They have divided the conquered land and what’s the first thing God reminds them to do? Setup cities of refuge for accidental and unintentional murderers. Was accidental murders so prevalent that it became a priority or was God teaching them something? Maybe it shows how much importance God gave to innocent life and he doesn’t take pleasure in random killing as some of the earlier chapters might have implied

OK, that’s a controversial statement. I don’t think the earlier chapters implied that, quite as much

Honestly, it is quite hard to comment on these chapters without doing a more in depth study into the culture, times and covenant of the OT. Daily readings do not justify it

The Lord already spoke to Moses to appoint six cities of refuge: three cities beyond Jordan and three cities in the land of Canaan (Numbers 35:9-15). Here in this chapter, the Lord reminds Joshua. This helps me to understand the importance of cities of refuge.

There is a distinction made between intentional and unintentional killing.In new testament we read மரணத்துக்கேதுவான பாவம் in ரோமர் 6:16
– both look similar but I am not sure. Better not to sin…

(v3) Lord said to Joshua “Anyone who kills a person accidentally and unintentionally may flee there and find protection from the avenger of blood.”
-Anyone who does mistakes accidentally and unintentionally may have a chance at God’s sight to seek protection in him. Please note that God is not even talking about the one who does mistakes “intentionally”.
-(John 9:39) Jesus said “For judgement I have come into this world, so that the blind will see (one who doesn’t know word of God will be forgiven of his sins and he will “see” eternal) and those who see will become blind (one who knows the word of God and does sin will be punished and he will not “see” eternal).

Comparing to the cities of refuge, God is our refuge. Psalm 46:1 says -God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. When we are in God’s will, we can face even the most dangerous situations with confidence, because God is with us. He promises to be our refuge. Deuteronomy 31:6 says-He will never leave you nor forsake you. The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me??? God is the only refuge we will ever find.