22: The Cities of Refuge: the sign of the Lord's protection (Josh 20:1 – 9)

Having the cities of refuge and the Levitical cities among the land signifies that it is the land where the Lord reigns. 

πŸ‘‰ Read Joshua 20:1 - 9


Q1. If a man kills someone by accident, he needs to flee to one of the (                       ) and present his case to the (               ) of the city (v4). They should provide him a place to stay and protect him from the (            ) of blood (v5). The case should be reviewed by the (                ) (v9). He must remain in that city until the (                ) dies if the manslaughter was accidental (v6).

If a man kills someone by accident, he needs to flee to one of the ( Cities of Refuge ) and present his case to the ( leaders ) of the city. They should provide him a place to stay and protect him from the ( avenger ) of blood. The case should be reviewed by the ( assembly ). He must remain in that city until the ( high priest ) dies if the manslaughter was accidental.

Even if it was a mistake, the offender had to live in a city of refuge as a way of punishment for causing someone to die. The death of the high priest was considered to atone for such involuntary manslaughter, allowing the offender to leave the city of refuge and return to his hometown. 

For more details about the cities of refuge, see Numbers ch. 35 blog post


Q2. These are six towns that were assigned as the Cities of Refuge: (             ) in Galilee, Shechem, (              ) in the land of Judah, (          ) in Bashan, Ramoth in Gilead, and (             ) in the wilderness in the territory of Reuben.

( Kedesh ) in Galilee, Shechem, (  Hebron  ) in Judah, ( Golan  ) in Bashan, Ramoth in Gilead, and ( Bezer ) in the wilderness in Reuben.




The establishment of cities of refuge in the land suggests that the Lord does not desire the shedding of innocent blood and provides protection for those involved in accidental manslaughter.

Through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, God provides a way of life for us in distress. The spirit of the City of Refuge should be reflected in the Christian communities, both in the church and at home.


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