Today’s passage: Joshua 20:1-9
Helpful thoughts:
- Law was written and provision made for those who killed another without intent.
- Exodus 21:12-14, Numbers 35:9-29, Deuteronomy 4:41-43, Deuteronomy 19:1-10
- Even if accidental, life was still to be valued and avenged if the killer did not flee to one of these cities.
- Even if the killer fled to a city, if he was guilty of murder, he was to be put to death.
- Exodus 21:12-14, Numbers 35:9-29, Deuteronomy 4:41-43, Deuteronomy 19:1-10
- Three cities were designated on each side of the Jordan River, allowing for six cities in total.
Questions to consider:
- How is life to be valued, given that even accidental killing would certainly change someone’s life according to these God-given laws?
- Is it a good argument to say that “Thou shalt not kill” automatically means there should be no death penalty? What did these passages require?
- What does this special treatment show about the thoroughness of God’s justice? Does He consider motive and the heart of man or just the end results?