Deuteronomy 4:41-42--Cities of Refuge

Deuteronomy 4:41-42
English Standard Version
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Cities of Refuge
41 Then Moses set apart three cities in the east beyond the Jordan, 42 that the manslayer might flee there, anyone who kills his neighbor unintentionally, without being at enmity with him in time past; he may flee to one of these cities and save his life:

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Short passage today.  It seems a little out of place after the conversation about worshiping God alone, but taking the life of one of HIs image-bearers or any innocent life is something that God requires life for life--see the Noahic Covenant.  Even animals that the life of a man were to be stoned according to the Law (we'll get there soon).

However, God is not going to require the life of someone who did not commit murder and only committed involuntary manslaughter.  God gave a way for the person who accidently took a life to go to one of the Cities of Refuge (controlled by the Levites), and the Levites were to make sure that there was a fair trial and that no bounty hunter or avenger killed the accused before he could stand trial.  Any avenger or bounty hunter who kills such a man in the City of Refuge would be guilty of murder and his life would be required of him.