Safety First

The LORD said to Joshua, “Now tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed Moses. Anyone who kills another person accidentally and unintentionally can run to one of these cities; they will be places of refuge from relatives seeking revenge for the person who was killed. [Joshua 20.1-3]

For all the  about cities of refuge, I find today this one most interesting: Not only was it important not to kill someone intentionally, but according to the rules of the cities of refuge, it was important as well to try to avoid killing someone unintentionally. Otherwise, why would they have to stay in the city of refuge until the death of the priest?

Who would have ever thought that Bible would be a source of "safety-first" teaching?

So, although the punishment for negligence was not death (as it was for murder), there remained punishment just the same! That punishment was being legally bound to live in a city of refuge in order to avoid being reciprocated "an eye for an eye."

Of course, anyone found guilty of intentional death to another would be tried and punished by death anyway. But the cities of refuge allowed for protection for the killer if his killing was tried and found unintentional. But there was still the punishment of not being able to return home!

What is the point? Don't be responsible for the death of another (intentional or unintentional).

Father, there really is reason to exercise safety around other people. Thank You for revealing this "safety" lesson long before it was even popular!