Places of Refuge for the Traveler and the Stranger

In the days of old, when the earth was yet young and the sons of men journeyed afar, the weary traveler and the stranger sought refuge beneath the sheltering hand of God’s people. For it is written, “Thou shalt not oppress a stranger: for ye know the heart of a stranger, seeing ye were strangers in the land of Egypt” (Exodus 23:9). Thus, places of refuge were established—sanctuaries of rest and safety in a world oft marked by peril.

From the cities of refuge ordained by the Lord for the manslayer (Numbers 35), to the humble inns along dusty highways, these havens were a testament to divine mercy and human compassion. In these places, the pursuer’s hand was stayed, and the weary found peace. The altar of refuge was more than stone and shelter; it was a symbol of God’s justice and grace made manifest among men.

The stranger entering the gates was received with open arms, the host mindful of the sacred charge to provide bread, water, and rest. “When thou comest into thy neighbour’s vineyard, then thou shalt not eat grapes thy neighbour’s vineyard” (Deuteronomy 23:24), yet the neighbor’s house was a refuge for the wayfarer, a place where the burdens of the road were lightened and hearts refreshed.

In the wilderness and in the city, the Lord’s people remembered their own sojourn in a foreign land, and thus showed kindness to all who passed their way. As the Psalmist declares, “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1), so too did the traveler abide under the shadow of the hospitality granted by God’s faithful.

Let us hold fast to this ancient charge, that we may be as places of refuge to those who wander, reflecting the mercy of the Lord who is a refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1). For in welcoming the stranger, we open the door to God’s blessings and walk in the paths of righteousness.