Joshua 20-21

“Designate the cities of refuge…” (20:2).  Knowing the human tendency to accidentally (and on purpose) harm each other, God appointed “cities of refuge” in Israel, where accidental killers could flee in order to escape the revenge of angry families.  This law demonstrated God’s recognition of human weakness, as well as His willingness to save us from ourselves.  Our sinfulness contrasts with His perfection: “Not one of the good promises which the Lord had made to … Israel failed; all came to pass” (21:45).

Our hope depends not on how perfectly we live, but on God’s unfailing goodness and redemptive power.