Just when you think you’re catching the groove from Moses in Deuteronomy, he stops the entire narrative to give a bunch of background information.
In truth, this section between Deuteronomy 4:41-49 sets the literal stage for everything that’s about to take place. We learn here that they’re “in the valley opposite Beth-Peor” (Deuteronomy 4:46), that they have possession of the land of Og and Sihon (Deuteronomy 4:46-47), and what the boundaries of that land actually are (Deuteronomy 4:47-49).
The inclusion of the cities of refuge is interesting, though. It’s only three verses long and repeats the same points about cities of refuge that were made in Numbers 35. He’ll even go into more detail later in Deuteronomy 19. Why briefly talk about it now?
Unfortunately, I don’t have a great answer for you. The only thing that I can piece together is that the mention here is connected to the larger sermon material that will start in Deuteronomy 5. Beginning there, Moses will outline the Law (again); it’s possible he talks about the cities of refuge to let the reader know where sanctuary can be found if the Law is broken.
Other writers have more reasonable conclusions. One has stated, for instance, that Moses including these three cities here is indicative of him doing what he can before he eventually passes away.
This section does come on the heels of Moses mentioning twice that he begged God to let him enter Canaan (Deuteronomy 3:35-39; 4:21-24), only to be rebuffed. As such, the only thing he can do is help pick out some cities of refuge on the land that’s already been conquered.
That’s difficult given Numbers 35:10, though, which expressly teaches that those cities should be chosen after they cross into Canaan. Since some of the tribes are settling now, before the conquest, it makes sense to establish some of these cities so that offenders would have somewhere to go before the whole land is conquered.
Still others claim that this section operates as a sort of reset. Before this, Moses had been speaking in the past tense. Now, he operates in the present and future. Even though the location doesn’t change (both are in Beth-Peor), the intent does, so it’s worth mentioning where exactly they are.
What do you think about why Moses interjects this section here? Drop me a line at [email protected] and let me know!