19  In the same way that the city of refuge was for the one who committed murder accidentally - through no fault of his own the sacrifice of Christ is for us who die, even though we have not sinned in the same way as Adam (Rom 5:14)

Six cities of refuge were allocated, three to the east of the Jordan and three to the west.  In the case of accidental death, the one who caused that death could flee (for his life) to one of these cities.  There, the elders would ascertain that he was indeed innocent (Josh 20:4 ), and if so be allowed to stay.  The law of sanctuary had been established earlier (Exo 21:12,13) and was open to Israelites and strangers alike (Num 35:15).

 V.11-12 If a charge of wilful murder were established, then the criminal lost all right of sanctuary; he was then escorted back home, there to be handed over to the avenger of blood. A murderer could not buy back his own life by paying a ransom, no matter how substantial. (Num 35:31)

19:19      The objective was to highlight God’s righteousness. He was affronted by the evil behaviour of a man – the man who had lied did not ‘love his neighbour’  Lev 19:18

t 19:10 The provision of the cities of refuge was so that innocent blood would not be shed. God, knowing the effects of human nature and the desire for revenge in the heat of the moment, made provision which took account of human nature. As such the cities of refuge patterned the provision of Jesus who can save us despite our human nature.

19:1    Notice it  is ‘when’ not ‘if’ Israel are given possession of the land. When  Israel came to the border of the land for the first time the ten spies did not even consider  ‘If’. They were certain. But certain that ‘we be not able …’  Num 13:31.  Notice the contrast between Man’s and God’s confidence!

Vs.2,3 The six cities of refuge were not appointed at the same time. First, three cities were appointed. These cities ( Bezer - Reuben; Ramoth-gilead - Gad; Golan - Manasseh) were on the east side of the Jordan where Reuben, Gad and half of Manasseh had already established their territories.

19:11-13 Whilst God made provision for protection of the innocent – so to speak by them being ‘in Christ’ that provision did not allow for wilful crimes to go unpunished. Likewise we should not reason ‘let us continue in sin that grace may abound’ Rom 6:1

Vs.5,6 Today, this would be equivalent to involuntary manslaughter where one person did not intend to kill another. The person who caused the death might be jailed but his life would be spared even in jurisdictions that have the death penalty.  

Vs.11,12 Here is a case of murder, a pre-meditated intention to kill.  Today, the murderer might face the death penalty the places that have it.  

Vs.16-19 These verses emphasize the complete hypocrisy and perversion of justice that took place at the trial of Jesus. The Jewish authorities conspired to bring false witness to testify against Jesus (Matt 26:59).  They willingly ignored their own law.

Individual sin; national responsibility

v10 and v13 suggest that there was a national responsibility for the behaviour of individuals. This is borne out in such examples as Judg 20:12-13 where a whole tribe was ultimately held responsible for not admistering the justice described here. Notice the same wording: "that we may remove the evil from Israel" (v19)

Deut 19:2,3,9 - The mention of 3 and 3 cities of refuge reminds us of how Christ, who rose from the pit after 3 days, is our refuge (along with God, his father) so that we have an escape from sin and death overtaking us.

Deut 19:15 - The Sanhedrin couldn't find testimony of witnesses to agree when they tried Christ (Mark 14:55-59).

19:17 Notice that in a matter of judgement ‘both’ those involved in the dispute must be seen together – Prov 18:17

V.5  Even modern science cannot negate what is said here.  Consider the dismal track record of weather forecasting in not knowing the path of the wind.  Although medical science understands a lot about gestation it is still considered a miracle.  Who, therefore, can understand the mind of God? (Rom 11:34).  

11:7-8 The preacher is, in these verses, telling us that there is more to life than enjoyment. We do well to heed this instruction.

V.9 - Enjoy life when you are young and follow the ways of your heart, and whatever your eyes see, but know that for your behavior (be it favorable or unfavorable) you will be brought to "judgment" [Heb. "mishpat" (4941) means "a verdict (favorable or unfavorable), divine law", etc.]. Perhaps we have some clarification two verses later in Ecc 12:1 - "Remember your creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come..." - thus one's focus as a young man should be on enjoying the gift of life, youth, and the beauty of God's creation but with a firm spiritual foundation provided from childhood on so we remain on course throughout life with our eyes focused on Christ.  Rom 12:1-3 - we are urged in view of God's mercy to be living sacrifices (denying our fleshly desires when they are not in harmony with the Word of God) in this mortal life and to not conform to the pattern of the world but to be transformed and humble.

11:4 The simple description of how a man should not be deterred from necessary activity because of the weather stands as a stark warning for us in spiritual matters. Just because we find Bible reading, for example, inconvenient we should not neglect the task.

11:10   Whilst he book o Ecclesiastes has presented a picture which shows life as ‘vanity’  he now says ‘remove  sorrow’.  Despite the seeming emptiness of life we have no reason to be sorrowful. The repetitive vanity is designed to develop a Christ like character in us. So the ‘sorrow’ brought into the world by Adam’s transgression can be removed by faith in Christ.

11:6,  God is in control of nature so we do not know how it will be in the short term. However we know that God has set the seasons – Gen 1:14 – therefore sowing and harvest is determined by God. Likewise our preaching. We do not know who is ‘suitable’ and who is not ‘suitable’ to hear the gospel. Therefore sow the seed everywhere and God will ‘give the increase’ – 1Cor 3:7

Vs.9,10 Although the word youth is found in both these verses, they do not come from the same Hebrew word.  In v.9, the first youth comes from the same Hebrew word as childhood in v.10 (yaldut).  Childhood is the correct translation. The second youth in v.9 has both masculine and feminine forms which mean young men and young women (bechurim ;bechurot).  The word youth in v.10 means juvenility, literally dawning (of mature life) (shacharut).

11:9 The quotation from 15:39 is a sobering warning because Israel were warned not to walk in the sight of their own eyes but in a way instructed by God. So the challenge of life is to walk in ways which do not bar one from entry into the kingdom – typified by those in Num 13 whose walk barred them from their inheritance.

10:25,35 ‘meet’  ‘worketh righteousness’ quotes Isa 64:5. There are other links with Isaiah in this section of Acts highlighting the call of Cornelius was predicted beforehand.

10:1 The baptism of the Ethiopian – Acts 8:38  shows a son of Ham accepting the gospel. Now the centurion of the ‘Italian band’ – a son of Japheth – is baptized. The apostles were of Shem. So we see the gospel,. Typically, has been preached to the sons of Shem, Ham and Japheth

10:23   Peter, in taking others with him, was in a position where there were at least ‘two witnesses’ to vouch for what happened.

Vs.1,2 Cornelius was part of a cohort of Italians who was centered at Caesarea. These men had special duties as bodyguards to the Roman procurator. Cornelius and his household were proselytes to the Jewish faith. There were, apparently, quite a number of other similar proselytes at the time. Although a gentile, and uncircumcised, Cornelius believed in the God of Israel and was kindly disposed to the Jewish people. It was Peter’s job to introduce Cornelius to Jesus.  He expounded unto him the way of God more perfectly as Aquila and Priscilla did to Apollos (Acts 18:26).

10:1 Acts 1:8has Jesus telling the apostles to preach in all the world. Now the gospel has typically gone as far as Rome as this man was Italian.

Vs.5,6 Peter was living with Simon the tanner in Joppa. Jews did not, generally, find tanning a desirable occupation. The odors, in the process of tanning, are overwhelmingly unpleasant. Besides, Jews might have to process animals that were ritually unclean.

Tanning establishments were always found near the sea in the Ancient Near East. First, the sea breezes would waft away the terrible smells; and, second, salt water was readily accessible to wash the hides. Joppa (Jaffa) lies on the Mediterranean coast just south of modern Tel Aviv.

10:11The way in which the heavens were opened is as if the prayer of Isaiah – Isa 64:1– has been answered and the gospel is to be preached to those who had not previously sought God – Isa 65:1.