The cities of refuge are an interesting study in the extent to which God asks us to go on behalf of others. You can read about them in Numbers 35. One would expect that if the slayer, the person who accidentally killed someone was found innocent of malicious intent, that the law would have required the avenger, the closest relative of the slain, to exercise restraint and not kill the slayer. And if the avenger killed the slayer, that their life would be forfeited, because they would be guilty of murder.
But the law demands that the slayer, the person who accidentally killed someone, be escorted safely to a city of refuge and live there until the death of the residing high priest. If they do not, and the avenger finds them and kills them, the avenger is not held responsible. Really? The innocent person is expected to give up their entire way of life so as not to tempt the anger of the family member of the deceased. What would our society be like today if we loved one another to such an extent...may The Church be a place where such sacrifice, such devotion is still thriving today!
Pastor Fred
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