Three Cities of Refuge

Deuteronomy 4:41–49
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In this passage we find Moses setting apart three cities of refuge east of the Jordan River, where anyone who had accidentally killed someone without having any previous hostility could flee for safety. These cities were: Bezer on the wilderness plateau for the tribe of Reuben; Ramoth in Gilead for the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan for the tribe of Manasseh (vv. 41-43).

Moses hands down the law to the Israelites. He sets this law before them as the rule they were to work by, the way they were to walk in. What Moses could do for the people while he was yet with them, he did, to give an example to the rulers who were settled that they might observe them the better when he was gone. These include the stipulations, laws, and regulations that Moses gave to the people of Israel when they left Egypt, and as they camped in the valley near Beth-peor east of the Jordan River. This land was formerly occupied by the Amorites under King Sihon of Heshbon (vv. 44-46). He and his people had been destroyed by Moses and the Israelites as they came up from Egypt. Israel conquered his land and that of King Og of Bashan (v. 47). These two Amorite kings ruled the land east of the Jordan. So, Israel conquered all the area from Aroer at the edge of the Arnon Gorge to Mount Sirion, also called Mount Hermon (v. 48). And they took the eastern bank of the Jordan Valley as far south as the Dead Sea, below the slopes of Pisgah (v. 49).

Application

I don’t know how long I have to live on this earth (No one does) but I know it is important how I live and what I teach to those who are younger than I am. Just as Moses wanted to be a good example to those around him, I want to be a good example to those around me.