[Illustration:  The altar on mount Ebal.]

THE CITIES OF REFUGE.

Revenge is contrary to the teaching of Jesus Christ, “If thine enemy hunger, feed him,” says the Saviour; but among the Israelites and other eastern nations a different practice prevailed.  If one slew another, the kinsman of him that was slain felt bound to avenge his relative, and to slay him that had done the deed.  Sometimes people were killed by accident, when it was clearly unjust that he who had unwittingly killed another should be slain.  To guard against the innocent thus suffering, God commanded that “cities of refuge” should be appointed, to which the slayer might flee, “which killeth any person at unawares.”

These cities were six in number:  Kedesh, Shechem, and Kirjath-arba, on the west of Jordan; and Bezer, Ramoth, and Golan, on the east of that river.  They were so arranged that a few hours’ rapid flight would bring the slayer from any part of the land to one of the cities of refuge.  Jewish writers say that the roads leading to these cities were always kept in good repair, and that guide-posts were placed at every cross road with “Refuge!  Refuge!” written upon them.  But the man that wilfully killed another was not sheltered.  He was given up to the avenger to be slain.

In our picture we see the slayer running to the city gate; the avenger close behind, shooting arrows at him.  He has thus far escaped, and two or three more steps will place him in safety.  But, once within the city, he must not quit its refuge until the death of the high priest.  If he do so and the avenger find him he may be slain.  But upon the death of the high priest he will be allowed to return home, to dwell in peace again.

[Illustration:  Fleeing to the city of refuge.]

JOSHUA’S EXHORTATION.

Exhortation seems a hard word, but it simply means to strongly urge to good deeds, and this is what our artist shows Joshua to be doing.

Joshua is now an old man, and the Israelites are settled peaceably in Canaan.  He has called them before him, with their elders, and heads, and judges, and officers.  He tells them that he is old and about to die, and reminds them of the land that has already been conquered and divided among them, and of that which still remains to be conquered; urging them to be “very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that they turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left.”  He bids them take good heed therefore unto themselves, that they love the Lord their God; and warns them that if they go back and do wickedly, the anger of the Lord will be kindled against them, and they will perish quickly from off the good land which God has given them.