Cain who stated his punishment was greater than he could bear. Cain stated: Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me (Gn. 4:14).

He knew that his brothers and sisters would take vengeance on him for killing Abel. To prevent this Yahweh placed a mark on Cain. And Yahweh (the Lord) said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold ... (Gn. 4:15).

Moses wasnt allowed to describe the mark that was placed on Cain. It was not until after Pentecost that the Apostle John saw the mark, 666, in a vision and wrote the "number of a man" in the book of Revelation (Rev. 13:18).

What this proves is that the principle of vengeance was a part of mans psyche from the beginning and is universal. The student of divine metaphysics and the scriptures must understand that Yahweh always champions the cause of the down trodden and the under dog so that He can show his power in resurrecting them (2 Cor. 12:9-10).

Did Yahweh seek vengeance on King Ahab for murdering Naboth?

Yahweh avenged the murder of Naboth, whose vineyard or inheritance was taken by King Ahab, and his wife Jezebel (1 Kgs. 21:1-16; 16:33). The Word of Yahweh (Elohim) came to Eliyah, the prophet, and told him that Ahab, his wife, and sons would be punished. (1 Kgs. 21:17-26). Now Ahab repented when he ard the words of Eliyah and because of Ahab's sorrow Yahweh said that these prophecies would not happen to him (1 Kings 21:27-29). However, his wife and sons would experience the wrath of Yahweh after Ahab's death. Jehu who was anointed king of Israel by Elishas disciples carried out or fulfilled the Blood of the Avenger. He told Ahab that Yahweh said: Surely I have seen yesterday the blood of Naboth, and the blood of his sons, saith Yahweh (the Lord); and I will requite thee in this plat, saith Yahweh (the Lord). Now therefore take and cast him into the plat of ground, according to the word of Yahweh (the Lord, 2 Kgs. 9:26).

How was the Blood of the Avenger fulfilled with the Messiah?

The Messiah in His ministry spoke about the vengeance of Yahweh in a parable. He states: Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not Elohim (God), neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not Elohim (God), nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And Yahweh (the Lord) said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not Elohim (God) avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth (Luke 18:2-8)?

Did the Apostle John see the elect avenged?

The Apostle John saw the elect asking Yahshua the Messiah to avenge their blood in his vision in the of book Revelation. And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of Elohim (God), and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Yahweh (Lord), holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled (Rev. 6:9-11).

Clearly the elect praying for vengeance compares to the family that sought vengeance for their murdered relative, but in this case Yahweh carries out the vengeance instead of the next to kin. It was after the resurrection of the Messiah and Pentecost that the high priests and the elders of Israel killed and persecuted many of the elect (Acts 8:1; 9:1). The persecution of Elohim's body continues today and the sons continually cry out for vengence.

What is the spiritual reality of the Blood of the Avenger under the New Covenant?

Before his conversion Paul was a disciple of the elders of Israel and participator in this persecution. Yahshua the Messiah appeared to him in a vision on the road to Damascus and said: ... I am Yahshua (Jesus) whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks (Acts 9:5)." A bright light engulfed Paul, he was thrown off his ass, and Paul was converted.

After this he began to see the spiritual reality of the scriptures. Paul compares Yahwehs vengeance on evil with a minister of Elohim who destroys a lie with the sword of truth. For he is the minister of Elohim (God) to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of Elohim (God), a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil (Rom. 13:4).

This is especially true when the Messiah will be revealed from heaven for Paul stated: And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Savior Yahshua (Lord Jesus) shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not Elohim (God), and that obey not the gospel of our Savior Yahshua the Messiah (Lord Jesus Christ, II Th. 1:7-8). So clearly the intent of the Blood of the Avenger manifests a universal principle. A quick, unmerciful death shows mankind how the Spirit of Elohim operates on those that perform evil or disobey Spirit Law.

Suppose the killing was accidental?

Yahweh in his infinite mercy accounted for all contingencies. If the victims death were accidental, the involuntary killer had to flee to a city of refuge or be killed by the Blood of the Avenger.' It was within a city of refuge that the elders of the city would do an inquiry and establish the truth of the matter.

If the unintentional killer did not reach the city of refuge in time, his death would be as sure as if he fell from the roof of a building. The Law of gravity takes swift vengeance on anyone that violates it for whatever reason, (accident, an intentional push, suicide, etc.). So, someone who was sorry for violating gravity would not alter or change one thing as he pleaded for mercy on the way down to the ground. The penalty would still be swift death or injury.

What were 'cities of refuge'?

Yahweh commanded that six of the 48 cities given to the Levites for an inheritance be established as 'cities of refuge' (Deut. 4:41-43; Joshua 20:7). Moses wrote: 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 (Num. 35:6).

These cities were a: ... refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment (Num. 35:12). These six cities were located on each side of the Jordan River (Num. 35:14); three cities on each side. According to the tabernacle these cities would be located on each side of the 2nd Vail (Jordan River) in the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place. There were also 'cities of refuge' located in Egypt or the Court Round About.

What is the spiritual reality of the 'cities of refuge'?

The 'cities of refuge' represent protection from the wrath of Elohim for the souls in a resurrected state or shelter for them in the Messiah. In the land of Egypt the Israelites resided in Goshen which was their refuge from the last seven plagues that Yahweh poured out.

Paul said that we have refuge now while we are on earth in the Messiah through the two witnesses of the law and prophets. That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for Elohim (God) to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil (Heb. 6:18-19).

Heaven is a state of mind where peace and joy reign. Thus, becoming spiritually minded is the true city of refuge we must find to flee the confusion and strife on the earth plane. The Messiah told his disciples that He had to prepare a place for them which is the fulfillment of the earthly 'cities of refuge'. He told them: Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in Yahweh, believe also in me. In my Fathers house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also (John 14:1-3). He stated that this place of refuge is the Holy Place: "When ye therefore shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel the prophet, stand in the holy place, (whoso readeth, let him understand :(Matt. 24:15)."

The Apostle Paul said: Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints, To whom Elohim (God) would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is the Messiah (Christ) in you, the hope of glory (Col. 1: 26-27):

Who administered this justice?

The congregation of elders in the city of refuge had to hold a trial hearing to judge whether the manslayer was guilty or not. If the elders of the city found him guilty, then they would send for the avenger of blood so that he could execute judgment (Deut. 19:11-12). But if they found that the manslayer was innocent and he killed the person by accident, he would remain in the cities until the death of the high priest (Num. 35:24-25). If the avenger of blood caught the manslayer outside of the city of refuge, he could kill him (Num. 35:26-28).

The high priest under the Law typified the Messiah. So the death of the high priest typified the Messiahs death, which fulfilled and released Israel from the Law of Moses, the curse of death (Gal. 3:10). This allowed those that believed on the Messiah to be resurrected by the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and return to the heavenly state of mind that Adam and Eve had before the transgression. In the case of accidental murder, the death of the high priest released the killer from the vengeance of the victims family.

The Messiahs disciples administered justice over the twelve tribes of Israel during His ministry and they were likened unto elders of these 'cities of refuge'. Yahshua said: ...Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel (Matt. 19:28). It was the twelve apostles that judged Israel after the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which began this present age of Grace under the New Covenant.

What is the spiritual significance of the Blood of the Avenger?

Quick retribution manifests the speed at which Yahweh punishes the wicked. Under the Law of Moses, if Israel broke a Law and no one saw it, the instant punishment was condemnation often followed by physical plagues upon the entire body for the member that did not repent (Joshua 7th Chapter; 2 Sam. 24th Chapter).

Under the New Covenant we think there is no penalty for negative pursuits because we dont get struck by a bolt of lightening. If we expend all our spiritual energy in negative pursuits, our penalty is a stunted growth. We will not evolve to spiritual perfection. Spiritual energy is invisible and because we cant see it, we think that we have escaped our punishment. If we believe a lie, there is no growth in our wisdom or knowledge as with the truth. It results in further degradation of the soul. Really, the penalty has been just as swift and exacting as if we were hit by an object falling from a ten story building.

What universal principles are symbolized by the 'Blood of the Avenger'?

In conclusion, the 'blood of the avenger' imparts some very importance universal principles that all truth seekers must understand. The avenger typifies the wrath of Yahweh which will descend on anyone who violates it willfully or ignorantly. The manslayer who kills a family member typifies the soul or mind that violates universal laws. The person who has fled to one of the six 'cities of refuge' for protection represents a soul receiving mercy from the wrath of Yahweh or from His unerring universal laws.

The importance of these 'cities of refuge' can only be appreciated when the meaning of these cities are examined (see illustration below). We will show that these cities symbolize states of consciousness. For example, the Hebrew name for the city of Shechem means 'bending down'. This means that for a mind or soul to receive Yahweh's mercy and flee from His wrath requires a humbling or bending down. Once humility is achieved there can be friendship or uniting with the Spirit, which the city of Hebron represents. When the Spirit unites with the soul or mind, the soul or mind becomes a strong city, symbolized by Bezer. Now that the soul or mind has a place of refuge, or sanctuary it can praise the Spirit with a high perpetual testimony which corresponds to the cities Kedesh, Golan and Ramath in Gilead. We should all strive to achieve these states of refuge in our daily lives.

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