Crossing the Jordan

Moses sets apart three cities east of the Jordan. These are cities of safe keeping. If someone kills another person by accident — not on purpose — they can run to one of these cities. They stay there until their case is heard. No one can take revenge on them.

On the flat plains of Moab, Moses stands before the people one last time. The Jordan River lies just ahead. He tells the whole story again — from the mountain at Horeb all the way to here. He goes over their failures. He reads the law again. He warns them. Do not bow to other gods in Canaan!

Moses calls everyone together. Leaders, families, workers from other lands, young and old. Every person stands before Yahweh. Moses makes the agreement new again. He says this promise holds this generation — not just your fathers who died in the wild land. You! Every one of you must follow Yahweh.

Deut 4:41