Joshua 20 – The Cities of Refuge
Joshua 21 – The Cities for Priests and other Levites
Thoughts about serving others
This link includes a list of posts about Serving the Least, the Lost, and the Lonely.
My prayer is for you to join me on this journey. Subscribe to this blog below to get an email when a new post is available.
Let the Word evoke words. May your life encourage lives.
A rather interesting concept: Cities of Refuge. For those who unintentionally or accidentally kill another, they have a place to escape. “When they flee to one of these cities, they are to stand in the entrance of the city gate and state their case before the elders of that city” (Joshua 20:4). I imagine the group of elders is comprised of those who are empathetic to the cause of the fleeing brother. They protect the accidental killer until a fair trial has taken place. Interesting.
The Levites receive no inheritance…we read this over and over again as a reminder that they are not to possess land, they are to focus on service the Lord our God. Looking at the map, we notice there are three broad areas for the Levites to cover: Kohathites, Gershonites and Merarites.
The concluding words of chapter 21 are significant and amazing.
That’s not to say there weren’t issues that had to be addressed, problems with several of the inhabitants that did not leave, those who became laborers for the Israelites. Written long after the crossing, the author recognizes God’s hand and fulfillment of his promises. So easy to see in hindsight. Lord help me to recognize your attention to the details of my life even as they happen in the present. Your promise is great and trustworthy!