The Lord also spake unto Joshua, saying,
Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses:
That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.
And when he that doth flee unto one of those cities shall stand at the entering of the gate of the city, and shall declare his cause in the ears of the elders of that city, they shall take him into the city unto them, and give him a place, that he may dwell among them.
And if the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver the slayer up into his hand; because he smote his neighbour unwittingly, and hated him not beforetime.
And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgment, and until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days: then shall the slayer return, and come unto his own city, and unto his own house, unto the city from whence he fled.
And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjath–arba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of Judah.
And on the other side Jordan by Jericho eastward, they assigned Bezer in the wilderness upon the plain out of the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead out of the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan out of the tribe of Manasseh.
These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them, that whosoever killeth any person at unawares might flee thither, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stood before the congregation.
Joshua 20 marks the fulfillment of a divine mandate, a testament to God's meticulous planning and compassionate provision for His people. As God had instructed Moses in Numbers 35:9-34, the establishment of cities of refuge was now paramount upon entering the Promised Land. This chapter details Joshua's obedience in selecting these cities (Joshua 20:1-2), a crucial step in ensuring justice and preventing the escalation of violence within the nation of Israel. These cities weren't merely geographical locations; they were symbols of God's grace, offering sanctuary to those who had unintentionally caused the death of another.
The Need for Refuge: Accidental Manslaughter and the Avenger of Blood
Imagine a scenario where an Israelite, through no malicious intent, accidentally caused the death of another person. In the absence of a legal framework, the victim's family, particularly a close relative known as the "avenger of blood," might seek retribution. This system, while rooted in a sense of justice, could easily lead to cycles of violence and vendettas. To prevent this, God instituted the cities of refuge.
The individual who committed manslaughter (Joshua 20:5) could flee to one of these designated cities, strategically positioned throughout Israel for accessibility. Upon arrival, the accused would present their case to the city elders at the city gate (Joshua 20:4). The city gate served as the central hub for legal proceedings and public discourse, where the elders, respected figures of authority and wisdom, gathered to adjudicate matters of justice.
Sanctuary and Due Process: Protection within the City
The elders were tasked with a weighty responsibility: to listen attentively to the accused's account and, if deemed legitimate, to provide a safe haven within the city walls. This protection was crucial. If the avenger of blood pursued the accused, the elders were forbidden from handing him over (Joshua 20:5). The city of refuge offered temporary immunity from immediate reprisal, ensuring the accused had the opportunity for a fair trial.
However, this sanctuary came with conditions. The individual was required to remain within the city until their case was fully investigated and adjudicated. Furthermore, they were bound to stay there until the death of the current high priest (Joshua 20:6). Only after the high priest's death could the individual return to their home and family, effectively symbolizing a cleansing and restoration.
The Significance of the High Priest's Death
The death of the high priest held profound significance. It represented a new era, a time of atonement and reconciliation. The high priest, serving as the mediator between God and the people, bore the weight of their sins. His death, therefore, signified a release from the past, allowing the individual who had sought refuge to return to society, free from the threat of vengeance.
Strategically Placed Havens: Accessibility for All
Joshua 20:7-9 details the establishment of these six cities of refuge throughout the land of Israel. The placement was deliberate and thoughtful, ensuring that no matter where an Israelite resided, a city of refuge was within reasonable traveling distance. This accessibility underscored God's unwavering commitment to justice and mercy for all His people.
A Reflection of God's Character
The cities of refuge offer a powerful glimpse into God's character. They demonstrate His commitment to both justice and mercy, recognizing the complexities of human fallibility and providing a pathway for reconciliation. This chapter serves as a reminder that God's grace extends even to those who have made mistakes, offering them a chance for redemption and restoration. Just as the cities of refuge provided physical sanctuary, God offers spiritual refuge to all who seek Him, a haven of peace and forgiveness in a world often marked by conflict and pain.
The Lord also spake unto Joshua, saying,
Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses:
That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.
And when he that doth flee unto one of those cities shall stand at the entering of the gate of the city, and shall declare his cause in the ears of the elders of that city, they shall take him into the city unto them, and give him a place, that he may dwell among them.
And if the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver the slayer up into his hand; because he smote his neighbour unwittingly, and hated him not beforetime.
And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgment, and until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days: then shall the slayer return, and come unto his own city, and unto his own house, unto the city from whence he fled.
And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjath–arba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of Judah.
And on the other side Jordan by Jericho eastward, they assigned Bezer in the wilderness upon the plain out of the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead out of the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan out of the tribe of Manasseh.
These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them, that whosoever killeth any person at unawares might flee thither, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stood before the congregation.
Joshua 20 marks the fulfillment of a divine mandate, a testament to God's meticulous planning and compassionate provision for His people. As God had instructed Moses in Numbers 35:9-34, the establishment of cities of refuge was now paramount upon entering the Promised Land. This chapter details Joshua's obedience in selecting these cities (Joshua 20:1-2), a crucial step in ensuring justice and preventing the escalation of violence within the nation of Israel. These cities weren't merely geographical locations; they were symbols of God's grace, offering sanctuary to those who had unintentionally caused the death of another.
The Need for Refuge: Accidental Manslaughter and the Avenger of Blood
Imagine a scenario where an Israelite, through no malicious intent, accidentally caused the death of another person. In the absence of a legal framework, the victim's family, particularly a close relative known as the "avenger of blood," might seek retribution. This system, while rooted in a sense of justice, could easily lead to cycles of violence and vendettas. To prevent this, God instituted the cities of refuge.
The individual who committed manslaughter (Joshua 20:5) could flee to one of these designated cities, strategically positioned throughout Israel for accessibility. Upon arrival, the accused would present their case to the city elders at the city gate (Joshua 20:4). The city gate served as the central hub for legal proceedings and public discourse, where the elders, respected figures of authority and wisdom, gathered to adjudicate matters of justice.
Sanctuary and Due Process: Protection within the City
The elders were tasked with a weighty responsibility: to listen attentively to the accused's account and, if deemed legitimate, to provide a safe haven within the city walls. This protection was crucial. If the avenger of blood pursued the accused, the elders were forbidden from handing him over (Joshua 20:5). The city of refuge offered temporary immunity from immediate reprisal, ensuring the accused had the opportunity for a fair trial.
However, this sanctuary came with conditions. The individual was required to remain within the city until their case was fully investigated and adjudicated. Furthermore, they were bound to stay there until the death of the current high priest (Joshua 20:6). Only after the high priest's death could the individual return to their home and family, effectively symbolizing a cleansing and restoration.
The Significance of the High Priest's Death
The death of the high priest held profound significance. It represented a new era, a time of atonement and reconciliation. The high priest, serving as the mediator between God and the people, bore the weight of their sins. His death, therefore, signified a release from the past, allowing the individual who had sought refuge to return to society, free from the threat of vengeance.
Strategically Placed Havens: Accessibility for All
Joshua 20:7-9 details the establishment of these six cities of refuge throughout the land of Israel. The placement was deliberate and thoughtful, ensuring that no matter where an Israelite resided, a city of refuge was within reasonable traveling distance. This accessibility underscored God's unwavering commitment to justice and mercy for all His people.
A Reflection of God's Character
The cities of refuge offer a powerful glimpse into God's character. They demonstrate His commitment to both justice and mercy, recognizing the complexities of human fallibility and providing a pathway for reconciliation. This chapter serves as a reminder that God's grace extends even to those who have made mistakes, offering them a chance for redemption and restoration. Just as the cities of refuge provided physical sanctuary, God offers spiritual refuge to all who seek Him, a haven of peace and forgiveness in a world often marked by conflict and pain.