Refuge! Refuge!

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Opening Prayer

Mighty God, Your will stands firm forever. Your truth endures from age to age. I give all praise to You.

Read Joshua 20

^[1] Then the LORD said to Joshua: ^[2] “Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses, ^[3] so that anyone who kills a person accidentally and unintentionally may flee there and find protection from the avenger of blood. ^[4] When they flee to one of these cities, they are to stand in the entrance of the city gate and state their case before the elders of that city. Then the elders are to admit the fugitive into their city and provide a place to live among them. ^[5] If the avenger of blood comes in pursuit, the elders must not surrender the fugitive, because the fugitive killed their neighbor unintentionally and without malice aforethought. ^[6] They are to stay in that city until they have stood trial before the assembly and until the death of the high priest who is serving at that time. Then they may go back to their own home in the town from which they fled.” ^[7] So they set apart Kedesh in Galilee in the hill country of Naphtali, Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron) in the hill country of Judah. ^[8] East of the Jordan (on the other side from Jericho) they designated Bezer in the wilderness on the plateau in the tribe of Reuben, Ramoth in Gilead in the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan in the tribe of Manasseh. ^[9] Any of the Israelites or any foreigner residing among them who killed someone accidentally could flee to these designated cities and not be killed by the avenger of blood prior to standing trial before the assembly.

Meditate

“I keep my eyes always on the Lord. With him at my right hand, I shall not be shaken” (Psa. 16:8). Truly our Lord Jesus Christ is our refuge.

Think Further

The Lord told Joshua to designate six cities of refuge, as provided by his

Law (Exod. 21:12,13) and as previously instructed (Num. 35:6–32). These cities were spread

throughout the land for easy access and offered refuge to “anyone who kills a person accidentally

and unintentionally” (3). An accidental death could stir within the victim’s relative (“avenger of

blood”; 3) an emotional response that sought a life for a life. In this case, the man who caused

the victim’s accidental death could flee to a city of refuge where he would be safe (4,5). He

would be tried there to exclude guilt and would remain in the city until the high priest died, after

which he was free to return home (6). The avenger would consider

the high priest’s death as a substitute for the killer’s death.

Most of the cities of refuge were located on mountaintops and easily visible day and night.

Extra-biblical sources indicate that there were clear road signs, indicating “Refuge,” pointing to

these cities. This was to provide the accidental killer clear directions and easy access. These

cities, however, did not provide refuge for actual murderers (Num. 35:16–31). They ensured that

the Promised Land was a land of justice.

We can compare the cities of refuge to Jesus our ultimate Refuge. He is the hope for those who

have fled (Heb. 6:18). He, in fact, is a far better refuge. The cities offered refuge for the innocent,

but Jesus offers refuge for the guilty, which we all are. As our high priest, his death frees us and

his risen life offers us eternal hope (Heb. 7:23–28). He is not far away but actually seeks us (Rev.

3:20) and will not reject anyone who comes to him in faith (John 6:37). He is our eternal Refuge.

The Lord told Joshua to designate six cities of refuge, as provided by his Law (Exod. 21:12,13) and as previously instructed (Num. 35:6–32). These cities were spread throughout the land for easy access and offered refuge to “anyone who kills a person accidentally and unintentionally” (3). An accidental death could stir within the victim’s relative (“avenger of
blood”; 3) an emotional response that sought a life for a life. In this case, the man who caused the victim’s accidental death could flee to a city of refuge where he would be safe (4,5). He would be tried there to exclude guilt and would remain in the city until the high priest died, after which he was free to return home (6). The avenger would consider the high priest’s death as a substitute for the killer’s death.
Most of the cities of refuge were located on mountaintops and easily visible day and night. Extra-biblical sources indicate that there were clear road signs, indicating “Refuge,” pointing to these cities. This was to provide the accidental killer clear directions and easy access. These cities, however, did not provide refuge for actual murderers (Num. 35:16–31). They ensured that the Promised Land was a land of justice.
We can compare the cities of refuge to Jesus our ultimate Refuge. He is the hope for those who have fled (Heb. 6:18). He, in fact, is a far better refuge. The cities offered refuge for the innocent, but Jesus offers refuge for the guilty, which we all are. As our high priest, his death frees us and his risen life offers us eternal hope (Heb. 7:23–28). He is not far away but actually seeks us (Rev. 3:20) and will not reject anyone who comes to him in faith (John 6:37). He is our eternal Refuge.

Apply

Have you found refuge in Jesus? Do you think you and your church like the road signs that point to Jesus as God’s refuge offered to all (Israelites and aliens, 9)?

Closing prayer

Heavenly Father, You are my refuge and my strength. I praise You for the assurance Jesus gives me.

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