Joshua 20:1-9


Just as God had instructed Moses, God now calls Joshua to designate cities of refuge in the different regions of Israel for the purpose of protecting those who accidentally killed another person.  These cities were to be a place of safety where a person could flee in order to gain protection from the person’s family who might be coming to avenge the blood of their loved one.  This was God’s means of providing for the protection of those who were truly innocent of premeditated or hateful murder but had taken the life of another purely by accident.  God is faithful to make provision for His people and to help them in times of desperation.  The principle of cities of refuge, demonstrate a couple of truths about the person of God.
THE PRECIOUSNESS OF HUMAN LIFE: Even in the case of accidental death, the family of the victim was permitted to avenge that death because the loss of life was a tragedy before both God and man.  However, since life was precious and the person was truly not guilty of intentional murder, provisions were made to be able to spare the life of the man who had caused the accident.  The elders of the city of refuge were called upon to be judges as to the innocence of the person seeking refuge and they were not allowed to harbor those who had truly murdered, but they were called upon to preserve the lives of those were innocent.  All life is precious to God and He has made provision, not only to preserve our physical lives on earth but to preserve our eternal lives with Him in heaven.  Christ is our refuge from sin and its consequences for Christ has taken the punishment of our sin that we can take refuge in Him.
THE PRINCIPLE OF FORGIVENESS: There was a time that the person was required to stay in the city of refuge, but once the high priest died, the person was allowed to return home and then the family members of the victim were not allowed to touch him anymore.  This demonstrates that God expected the people to eventually extend forgiveness to one another and allow the relationship between the two of them to be restored.  It may take time, but God truly does want us to be a forgiving people that our lives might not be plagued by bitterness and its consequences.  We who have taken refuge in Christ ought to be the first ones to extend forgiveness to those who harm and offend us.  The forgiven must be forgiving.

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