Place of Refuge
"These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel and for the stranger who dwelt among them, that whoever killed a person accidentally might flee there, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood until he stood before the congregation." (Joshua 20:9 NKJV) Six cities that were evenly spaced across the land of Israel were designated to provide refuge to whoever killed a person accidentally from the avenger of blood. It was an evidence that Judiac judicial system recognizes the possible incidence of murder without evil intention. In most legal systems, the best conviction under any of this type of accident would be man's slaughter. No matter the level of clemency accorded though, there would be a sticky sense of guilt that polices the conscience of whoever killed his fellow man. Likewise, every presumptuous, but character-assassinating, word uttered against fellow man, albeit for self-gratification, attracts guilty conscience. However, only those who are...