Buckle up because we’re about to hop on the ancient wisdom rollercoaster found in Deuteronomy 19. Picture this: God just steered the Israelites to their promised land. Now, right in the middle of this adventure, God, using Moses as His main man, gives details about what I like to call the “safe spots”– the Cities of Refuge. Let’s not waste any time and unpack the divine blueprint in Deuteronomy 19:1-10:

When God, your God, cuts off the nations whose land God, your God, is giving you and you take them over and settle down in their cities and houses, 2 make sure you set aside three cities for refuge in the land that God, your God, is giving you as an inheritance. 3 You are to divide the country into three parts, so that anyone who has killed another person may take refuge in one of the cities.

4-5 Here is the procedure for anyone who is eligible to enter a city of refuge and live there, to escape the consequence of manslaughter. Suppose, for example, a man goes with his neighbor into the woods to cut a tree, and as he swings his ax to fell a tree, the axhead flies off the handle and hits his neighbor, killing him. The man may then flee to one of these cities and save his life. Otherwise, the avenger of blood, enraged and hot on the man’s trail, might catch up with him and kill him, even though he’s not guilty of death—it wasn’t his fault. 

6-7 That’s why I command you: Set aside three cities for refuge. 8 And if God, your God, enlarges your borders, as he solemnly promised your ancestors, by giving you the whole country and you can establish justice in every part of it, set up additional cities of refuge to which killers can flee. This is so that you don’t go to the trouble of innocent blood being spilled, the trouble of having blood on your hands.

9 After you have cut the country into thirds, east to west and north to south, and have designated three Cities of Refuge in the country that God, your God, is giving you to possess, 10 anyone who has killed another is entitled to asylum, regardless of whether it was intentional or accidental, or whether it was against a neighbor or a foreigner.

Here, God outlines a plan for Cities of Refuge. Picture this: God has just led the Israelites to a new land, a land promised to them after the defeat of nations. Amid this transition, God, through Moses, provides a detailed plan for establishing these Cities of Refuge.

The instructions are crystal clear: three cities on each side of the Jordan River, a thoughtful distribution ensuring accessibility. The purpose? To create a sanctuary, a refuge for those who unintentionally cause harm. It’s like God, in His infinite wisdom, is setting up a safety net for His people, ensuring fairness and justice.

Fast forward to Joshua, and God reiterates this compassionate plan. The cities are designated, and Joshua 20:4 describes the process: the accused stands at the city gate, sharing their story with the elders. These leaders, embodying God’s mercy, admit the fugitive, providing not just shelter but a place among them.

What’s fascinating is the commitment to fairness. The fugitive isn’t handed over to the avenger of blood; instead, they remain in the city until a fair trial before the assembly. The release only happens after the death of the high priest serving at that time. This underscores the gravity of the unintentional act and highlights God’s emphasis on justice and redemption.

Now, let’s relate this to today. Ever been blamed for something you didn’t do? Bible says in Proverbs 18:10, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: The righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” 

Our enemy, called the accuser in Revelation 12:10, is like a real-life villain. Ephesians 6:12 says it’s not a normal fight, but against invisible bad guys. But hey, John 10:10 tells us Jesus came to give us the best life ever!

Consider this divine plan as a metaphor for our lives today. God, in His incredible thoughtfulness, provides a refuge for us in Jesus. In our unintentional mistakes, in our desperate moments, we have a haven. Like those Cities of Refuge, Jesus is our gate, our elders, and our high priest.

So, in 2024, let’s reflect on this blueprint. God’s Cities of Refuge were a tangible expression of His righteousness and mercy. Likewise, in the challenges we face, may we find solace in the safety net God has provided through Jesus, our eternal City of Refuge.

Consider this:   This year, let’s level up in two ways:   1. Run to Jesus: Like, seriously, when life gets crazy, run to Jesus. He’s our super-strong tower. Proverbs 18:10 says, “The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it and is safe.”   2. Remain with Jesus: Just like those Cities of Refuge, Jesus is our ultimate safe spot. He’s got forgiveness, grace, and all the good stuff. Stay with Him when life throws challenges. Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Verses to remember:   Ephesians 6:12 (The Message Version): Our fight is not against people, but against the rulers, authorities, and cosmic powers of this dark world. It’s against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.   John 10:10 (The Message Version): A thief is only there to steal, kill, and destroy. But Jesus is here to give us a full, abundant life.   Hebrews 4:14 (The Message Version): Now that we have a great High Priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let’s hold tight to what we believe.