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Lesson 13 Joshua, Chapters 20 - 21 Class Notes for April 17, 2018

Cities for the Levites

The Levites' place in the Promised Land began 400 years earlier. As Jacob's sons grew to manhood, an incident involving Levi's younger sister Dinah would influence Jacob's blessing for him. The rape of Dinah created an opportunity for the people of Shechem to propose intermarriage with Jacob's family with the goal of acquiring the family and all their possessions. During these devious negotiations, Levi and Simeon took revenge for Dinah and attacked the city, killed every male, and looted the city. This angry and violent action caused Jacob to move his family to Bethel to escape retribution from the surrounding Canaanites. Gen. 34:1-31 Jacob's blessing for Simeon and Levi prophesied that they would be scattered among the other tribes because of their anger and violence. Four generations later, Moses' blessing for the tribes did not mention Simeon but focused on the Levites' ministry in the sanctuary and invoked the LORD's protection from their enemies.

As the sons of Israel left Egypt, the LORD sanctified all the firstborn males for Himself. The animals were to be sacrificed but the firstborn sons were to be redeemed by a payment in shekels or perhaps a animal. Then the LORD substituted the firstborns of all the tribes for all the males of the single tribe of Levites. From that time forward, Levites would represent every family of Israel before the LORD, offer the sacrifices, preserve and teach the Law, and maintain the feasts and worship practices of the nation which were given in detail by the LORD.

Levi had three sons who would comprise the three families: Gershon, Kohath and Merari. These sons had sons, and the first High Priest, Aaron, would be the fourth generation from Levi. All the descendants of Levi were sanctified for service to the LORD, but only Aaron and his descendants were designated to serve as priests. Instructions for the type of sacrifices and how they were made were specific. Any violation brought severe consequences. Aaron's two oldest sons and the next in line to be High Priest after Aaron, were creative in their service, offering "strange fire" before the LORD. Judgment was instant, and fire came from the Tabernacle and consumed them both. Lev. 10:1-3

The remaining Levites had specific duties according to their families for the care and transportation of the Tabernacle. Korah's family had responsibility for the furnishings in the Tabernacle, the veil and the vessels and utensils used in the services. Yet, Korah with 250 leaders confronted Moses and Aaron claiming that the entire family was holy, yet Moses and Aaron had exalted themselves to their high positions. Moses brought the issue before the LORD, and Aaron came with those complaining each bringing a firepan of incense to offer. Judgment against Korah and his men came as an earthquake took all of them and their households. Those who had rebelled against Moses and Aaron who were killed numbered 14,700. Also, fire went forth from the LORD and consumed Korah and the 250 men who had brought charges against Moses and Aaron. This judgment was to confirm to the sons of Israel that only Aaron and his descendants could come near to burn incense before the LORD. Num. 16:1-40

When the sons of Israel were given their inheritance in the land, the Levites did not receive a territory but were to live in cities scattered in all the tribal allotments. Even the dimensions of these cities were prescribed by the LORD. Num. 35:1-7 From the city walls, there were "suburbs" extending 1,000 cubits or 1,800 feet. From there, 2,000 cubits or 3,000 feet would be designated for fields and vineyards. Therefore, the radius from the wall would be 4,800 feet, or almost a mile. The Levites would occupy no more than 4 square miles (two miles on each side). There were 42 of these cities total.

Joshua 21:1-42 Cities for the Levites

The land had been divided among the tribes as determined by Joshua, Eleazar the High Priest, and the heads of the households of the tribes of Israel. Next, they were approached by the heads of households for the tribe of Levi requesting the cities and pasture lands which had promised to them by the LORD through Moses. The process of seeking guidance from the LORD by the casting of lots continued.

v. 4 The Aaronites received 13 cities in Judah, Simeon and Benjamin.

v. 9-19 list their cities including Hebron, a city of refuge

v. 5 The remaining Kohathites received 10 cities from Ephraim, Dan and W. Manasseh.

v. 20-26 list their cities including Shechem, a city of refuge

v. 6 Gershon's family received 13 cities among Issachar, Asher, Naphtali, and E. Manasseh

v. 27-33 list their cities including Golan and Kedesh, cities of refuge

v. 7 Merari's family received 12 cities from Reuben, Gad and Zebulun.

v. 34-40 list their cities including Bezer and Ramoth, cities of refuge

A total of 48 cities. Noteworthy here is that the Levites were not indiscriminately assigned cities throughout the land, but they were given to specific tribes and territories according to the priests and the three families.

13 cities including a city of refuge west of the Jordan River went to Aaron

10 cities including a city of refuge west of the Jordan River went to the rest of Kohath

13 cities including 2 cities of refuge north and east of the Sea of Galilee went to Gershon.

12 cities including 2 cities of refuge east of the Jordan River went to Merari.

Therefore, each of the three Levite families received two cities of refuge. Some perspective is understood in that at Joshua's time, the second census, there were 23,000 Levites in service to the LORD.

Joshua 20:1-9 Cities of Refuge Also 1 Chron. 6:54-81

Among the 48 cities, the LORD gave Moses instructions concerning six cities of refuge which were to be under the authority of the Levites. Num. 35:1-34 Mountains, seas and rivers were considered in the placement of these cities to ensure access since no geographical barrier would prevent a manslayer from getting to one of them.

Hebron, the city in Judah assigned to Caleb, went to the High Priest Aaron and his family.

Shechem in Ephraim was for the remaining Kohathites.

Kedesh from the tribe of Naphtali and Golan in East Manasseh were to be occupied by the Gershonites.

Ramoth located in the territory of Gad and Bezer from Reuben's allotment were assigned to the Merarites.

At this time, remember, the tabernacle was located in Shiloh.

Each of these cities was to be a sanctuary, asylum or refuge for someone who had killed another unintentionally until he could be brought to trial Num. 35:9-13, 22-28 or until the death of the high priest. Num. 35:25 Manslaughter is understood as a man taking the life of another without hatred, hostility or intent. Otherwise it is murder and subject to the blood avenger. Num. 35:16-21

We still differentiate manslaughter from murder, and although manslaughter still carries punishment, it is much less severe. Protection was needed because of the long-established practice of "blood for blood", life for life. Many ancient people practiced blood revenge, and it even exists among some Arabs today. Peace between tribes or families would not exist until the man (or woman) who had been murdered was avenged by the death of the offender. This was often accomplished by the closest relative or redeemer, the blood avenger, or goel haddam. Under the Law, after trial the willful murderer was to be put to death, without allowing compensation, by the nearest kin of the victim. Num. 35:19, 30-32 This retaliation was not to extend beyond the immediate offender. Deut. 24:16

However, the primary duties of the priests and Levites were dedicated to serving the LORD and representing the people before Him. The focus of these responsibilities was the Tabernacle which was commanded and designed by God and created in the wilderness by the people. It was constructed of many precious materials including gold, silver, bronze, precious woods and rare cloth. Today the cost would exceed $1 million. Many of these materials had been given by the Egyptians to the sons of Israel as the LORD took them out of slavery in Egypt. The people were so generous in giving for construction of the Tabernacle that Moses had to tell them to stop! Ex.36:6

The fencing around the Tabernacle measured 75' x 150'. Before the entrance to the tent was a bronze altar for sacrifices and a bronze laver of water for cleansing. The tent itself measured 15' x 45' and consisted of two chambers separated by a heavy veil: the outer Holy Place measuring 30' x 15', and the Holy of Holies only 15 feet square. The Holy of Holies contained only the ark of the covenant and the shekinah glory of the LORD. The Holy Place had the lampstand, table of showbread, and incense altar.

Other than the Levites, the people did not go inside but brought their sacrifices to the entrance. A list of offerings is attached which indicates the magnitude of the priests' duties.

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