RPG Adults
PREVENTION OF DOUBLE DEATH
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 19
Joshua 20
Galatians 5:19-21
“…they which do such things
shall not inherit
the kingdom of God.”
PREVENTION OF DOUBLE DEATH
The law of the cities of refuge was meant to protect life. The slayer would not be delivered to the avenger of blood. The motivation of the avenger was anger, not reason. The escape and protection that was given in the city of refuge was first to pacify the anger of the avenger and, second, to give time for justice to be done on both sides.
Accidental deaths also happen today, and the police would do the same thing that the elders of those cities did. Those elders were to bring the case before a court for right judgment. When it was proven that indeed that person had killed his neighbour without intention, he would not be allowed to return home immediately. He was to reside in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest who was in office at the time of the offence. After that, he was allowed to return. The cities were thus in effect government offices that attended to such civil matters. Joshua was thus to set aside those cities.
The first city was Kedesh in the land of Naphtali. This is distinguished from other cities with the same name. It was specifically the one in the land allocated to the tribe of Naphtali. The second city of refuge was Shechem in Mt Ephraim. It was a walled city near Mt Gerizim. It is mentioned severally in the life of the patriarchs. Abraham once camped there, and Jacob’s family resided there when they travelled from Haran. It was now within the heritage of Ephraim and made one of the cities of refuge. Kirjatharba, also called Hebron, rounded up the three cities west of Jordan that were set apart for refuge. It was here that Abraham and the other fathers were buried. It was also the first city that David occupied as king of Israel for seven years. In the east of Jordan was Bezer, in the heritage of Reuben. It was also strategic for the purpose it was appointed. The other one was Ramoth in Gilead belonging to the tribe of Gad. The last was Golan in the northern part in Bashan, the heritage of Manasseh. All were strategically placed.
THOUGHT: The cities of refuge represent salvation offered to the guilty, and forgiveness to all sinners through Christ.
PRAYER: Father, grant my desire for salvation and forgiveness.