More of Moses' instructions are implemented, this time the cities of refuge. These were there to protect people who accidentally killed someone. When such a thing happens there is a natural tendency on the part of the relatives of the victim to want revenge. The Law put a restraint on that. The guilty person was given refuge until a proper trial had established the facts.
Next the Levites were allocated towns to live in, and there follows a long list of the towns allocated.
Then we read that the allocation of the land was complete, their enemies were defeated, and they had rest from every side. Note that rest here does not mean an absence of work. It means that they were now free to build the society that God had in mind for them.
The tribes that had elected to take land on the other side of the Jordan were now released to go back there, for they had helped the other tribes gain victory in the land. However, they still had to observe the law. They were sent back with a blessing. However, when they returned they built an altar. At first this causes great consternation to the other tribes. They remembered the various times they had come under judgement from God for obedience, and how the whole nation could affected by one man's sin. So they were ready to go to war. However, they confronted the trans-Jordan tribes first. The tribes then explained that they had built the alter to emphasize that they were still part of Israel and were still worshipping God. They feared that other tribes might forget that they were still part of Israel. And so peace came between the tribes.
The whole matter of the trans-Jordan tribes is perhaps a lesson for us of how some people will do things differently, and make different choices. As long as their heart is still for the Lord we should let them do this.
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