Safety in the City

Then Moses set apart three cities on this side of the Jordan, toward the rising of the sun, 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.
Deuteronomy 4:41-42, NKJV

Contrary to popular belief, urban centers do not inherently act as breeding grounds for danger and violence. In fact, the Bible presents the city as a place of safety and lawfulness. Israel’s cities of refuge represent this perspective. God set aside these cities to shelter people who had committed accidental manslaughter. Rather than running away from a community, the suspect was encouraged to run toward one. Citizens of the city were to protect the suspect and ensure a fair hearing rather than leave him in the open to be preyed upon by the dead person’s relatives.

The hazards of modern life in cities (or anywhere) are often a result of the loss of community. The answer to urban crime is not to flee to the suburbs but to reclaim the benefits of living alongside one’s neighbors in peace, without fear or prejudice but with meaningful interaction and generosity. God yearns for us to live in fellowship with one another.

Drawn from a note in the Apply the Word Study Bible.

What hurdles do we need to overcome to fellowship with our neighbors in meaningful interaction and generosity? Post a comment below! >

Bible Study

More
  • god encourages the humble

    God Encourages the Humble

    God encourages the humble and discourages the proud.... Read more
  • Jesus is All We Need

    Jesus is All We Need

    Humans are fundamentally needy. But how can we find... Read more
  • what is gods faithfulness

    What is God’s Faithfulness?

    We often say that God is faithful. But what does God's... Read more

Comfort

More
  • Jesus is All We Need

    Jesus is All We Need

    Humans are fundamentally needy. But how can we find... Read more
  • what is gods faithfulness

    What is God’s Faithfulness?

    We often say that God is faithful. But what does God's... Read more
  • Contentment

    As humans, we are not often satisfied. That is because... Read more

Devotional Reading Plans

More
  • a saving faith

    A Saving Faith

    What does saving faith in Jesus Christ look like? The... Read more
  • What is Scripture Engagement?

    Scripture Engagement is more than just a regular Bible... Read more
  • The Legacy of Studying God’s Word | NIV Verse Mapping Bibles

    Verse-mapping is a technique of studying the Bible... Read more

Prayer

More
  • A Top 100 Most-Asked Question About the Bible for the New Year

    Many people who read the Bible don't understand what... Read more
  • teach your children to pray for others

    Teach Your Children to Pray for Others

    This study from the NIV Adventure Bible can help you... Read more
  • Scripture Engagement Practice Picture It

    Scripture Engagement Practice: Picture It

    Picture it, one of the practices found in the abide... Read more

SpeakLight

More
  • Romans 8:28 SpeakLight Danny Gokey

    Romans 8:28 / #SpeakLight / Danny Gokey

    And we know that all things work together for good to... Read more
  • James 5:16 - Steven Malcolm

    James 5:16 / #SpeakLight / Steven Malcolm

    Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for... Read more
  • 2 corinthians 5:17 phil joel

    2 Corinthians 5:17 with Phil Joel

    Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new... Read more

Spiritual Growth

More
  • How to Love like Jesus

    When asked, Jesus gave a great example of what it... Read more
  • god encourages the humble

    God Encourages the Humble

    God encourages the humble and discourages the proud.... Read more
  • Jesus is All We Need

    Jesus is All We Need

    Humans are fundamentally needy. But how can we find... Read more

Topical Reading Plans

More
  • What is the Thompson Chain-Reference Bible

    What is the Thompson Chain-Reference Bible?

    Many people have found the Thompson Chain-Reference... Read more
  • who really was jesus

    Who really was Jesus?

    The author of the book of Hebrews explained, using... Read more
  • The Legacy of Studying God’s Word | NIV Verse Mapping Bibles

    Verse-mapping is a technique of studying the Bible... Read more