Joshua 20-21

Photo courtesy of Moody Bible Atlas.

CHAPTER 20:
           Verses 1-6: God now commands Joshua and Israel to appoint specific cities to serve as cities of refuge. (v.1) (Exodus 21:13, Numbers 35:6, Deuteronomy 19:2, 9) Anyone guilty of manslaughter is to flee to the nearest city of refuge and have his/her case heard before the elders of that city. They will decide whether to give him/her shelter or release him/her to the one avenging the victim’s death. If the former, then that man or woman must remain living in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest. After that, he/she is free to return to his/her own city without any fear of retribution from the victim’s family. (v.2-6)
            Once again, it’s important to keep in mind the laws and customs of the ANE at this time period. Wrongful death, even if it was an accident, had to be avenged according to local custom and law. Therefore God instituted the legal system of cities of refuge as a way to curb the endless cycle of vengeance that could result from someone accidentally taking another’s life. If the city elders judged that the death was indeed accidental, then the victim’s family was forbidden to avenge his/her death, but only as long as the one guilty of manslaughter remained in the city of refuge. If he/she left that city before the death of the current high priest at the time of the victim’s death, then the avenger was free to kill the murderer without fearing retribution from anyone. (Numbers 35:26-28)
 
            Verses 7-9: A total of six cities are selected, three each on either side of the Jordan river. The west side: Kadesh (Naphtali), Shechem (Ephraim), and Hebron (Judah). The east side: Bezer (Reuben), Ramoth (Gad), Bashan (Manasseh). The location of each city is such that no matter where an incident of manslaughter may occur, there is a city of refuge near enough for the slayer to flee to in a reasonable amount of time.

CHAPTER 21:
           The final matter to be settled with regard to the land distribution is that of the Levites. In accordance with God’s command to Moses (Numbers 35:2-3) the elders of the tribe of Levi meet with Joshua and the elders of the other tribes at Shiloh. (v.1) The Levites request cities and suburbs to dwell in, and the rest of the nation willingly complies. (v.2-3)
 
            Verses 4-7: You’ll recall from the genealogies of Genesis and Exodus that the three sons of Levi were Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. (Genesis 46:11, Exodus 6:16) Numbers 3 details the various tabernacle duties and responsibilities assigned to the clans of the Levites that are the descendants of those three sons. Now, as the three primary clans draw lots for the cities where they will permanently dwell, the Kohathites are up first. They receive a total of twenty-three cities from the lands of Judah, Simeon, Benjamin, Ephraim, Dan, and half of Manasseh. The thirteen cities (v.4) in Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin are for the priests because they must live close to the tabernacle in Shiloh.
           The clan of Gershon receives a total of thirteen cities from Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and half of Manasseh. Merari receives a total of twelve cities from Reuben, Gad, and Zebulun.
 
           Verses 8-26: Now the author lists all of the cities given to Kohath. The main reason that this clan is given almost twice as many as the other two clans combined is because of Aaron’s direct descendants who are serving as the high priests. (v.10) As I noted above, thirteen of those cities are located in the lands of Judah, Simeon, and Benjamin because those locations are close to Shiloh, which is the geographical center of the promised land and the location of the tabernacle.
          Hebron is both a Levitical city and a city of refuge. (v.11-13) This will apply to some of the other cities as well.
 
            Verses 27-33: All of the cities given to the clan of Gershon.
 
          Verses 34-42: All of the cities given to the clan of Merari. A total of forty-eight cities throughout the promised land are designated as home for the Levites. (v.41) It’s not just the city itself but also portions of the land around it (suburbs) that are given to the Levites for their livestock and farming needs.
 
          Verses 43-45: The author concludes the account of the land division and distribution by reminding the Israelites of God’s initial promise to Abraham. “And the Lord gave unto Israel all the land which He sware to give unto their fathers…”. (v.43) God had fulfilled His end of the covenant as promised, and it’s now up to His chosen people to dwell in the land and possess it. Their continued obedience and faithfulness to God and His law would result in peace throughout the land and rest from their enemies. (v.44) For now, God had “…delivered all their enemies into their hand.”
          God’s word and His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are fulfilled for their descendants at this time. The author closes this chapter with a confirmation that no “…good thing that the Lord had spoken unto the house of Israel…” is withheld from them because they  trusted in – and obeyed faithfully – the Lord during the conquest of the promised land.
             Once again, the lesson for believers today is clear and no less true today than it was for Israel back then. When we are obedient to God’s direction in our lives and faithful to Him in all aspects of our daily walk, then He will not withhold any good thing from us, His beloved children. God desires nothing but good for us (Romans 8:28), but it’s up to us to remain obedient and faithful. If we choose to go against God’s will and do our own thing rather than follow His direction, then His chastisement comes. Blessings are withheld, and we are miserable.
            That’s not to say that we must always work to earn God’s favor and blessings. His love for us is unconditional. But just as any parent will testify, there are benefits to obeying our heavenly father and unpleasant consequences for when we don’t. Israel had to learn this lesson multiple times, and they still failed more often than they succeeded. For now, however, they are given rest from their enemies all around them, and there is peace throughout the land.