Refuge cities are set up

This chapter deals with the setting aside of cities for the Israelites to take refuge. Please read this chapter in detail to appreciate the list of cities.

Joshua Chapter 20

The Lord said to Joshua to designate the cities of refuge as the Lord had instructed Moses. Anyone who kills another person unintentionally can run to one of these cities and be protected from the relatives of the one who was killed, for the relatives may seek to avenge the killing.

Upon reaching one of these cities, the one who caused the accidental death will appear before the leaders at the city gate and explain what happened. They must allow the accused to enter the city and live there among them. If the relatives of the victim come to avenge the killing, the leaders must not release the accused to them, for the death was accidental. But the person who caused the death must stay in that city and be tried by the community and found innocent. Then the one declared innocent because the death was accidental, must continue to live in that city until the death of the high priest who was in office at the time of the accident. After that, the one found innocent is free to return home. Verses 7-8 list the refuge cities.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: that a new nation needed a new government. Many years earlier God had told Moses how this government should function. One of the tasks God wanted done was to designate cities of refuge. These were to be scattered thoughout the land and their purpose was to prevent injustice, especially in cases of revenge. The Levites were in charge of these cities. They were to ensure that God’s principle of justice and fairness were kept.

How does this chapter relate to us today? Hard to relate to this concept of refuge cities, when we no longer have such cities nowadays. But we can point to the faithfulness of the Levites and of Joshua who made sure that the refuge cities were designated for the protection of those who were innocent of accidental killing.

Do you think you could forgive a person who accidentally killed one of your family or any loved one? Think about what a hard question that is to answer. Think how easy it would be to demand revenge for this action. But God wants us even today to have compassion on a person who kills accidentally. We are no better than the people of those times. But we can always count on God to see us through difficult times like this. All we need is a bit of faith or sometimes a lot of faith. Blessed are those who are able to forgive a killer; those who can dig deep inside their hearts and find compassion for the person who took their family member.

Yours in Christ,

Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH: Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents, Teli’s family, Logan and the newly born Stella who is taking mother’s milk now and Lori (who suffered a terrible accident)and her family. Update on Stella: She has gained four ounces, but there is still concern for her lungs.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, those who need jobs, those who are about to lose or have lost their homes. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.