Imagine the terror of accidentally causing someone’s death. In ancient times, this meant certain death at the hands of the victim’s family seeking justice. No courts, no due process, just blood for blood. This was the harsh reality that created the need for cities of refuge.
But here’s what’s remarkable: God cares about both justice and mercy. He doesn’t say, “Well, it was an accident, so forget about it.” Life is too precious for that. Every person bears God’s image, making human life sacred. Yet God also doesn’t say, “Too bad, you took a life, so yours must be taken.” Intent matters. The heart matters.
We live in a world that struggles with this same tension. Our legal system tries to balance justice and mercy but often fails. Some think we’re too lenient; others think we’re too harsh. But thousands of years ago, God provided a perfect solution that honored both justice and mercy, establishing a system that would ultimately point us to Jesus Christ.
The cities of refuge teach us something crucial: God takes both justice and mercy with absolute seriousness. He doesn’t compromise on either. And in Christ, we see how both are perfectly satisfied.