PEOPLE BEING what we are, the Lord had to set rules for dealing with the shedding of human blood, both accidental and premeditated. So six “cities of refuge” were established among the land given to the Israelites, and the Lord established the role of the avenger of blood, a designated executioner to take vengeance on those guilty of purposely killing another.
We discuss the avenger of blood, the kinsman-redeemer, and the parallels with the role Jesus Christ, the Messiah, plays in redeeming us from our sins, and his future role as the Avenger of Blood on all who reject his offer of salvation by grace.