Deuteronomy 19:1-21
Q.1. What provision did God give to protect against family revenge? Under what conditions might other Cities of Refuge be needed? How was murder to be dealt with? – (Dt.19:1-13)
From the outset, God wanted to ensure that individuals or families did not take the law into their own hands. This was in stark contrast to the revenge killings that blighted other people groups. Even before they entered the Promised Land, Israel was instructed to establish three accessible Cities of Refuge in order to protect against retribution aimed at those involved in accidental killings. Should the territory of Israel be increased by God (as was the case in the land added east of the Jordan River), then three further Cities of Refuge were to be provided – So innocent blood will not be shed in the midst of your land which the Lord your God gives you as an inheritance, and blood-guiltiness be on you (Dt.19:10). The elders of the offender’s city were to determine if the killing was an unintentional killing, or premeditated murder. Murderers were delivered to the avenger of blood – You shall not pity him, but you shall purge the blood of the innocent from Israel, that it may go well with you (Dt.19:13).
Q.2. Why was moving the boundary marker such a serious offence? How was justice protected in the case of witnesses to a crime? How were false witnesses treated? Why? – (Dt.19:14-21)
Taking anything that does not rightfully belong to us is stealing. However, it was especially significant when it applied to the family’s inheritance in the Promised Land. King Ahab and Queen Jezebel incurred the wrath of God when they had Naboth stoned and then took his family inheritance (Dt.19:14 c.f. 1 Kgs. chpt.21). A case could not be determined on the basis of a single witness but required the evidence of two or three witnesses. False witnesses would be punished in a way consistent with the harm that had been intended against the victim. This was so discourage perjury. – Thus you shall not show pity: life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot (Dt.19:21).