Daily Lesson for March 27, 2020

Today’s Daily Lesson comes from Joshua chapter 20 verses 1 through 6:

Then the Lord spoke to Joshua, saying, 2 “Say to the Israelites, ‘Appoint the cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses, 3 so that anyone who kills a person without intent or by mistake may flee there; they shall be for you a refuge from the avenger of blood. 4 The slayer shall flee to one of these cities and shall stand at the entrance of the gate of the city, and explain the case to the elders of that city; then the fugitive shall be taken into the city, and given a place, and shall remain with them. 5 And if the avenger of blood is in pursuit, they shall not give up the slayer, because the neighbor was killed by mistake, there having been no enmity between them before. 6 The slayer shall remain in that city until there is a trial before the congregation, until the death of the one who is high priest at the time: then the slayer may return home, to the town in which the deed was done.’”

Today we are given the appointment of what were six cities of refuge in ancient Israel. These cities were set up in order to stem the blood feuding which marked law and order in the pre-civilized, clan-oriented society. The establishment of these cities of refuge is seen as a major societal development and a significant mark in that of jurisprudence as well. A distinction was now made between murder and manslaughter, and more could a blood relative freely avenge or “redeem” the loss of a loved one without due process, and trial, and mitigated punishment. And the death of a high priest meant a general amnesty for those who had killed without malice aforethought or intent. All this was done to limit bloodshed in the land and protect life in the community.

The Talmud, an ancient Jewish commentary, says the roads to these six cities were double-wide and well-groomed. Nothing was to stand in the way of someone seeking refuge.

Which raises a few questions: How wide are the raids to your city, or to your church, when it comes to those seeking refuge? And are the doors open? And is amnesty seen as a Biblically justified practice?


NOTE: We are reading the whole Bible through this year. Over the weekend we will finish up Joshua and begin the first five chapters of Judges.