“Now if the Lord your God enlarges your territory, as He swore to your fathers, and gives you the land which He promised to give to your fathers,
and if you keep all these commandments and do them, which I command you today, to love the Lord your God and to walk always in His ways, then you shall add three more cities for yourself besides these three,
lest innocent blood be shed in the midst of your land which the Lord your God is giving you as an inheritance, and thus bloodguiltiness be upon you.” Deuteronomy 19:8-10
These verses were dealing with the cities of refuge, where those who had accidentally killed someone could go. We see God’s desire to add even more such cities, so innocent blood might not be shed.
Oh Lord, may our hearts be turned toward the innocent, those who need protection and care. We do not forget the innocent blood You shed for us all, redeeming us from our guilt and shame, becoming our own City of Refuge. And here’s a simple poem . . .
An Inheritance
This land is special
at the center of His heart
prepared and given
set aside and apart
to not be like any other
where life is profaned
but the bearer of His promise
His love and His name.