These last chapters in the book of Numbers end on a merciful note.  The Lord commanded the Israelites to establish cities of refuge for those people who have accidentally caused another person’s death. I’d always heard of the Old Testament’s “eye for an eye” mandate, but I did not realize that the closest relative of a murdered person was the one responsible for executing the murderer.  If the death was an actual accident, however, the community members escort and protect the person who caused the death — but he had to stay within the city of refuge to have guaranteed … Continue reading Numbers 35-36: The Refuge