Joshua
20:1-3 Then the
Lord said to Joshua, “Say to the people of Israel, ‘Appoint the cities of
refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses, that the manslayer who strikes
any person without intent or unknowingly may flee there. They shall be for you
a refuge from the avenger of blood.
The book of Joshua looks to
demonstrate the faithful obedience of Joshua to the instructions God gave to
Moses. Much of what we see him doing is reflected in the Pentateuch, especially
Deuteronomy.
The present passage goes beyond
simply emphasizing the obedience of Joshua. Here it reflects the nature of the
law as it applies to a newly formed urban community. No longer is Israel to be
seen as a nomadic people traveling from place to place throughout their
existence. Now they have a homeland, a permanent place to live.
Blood revenge had been a part of
their past life. It now stands as a hindrance to their living as a community.
Killing cannot be dismissed or handled lightly. Both the victim’s and the
accused’s needs had to be addressed, but differently.
The city of refuge is established to
deal with the problem of revenge. In this new system, God sets up for Israel an
institution to protect the man who is accused of a crime which he had not
planned and for which he had no motivation. Two legal steps are established.
First, the elders of the city hear his case and allow him to enter. The man
testifies to them of his innocence and that he acted without malice. Proven his
case, he remains in the city as a virtual prisoner. In service to the priest of
the city, he remains their safe to live his life. His restoration to a normal,
free life comes at the death of the priest.
Today Christians are to study God’s
Word for wisdom to address our social conditions. Wisdom begins with obedience
to God’s life style. We should reflect upon our whole understanding of crime
and punishment. Christians must take seriously its responsibility to examine
our penal institutions and practices. In doing this we will ensure that the
innocent man does not suffer unduly and that the guilty man is given sufficient
protection and hope for new opportunities as well as sufficient punishment.
