(REFLECTIONS ON Deuteronomy 19:1-21)

God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. – Psalm 46:1

In today’s Scripture, we read about the cities of refuge that are to be set up for “anyone who kills a neighbor unintentionally, without malice aforethought.” When an unintentional killing, death without hatred, planning, or malicious intent occurred, these cities of refuge provided protection, but not an acquittal or pronouncement of innocence.

It was a place where those that killed a neighbor unintentionally could find protection while justice was being pursued. It was a form of protected exile, because the person could not leave the city, but were in protective custody within the city.

Cities of refuge were Levitical cities so it can be said that these cities provided not only protection, but an opportunity for life and spiritual renewal in dealing with this life changing event.

The cities of refuge represented God’s mercy and justice, as the Lord is our refuge and strength, and an ever-present help in trouble. It was a place where those that killed unintentionally and without hatred could go to seek justice, seek the truth, and seek God.

The one that escaped to the city of refuge needed to stay there until the High Priest died, symbolizing a mediator standing in between the accused, the people, and God.

This then should remind us of our mediator, Jesus Christ. Through Jesus Christ, God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. The Good News, is that Jesus Christ is not just a city of refuge, and not just for those that killed unintentionally and without hatred, but for all who are willing to believe in Him and turn their life over to Him.

That God, through Jesus Christ, is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble, doesn’t mean that we have a safety guard built-in when we need it, so that gives us free reign to do whatever, say whatever, think whatever, and live however we want. Rather, it reminds us that in all the decisions in our life, there is always an another option, and that option is Christ Jesus our Lord.

Whenever we think we are stuck and we have no other option than to succumb to this world, the values of this world, and are limited to only bad decisions, we are reminded that there is always Jesus Christ. We don’t have to do what the world wants us to do, or live the way the world tells us to live, there is always Jesus Christ, and His way.

The Lord is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble, reminds us that we can choose the Lord, Jesus Christ today.

Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: Deuteronomy 19