March 16, 2021: Day 10 – I Chronicles 6

While this picture can also reflect what is written in Joshua 21, and feel free to read that, it really represents what we find in chapter 6 of I Chronicles.  You will find what are described as Levitical towns, places where folks who were accused of breaking the law could go in order to find justice and not be pursued and attacked and killed by an angry mob.  The map shows those cities, which are called  cities of refuge, with red boxes.

Interesting how today in the 21st century there is still talk and discussion about refuge or sanctuary cities.  I know that my father was very active in what was called the Sanctuary movement in the late 70’s and early 80’s where churches would sponsor families that were fleeing from terrible civil war and unrest from Latin America.  These sanctuary churches, as they were called, would house families sometimes for years before they were able to be processed and run through our legal system.  

It always fascinates me to see a biblical concept carried out and put into place and lived even thousands of years after it was first carried out.  The Levitical towns were such because the Levites were considered the priests of the Lord.  Those who had the responsibility for the sacrifices and the laws, and the religious life of the people were also responsible to ensure that the most vulnerable would be protected.  In this chapter you read about the refugee cities in vs.66 and following.