572 - Cities of Refuge

Cities of Refuge


“When the Lord, your God, destroys the nations, whose land He is giving to you, …you will take over their land …and settle in their towns and homes. 


Then, you must set apart three cities of refuge, in the land, that the Lord, your God, is giving you. 


Survey the territory, and divide the land, that the Lord, your God, is giving to you, into three districts, with one of these cities, in each district. 


Then, anyone, who has killed someone, can flee, to one of the cities of refuge, for safety. 


“If someone kills another person, unintentionally, without previous hostility, the slayer may flee to any of these cities, to live in safety. 


For example, suppose someone goes into the forest, with a neighbor, to cut wood. 


And suppose, one of them swings an ax, to chop down a tree, and the ax head flies off the handle, killing the other person. 


In such cases, the slayer may flee to one of the cities of refuge, to live in safety. 


“If the distance, to the nearest city of refuge, is too far, an enraged avenger, might be able to chase down and kill the person who caused the death. 


Then, the slayer would die unfairly, since he had never shown hostility toward the person, who died. 


That is why I am commanding you, to set aside three cities of refuge. 


“And if the Lord, your God, enlarges your territory, as He swore to your ancestors, and gives you all the land, that He promised them, …you must designate three additional cities of refuge. 


(He will give you this land, if you are careful to obey all the commands, that I have given you—if you always love the Lord your God and walk in his ways.) 


That way you will prevent the death of innocent people, in the land, that the Lord, your God, is giving to you, as your special possession. 


You will not be held responsible, for the death of innocent people. 


“But suppose someone is hostile toward a neighbor …and deliberately ambushes and murders him …and then flees, to one of the cities of refuge. 


In that case, the elders, of the murderer’s hometown, must send agents to the city, of refuge, to bring him back …and hand him over, to the dead person’s avenger, to be put to death. 


Do not feel sorry for that murderer! 


Purge, from Israel, the guilt of murdering innocent people; then all will go well with you. 


Deuteronomy 19:1–13 (NLT)


Praise be to God!


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