punishment of the murderer. "Whoso sheddeth man's blood, by man shall his blood be shed," was the decree of Jehovah. (Gen. 9:6).
The one nearest of kin to the murdered man, usually executed the
murderer; but lest in the excitement of the occasion undue haste should
be exercised and individuals be slain who did not deserve death, God
made provision that the murderer might flee and lay hold upon his altar.
None could be taken from the altar without an examination, and if it
was found that the murderer had presumptuously planned to kill the man,
then he was taken from the altar and slain; otherwise his life was
spared. (Ex. 21:13,14).
After the children of Israel entered the promised land, six cities were
set apart as cities of refuge. These were conveniently located, three on
each side of the river Jordan. (Joshua 20:2,7,8) The roads leading to
these cities were always to be kept in good repair, that the one fleeing
before the avenger of blood might not be hindered in his flight. (Deut.
19:3) The cities were on elevated ground, and could be seen at a
distance.
When the murderer reached the gate of the city of refuge, he declared
"his cause in the ears of the elders of that city," before he was given a
place within. (Joshua 20: 3-5) His case was also tried by the judges of
the city near where the murder was committed, and if it was not a
premeditated murder, but the deed had been done accidentally or
unintentionally, then the guilty man was restored again to the city of
refuge whither he had fled. (Num. 35:12,24,25).
Every time an Israelite looked upon one of the cities of refuge, God
designed he should be reminded of Christ, the "tower of the flock, the
stronghold of the daughter of Zion," (Micah 4:8) to whom every
sin-burdened soul could flee for shelter."
Stephen Haskell
