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respect for life
Deuteronomy 4:41-43
Deuteronomy 4:41 Then Moses separated1 three cities across the Jordan to the east.
Deuteronomy 4:42 Someone could flee there who committed manslaughter, killing his neighbor accidentally without previously hating him. He could flee to one of these cities and stay alive:
Deuteronomy 4:43 Bezer in the open country on the plateau land, belonging to the Reubenites; Ramoth in Gilead, belonging to the Gadites; or Golan in Bashan,
respect for life
What strikes me as I ponder the instructions about the cities of refuge is that they reflect a deep respect for human life. Even those who accidentally kill someone else will have their lives interrupted by relocation. The life of the victims had to be respected even if their deaths were accidental.
But this respect for the lives of the victims did not justify vengeance killing. If someone was found guilty of murder, their punishment would not be at the hands of a vengeful mob.
Lord, instill in us a respect for all life, as divine gift from you.
1בּדל
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