Joshua 20:9
King
James Version (KJV)
9 These
were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger
that sojourneth among them, that whosoever killeth any person at unawares might
flee thither, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stood
before the congregation.
Comments:
The laws regarding the cities of refuge cannot be considered
completely unique for Israel. True, the cities belonged to the Levites, and the
accidental manslayer was confined to a city until the death of the high priest;
and the Israelite offices of Levite and high priest are now abolished.
However, accidental manslaughter is a problem that all nations
must deal with. And note, this text itself doesn't restrict the laws regarding
the cities of refuge to Israelites; they protected non-Israelites living in
Israel as well: "These were the cities appointed for all the children of
Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them."
When nations today, then, weigh how to deal with manslaughter,
they must carefully distinguish between laws regarding the cities of
refuge that are abolished, and laws that are abiding.
In addition to giving us principles on how to deal with
manslaughter, the cities of refuge also require us to consider the legitimacy
of a change of trial venue. If the cities of refuge allow one to be tried by a
local civil government that normally doesn't have jurisdiction over him, could
there also be circumstances where this is warranted today?
