172 Bye Bye Ute, Almost (Deut 19)

Excitement rained down over the weekend.
Followed by rain, raining down today.
After many years of great and loyal service, the ute mentioned in previous posts, has it's days numbered.
It will be shortly replaced by a new 15 year old young upstart.

You notice I call it an it.
Not a she.
Not a he.
It is a car after all.
No attachment at all.
Emotions? Bah!!

My wonderful dad in law has been brilliant in doing some running around for me.
He and Brett collected the new beast last Saturday afternoon.
I will collect it this Friday.
As calm as I am on the exterior, my inner me is a tad exhilarated.
Bouncy even.
But I have to remain indifferent to the whole process.
My persona demands it.
But I keep looking at the photos in the internet ad that haven't been removed.
I keep thinking of where I can take my new friend fishing.
I keep researching trailers because, well, because I'll need one.
The final days with my ute will go quickly.
I will rejoice to see the end of it.
But inside a bit of me will be sad.
The bit of me that worries each morning whether the ute will start or not.
It just won't know what to do now.......
Perhaps worry about where to go fishing next.
Roll on August.

Deuteronomy 19
The cities of safety.
3 cities set aside for the "manslayer".
The example given is that of a man blissfully hacking away at a tree with his axe and a friend.
"Oopsy"
Axe strikes friend, rendering him dead.
An accident.
No intent.
The usual penalty for killing someone was death.
But in the case of an accident, such as the example, a man can flee to the safe city and if he makes it, he can live there safely.
The flip of this though, is that if you "lay in wait" for your neighbour and kill him on purpose, then watch out.
A penalty against the crime must be paid.
And that penalty is final.

God shows that the people of Israel are cherished.
He does not want to lose one, particularly to such a heinous act.
Hence the swift, complete punishment.
Yet here He also continues to show His grace.
Stuff happens.
Accidents occur.
Safety is provided.
A way out, if you will.
For those who need it.
And those who need it, need to do something about it.
They need to act.
They have to get to the city.
Lest innocent blood be shed twice.

God's protection will grow as their territory grows.
Longer distances meant more cities.
Protection required fairness.
And it would appear that God had thought of everything.
Again.
Funny that.