City of Refuge

The total number of towns and pasturelands within Israelite territory given to the Levites came to forty-eight. [Joshua 21.41]

This is an odd verse to comment on today, but as I read through today's reading, I realized that with these 48 towns given to the Levites (priests) were included all six of the designated cities of refuge (described in Joshua 20.1-9).

I think this move was no random act or coincidence because the role of the city of refuge closely relates to the role of the priests. 

There is much to learn about the cities of refuge, but of most importance is that they were designated as such so that a person who accidentally killed someone could be given refuge from the family of the person who was killed. Evidently, by Jewish law, the "eye-for-an-eye" law was strictly adhered to and cities of refuge at least provided a fair inquiry as to whether the death was intentional or accidental. It was necessary however that the killer get to a city of refuge! Otherwise, the family of the dead person had every right to execute revenge according to the eye-for-an-eye law.

Upon a slayer's arrival to a city of refuge, there would be an inquiry made into the matter to determine if, indeed, the death was unintentional. This inquiry was guaranteed to the person who killed someone. However, regardless of the verdict of the inquiry, the person seeking refuge was required to stay in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest current to the time of the death in question.

By nature, the priest's role as advocate served best in this situation to render justice. Basically, it was the priests' role to determine if indeed the death was accidental or not.

I imagine living in a city of refuge made a difference in how people thought within each of those six cities designated as such as opposed to how people thought in cities not designated as a city of refuge.

These are just some observations today. I had never realized that the six refuge cities were also cities given to the Levites (priests).

Father, help me to understand the role of "priest" as it pertains to justice. Help me to consider the fact that I have been made a priest and king in Your kingdom!