Word of God Communities

1Then the LORD said to Joshua, 2“Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses, 3so that anyone who kills another unintentionally or accidentally may flee there. These will be your refuge from the avenger of blood. 4When someone flees to one of these cities, stands at the entrance of the city gate, and states his case before its elders, they are to bring him into the city and give him a place to live among them.

5Now if the avenger of blood pursues him, they must not surrender the manslayer into his hand, because that man killed his neighbor accidentally without prior malice. 6He is to stay in that city until he stands trial before the assembly and until the death of the high priest serving at that time. Then the manslayer may return to his own home in the city from which…

23I know, O LORD, that a man’s way is not his own;

no one who walks directs his own steps.

24Correct me, O LORD,

but only with justice—

not in Your anger,

or You will bring me to nothing.

7If I walk in the midst of trouble,

You preserve me from the anger of my foes;

You extend Your hand,

and Your right hand saves me.

8The LORD will fulfill

His purpose for me.

Path 1: New Testament and Psalms

In Psalms 136–138, the Lord’s steadfast love is repeated as the foundation of creation, redemption, judgment, and praise. Israel remembers His mercy from redemption from Egypt to inheritance in the land. It grieves in exile beside Babylon’s rivers and confesses that God regards even the lowly and fulfills His purpose and promises.

Mercy Remembered: Psalm 136 trains families and churches to rehearse God's mercy through history. Repeated praise is not empty repetition, but part of a covenant memory. Thanking God for creation, deliverance, judgment, food, and inheritance repeatedly teach that the Lord’s steadfast love orders the world and it gives His people courage to praise Him even when in need.

Path 2: Old Testament Pentateuch/History

In Joshua 19–20, the remaining tribes receive their appointed inheritances, and Joshua himself is given a city among the people he has led. The cities of refuge are established,…

A song of ascents. Of David.

1 Behold, how good and pleasant it is

when brothers live together in harmony!

2It is like fine oil on the head,

running down on the beard,

running down Aaron’s beard

5For if you really correct your ways and deeds, if you act justly toward one another, 6if you no longer oppress the foreigner and the fatherless and the widow, and if you no longer shed innocent blood in this place or follow other gods to your own harm, 7then I will let you live in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers forever and ever.

8But look, you keep trusting in deceptive words to no avail. 9Will you steal and murder, commit adultery and perjury, burn incense to Baal, and follow other gods that you have not known, 10and then come and stand before Me in this house, which bears My Name, and say, ‘We are delivered, so we can continue with all these abominations’? 11Has this house, which bears My Name, become a den of robbers in your sight? Yes, I too have seen it,…

17So Joshua said to the house of Joseph—to Ephraim and Manasseh—“You have many people and great strength. You shall not have just one allotment, 18because the hill country will be yours as well. It is a forest; clear it, and its farthest limits will be yours. Although the Canaanites have iron chariots and although they are strong, you can drive them out.”

Not to give away the story, but you found out in the previous chapter already... they didn't drive out the Canaanites. They did 95% of what God asked, received some of His blessings and never gave Him the last 5%. And it comes back to haunt them. God doesn't want 95%. He wants you to put all of Christ over all of your life.

Path 1: New Testament and Psalms

In Psalms 133–135, the Songs of Ascents end with unity, priestly blessing, and praise. Brotherly harmony is like oil and dew, life flowing from Zion under God’s favor. The Lord is praised as Creator, Redeemer, and King, unlike idols that cannot speak, see, hear, or save.

Unity from Zion: Psalm 133 teaches that brotherly unity is not sentiment, but priestly blessing flowing from Zion. True harmony comes from God’s ordered worship and favor, not shared feelings. Families and churches flourish when unity is received as a holy gift and guarded through faithful obedience.

Path 2: Old Testament Pentateuch/History

In Joshua 16–18, Ephraim, Manasseh, and Benjamin receive their inheritance, yet Israel’s obedience remains incomplete. Some Canaanites remain, and Joshua rebukes the tribes for delaying possession of the land. God’s gift must be embraced with faith, courage, and ordered responsibility before Him.

Path 3: Old Testament…

10Go up through her vineyards and ravage them,

but do not finish them off.

Strip off her branches,

for they do not belong to the LORD.

11For the house of Israel and the house of Judah

have been utterly unfaithful to Me,” declares the LORD.