Cities of Refuge

Today's readings are in Numbers 35, 36

The essence of these chapters is summed up in the last verse of 36: "These are the commands and regulations the lord gave through Moses to the Israelites on the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho."

Again the instructions have to do with societal peace and it's sacred (holy) character. Because of sin in our fallen character there are bound to be societal crises. Murder is the biggy. Knowing that someone may intentionally kill another, God makes clear how society should act.

"'Do not pollute the land where you are. Bloodshed pollutes the land, and atonement cannot be made for the land on which blood has been shed, except by the blood of the one who shed it. Do not defile the land where you live and where I dwell, for I, the lord, dwell among the Israelites.'"

I don't think the issue is retribution, but one of societal safety and purity. Where intentionality exists the society is in danger.

But, in case of accidental homicide where there was no intentionality, the cities of refuge under the control of the Levites, and scattered throughout all of Israel, would serve as a place for safety and calm judgement to occur. Our laws mirror the Biblical principles here: "Anyone who kills a person is to be put to death as a murderer only on the testimony of witnesses. But no one is to be put to death on the testimony of only one witness."

What is at stake in all of this, including the next chapter's - seemingly unrelated - story is the order and safety of a society. society run on laws that do not protect life cannot expect God's favor, blessings, or protection.

Peace

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