Deuteronomy 4:41-49
41 Then Moses set apart three cities on this side of the Jordan, toward the rising of the sun, 42 that the manslayer might flee there, who kills his neighbor unintentionally, without having hated him in time past, and that by fleeing to one of these cities he might live: 43 Bezer in the wilderness on the plateau for the Reubenites, Ramoth in Gilead for the Gadites, and Golan in Bashan for the Manassites.
44 Now this is the law which Moses set before the children of Israel. 45 These are the testimonies, the statutes, and the judgments which Moses spoke to the children of Israel after they came out of Egypt, 46 on this side of the Jordan, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, in the land of Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt at Heshbon, whom Moses and the children of Israel defeated after they came out of Egypt. 47 And they took possession of his land and the land of Og king of Bashan, two kings of the Amorites, who were on this side of the Jordan, toward the rising of the sun, 48 from Aroer, which is on the bank of the River Arnon, even to Mount Sion (that is, Hermon), 49 and all the plain on the east side of the Jordan as far as the Sea of the Arabah, below the slopes of Pisgah.
41 Then Moses set apart three cities on this side of the Jordan, toward the rising of the sun, 42 that the manslayer might flee there, who kills his neighbor unintentionally, without having hated him in time past, and that by fleeing to one of these cities he might live: 43 Bezer in the wilderness on the plateau for the Reubenites, Ramoth in Gilead for the Gadites, and Golan in Bashan for the Manassites.
44 Now this is the law which Moses set before the children of Israel. 45 These are the testimonies, the statutes, and the judgments which Moses spoke to the children of Israel after they came out of Egypt, 46 on this side of the Jordan, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, in the land of Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt at Heshbon, whom Moses and the children of Israel defeated after they came out of Egypt. 47 And they took possession of his land and the land of Og king of Bashan, two kings of the Amorites, who were on this side of the Jordan, toward the rising of the sun, 48 from Aroer, which is on the bank of the River Arnon, even to Mount Sion (that is, Hermon), 49 and all the plain on the east side of the Jordan as far as the Sea of the Arabah, below the slopes of Pisgah.
These last sections of the chapter summarize several things for God’s leading of His people out of bondage and through battles towards the promised land. First we see the refuge cities where manslaughter suspects could flee for protection so due process of law could either accuse or excuse them. These again were setup at God’s instruction to protect the innocent from getting lynched, not to protect criminals. This is a good pattern to follow in our own laws today. We must also consider well that we who are in Christ find our eternal refuge in Him from the deserved penalty of our sin. Then we see that the law of God’s word - its testimonies, statutes, and judgements - has been summarized in the preceding chapters, and this is a reminder to take heed to those. The battles won to gain footholds towards the promised land were possible only as Israel trusted the word of the LORD and obeyed it. Then they had victory and success (Joshua 1:7-9). We find success as we are conformed to Christ by trusting faith and the outworking of obedience as well, though it is not for our salvation, but is essential for our sanctification (Ephesians 2:8-19); we are instead created and called to do the good works prepared for us as we march toward the heavenly promised land as He works in our obedience towards holiness (2 Corinthians 7:1).
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