Numbers 35-36

“These six towns will be a place of refuge for Israelites and for foreigners residing among them, so that anyone who has killed another accidentally can flee there” (35:15). As God’s special people, the Israelites were commanded to set up their lives in the Promised Land with careful attention to both justice and mercy. While intentional murder was punishable by death, those who killed others accidentally could flee to a “city of refuge,” to be protected from mob or family vengeance.

“Six of the towns you give the Levites will be cities of refuge ...”. Like the Levites, dedicated to the Lord’s work, God’s people are called to be points of refuge in a difficult world.