Deuteronomy 4:41-43 – Christ, our safest refuge

The details of the cities of refuge had already been described in Numbers 35. In Deuteronomy 4:41-43, Moses set apart three cities of refuge on the east of Jordan. This was needful as he had granted the land on this side of Jordan to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half-tribe of Manasseh. Remember these two and a half tribes had requested to remain here because they saw this stretch of land as suitable for them to raise their herds. Moses only agreed to grant them after some agreement on their part. They would settle their families on this side of Jordan and all their valiant men would cross over to help the other tribes to possess their portion of the land. Only after their brethren had inherited their lands would they return to join their families.  

These three verses marked the end of Moses' first discourse. The next discourse will start from Deuteronomy 4:44 and extend all the way to Deuteronomy 26:19. The setting up of the cities of refuge east of Jordan indicated that Moses had acknowledged that Israel was ready to go in and possess the promised land. It was time for them to inherit the promise of God. The two had half tribes were already granted their land and it remained for the rest to go across the Jordan to possess theirs. The appointing of the cities of refuge would be a strong indication for the rest of the nine and a half tribes to go across to possess theirs by faith.    

In these three verses, Moses once again showed the reason for these cities of refuge. It was for a person who killed someone unintentionally. They could run to a city of refuge nearest to him to seek sanctuary till what he had committed was properly adjudicated. The people seeking vengeance from the killer would be filled with emotion and unable to differentiate between an intentional and unintentional killing. If it was ascertained that the killing was unpremeditated, that person could remain and live in that city of refuge till the death of the high priest. Only after the death of the high priest could he return home. God was providing time for the case to be properly considered.

We see the setting up of the cities of refuge as a strong indication of God’s deep sense of justice. The absence of justice would make it hard to develop a harmonious community. Justice allows for good to be upheld and evildoers to be punished. Without justice, the environment would not be safe and people in the community would find it hard to exist peacefully. Justice ensures that evil people will be dealt with and not left to perpetuate what’s wrong. However, it must be said that there will be no perfect justice outside of Christ. On the cross, divine love and justice met. We all owe a debt that we cannot pay. Christ paid the debt He did not owe. The cross is our city of refuge. That’s where our sin was laid on Him. That was where God’s justice was satisfied. He died to set us free. Glory to Him alone!