What lessons on community responsibility can we learn from Joshua 20:7? “So they set apart Kedesh in Galilee in the hill country of Naphtali, Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the hill country of Judah.” A Snapshot of the Setting • God had already commanded Israel through Moses to establish six “cities of refuge” (Numbers 35:11-15; Deuteronomy 19:2-7). • Joshua 20 records the nation’s obedience to that earlier word. Verse 7 names the first three sites west of the Jordan—strategically placed north (Kedesh), central (Shechem), and south (Hebron). • The goal: give immediate asylum to anyone who killed another unintentionally until a fair trial could be held. Community Responsibility Lessons 1. Provision for the Vulnerable Is Non-Optional – The whole nation “set apart” (v.7) these cities. Protection wasn’t left to chance or private charity; it became a public institution. – Proverbs 31:8-9 charges God’s people to “defend the rights of the needy.” The cities of refuge made that command concrete. 2. Justice and Mercy Must Travel Together – Numbers 35:25 shows the accused staying in refuge “until the death of the high priest,” ensuring justice was measured, not mob-ruled. – Micah 6:8 couples justice with mercy—both qualities are built into the refuge system. 3. Accessibility Reflects God’s Heart for All – Kedesh, Shechem, and Hebron form a north-to-south line, keeping every Israelite within reach. Deuteronomy 19:3 even orders roads to be built. – Romans 10:13, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved,” echoes this wide-open accessibility. 4. Leaders Carry Primary Accountability – “They set apart” (v.7) points to Joshua and tribal elders acting decisively. Godly leadership puts protective structures in place rather than reacting after harm occurs. – Romans 13:1-4 affirms civil authority as God’s servant for good, restraining evil. 5. Holiness Must Saturate Every Region – Each refuge city was Levitical, reminding Israel that God’s holiness governs the land from north to south. – 1 Peter 1:15 tells believers, “Be holy in all you do.” Community life should radiate God’s character everywhere people live. 6. Corporate Obedience Brings Social Stability – By literally designating these cities, Israel showed trust in God’s detailed instructions. Obedience produced order and reduced blood feuds. – Psalm 119:165: “Great peace have those who love Your law.” 7. The Pattern Points to a Greater Refuge – Hebrews 6:18 calls us to “take refuge in the hope set before us,” clearly invoking the city-of-refuge imagery and anchoring it in Christ. – As Israel made room for the manslayer, the church today holds open the gospel to all sinners in need of grace. Practical Takeaways for Today • Build structures—policies, ministries, safe spaces—that tangibly protect the innocent and the vulnerable. • Insist on due process; never surrender to vengeance or rumor. • Keep access easy: remove geographical, social, and financial barriers to help. • Encourage leaders to be proactive, not reactive, in matters of justice and mercy. • Let every part of our communities—workplaces, neighborhoods, congregations—carry a reputation for holiness and safety. • Hold out Christ as the ultimate, unfailing refuge and model our communal life on His mercy. Summary Joshua 20:7 shows a nation deliberately aligning its civic life with God’s Word. By setting apart cities of refuge, Israel accepted a shared duty to safeguard life, temper justice with compassion, and weave holiness into every corner of society—timeless lessons for any community that seeks to honor the Lord today. |
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