Joshua 20: Cities of Refuge for the Slayer set aside

Synopsis:

God tells Joshua to set aside cities of refuge and then explains what those are. It turns out that cities of refuge are places where if a person accidentally kills someone else, they can find refuge in a city of refuge and not be turned over to an angry mob bent on revenge. Instead, once you are inside of a city of refuge, will be made to stand before the congregation and defend themselves.

In other words:

A system to ensure blood feuds don’t erupt was put into place.

Favorite bit:

It makes sense to provide for a system of trial so that you don’t end up with blood feuds if it turns out that it was an accident.

Least favorite bit:

You can’t go back home until the high priest dies and the new priests don’t want to care for you anymore. (Joshua 20: 6)

Moral Lesson:

Two wrongs don’t make a right.

and/or
Don’t take blood revenge for accidents.