“Now tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed Moses.” –Joshua 20:2

God had told Moses to set aside six “cities of refuge” placed strategically throughout the land(Numbers 35:10-15). These cities belonged to the Levites, who were the guardians of the law. Refuge was offered to those who had caused accidental death(Joshua 20:3), not to those who had committed premeditated murder(Numbers 35:16-21). Once in the safe city, the man who had killed someone accidentally would stand trial by the community(Joshua 20:6). Those found innocent were given a place to live among the people there.

What a picture! There are things we do that we know are wrong, and there are sins we commit by accident. When this happens, God is our just judge. We may flee to him, for he has provided a “city of refuge” for…