Bible Study: Joshua 20

Bible Study: Joshua 20

Read Joshua 20

1. The ancient nation of Israel was a theocratic state.
2. God was their instructor, deliverer, and ruler who gave them several laws and guided them to set up structures of good governance

• Cities of refuge were set up for people who committed man slaughter – vs 2 Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses:
• There was an avenger of blood who executed people who committed murder. – vs 3 That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.
• There were elders in each city who judged the people – vs 4 And when he that doth flee unto one of those cities shall stand at the entering of the gate of the city, and shall declare his cause in the ears of the elders of that city, they shall take him into the city unto them, and give him a place, that he may dwell among them.
• There were shelters in each city for strangers who visit for business or tourism – vs. 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.
• There was an assembly of the congregation of all the people to discuss common matters from time to time – vs 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.