The Cities of Refuge

You take your Bibles and turn with me to Joshua chapter number 20. Joshua chapter number 20.

as we continue our study throughout this book,

tonight's passage of scripture is going to be a blessing. I was blessed to studying. Over this chapter. Let's open up. And read and Joshua 20 and starting with verse one. It says the Lord also spoke to Joshua saying speak to the children of Israel saying, I point for yourselves Cities of Refuge of which I spoke to you through Moses that the Slayer who kills a person accidentally or unintentionally, May flee there. And they shall be your Refuge from the Avenger of blood. And when he flees to one of those cities and stands at the entrance of the Gate of the city and declares his case, and the hearing of the Elders of that City, they shall take him into the city as one of them and give him a place that he made the well among them. Then if the Avenger of blood pursues him, they shall not deliver the Slayer into his hand because he struck his neighbor unintentionally, but did not hate him beforehand. And he shall dwell in the city until he stands before the congregation for judgment, and until the death of the one who is high priest in those days, then the Slayer May return and come to his own, come to his own City, and his own house to the city, which he fled. So they appointed Kiddush in Galilee in the mountains of Neftali, she come in the mountains of Ephraim and courage off Arbor, which is Hebron in the mountains of Judah. And on the other side of the Jordan, by Jericho East for the assigned bees are in the wilderness of the plane and the tribe of Ruben Ramos in Gilead, the tribe of GAD and golden and fashion from the tribe of Manasseh. There were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel and for the stranger who dwelt among them that whoever killed a person accidentally might flee their and not die. By the hand of the Avenger of blood, until he stood before the congregation. Let's pray, Our Father Lord, we are grateful or for this day that you given us. This beautiful day Lord that we can just enjoy the warmth and the Sunshine and father, we are just enjoying the fellowship and the singing tonight. And father, I pray that to those who have made it made an effort to come tonight. Lord, that you would bless them through your word that you would feed them. Encouraged them as we'd look at the Cities of Refuge father may we see your son Jesus and salvation that he has provided for us. So that we can run to him and find Safety and Security. Father, I pray that you bless the Children and Youth downstairs. Bless the teachers will give you all the praise and glory. We ask these things in Christ name, amen. I will last week left off in chapter 15, looking at Caleb and the blessing of his obedience and then the chapters following that chapter 16 through chapters, 19 are chapters really devoted to the dividing of the land to the 12 tribes of Israel. And so as we come to chapter 20, we see that the land of Canaan has been possessed and has been subdued. As I said, the various tribes have now received their inheritance and sayings. For the most part are starting to slow down, as they as the conquest is concerning all the battles that they have fought and are starting to slow down, as they have pretty much Concord. The new land. with that said, there is still some unfinished work that needs to be done by Joshua and the people of Israel In this chapter, we find them. Audi command. That was first given to Moses in Numbers chapter 35, they were to a point six cities that were to be known as Cities of Refuge of these cities were to be, made available to someone who has killed another person, not intentionally but by accident, They can flee to one of these City at one of these, six cities and find safety, they can find a refuge of help. so it is the Cities of Refuge and I want us to consider this evening as we consider these Cities of Refuge it really paints for us, a very clear picture of the Salvation that is only found in Jesus Christ, Our Lord I notice with me, first of all, the purpose, Of The Refuge, the purpose. Are the Refuge. Well we've read. In verses 1 through 6. How that the Lord knew that occasions? There will be occasions, that would arise where a person accidentally or unintentionally killed another person. And we call that today manslaughter. Were, there was no premeditation at whatsoever. It was just an accident that did not mean to kill the individual. There could be many examples of this but let's say and their day a man could be chopping wood and ass he's chopping wood. The axe flies off the handle and hits another man in the temple and it kills him. Well, the City of Refuge was to protect this individual of accused of manslaughter, from with the scripture cause the Avenger of blood.

Not to give you some more background on this, in the Middle East, the tribal members have the responsibility to punish any wrong done to their tribe. Even in the case of an accident, the nearest male relative was duty-bound to avenge the blood or death of a family member. He was the reclaimer of the blood and he was the one who demanded restitution of blood and by executing a person who killed or shed blood of a person of of their tribe, he would bring back then, at the honor of the family. And this is why the Avenger hotly and very quickly. Pursued the manslayer, we have an example of this in 1st Samuel. In the life of King Saul. when saw broke his Covenant with the gibeonites and he slaughtered a vast majority of them. oh, David determined to correct the Injustice, he asked them the price of Retribution or restitution What this point saw was already dead. So, the gibeonites asked for 7 of Saul's Sons to be delivered to them for execution. And David fulfilled their request. And so, the honor of the gibeonites was reclaimed and Justice was served. And so with this background that are mine,

The mindset of the Avenger and the refugee had to quickly get to one of the six Cities of Refuge for protection before the blood Avenger caught him. And could legally kill him based on an eye for an eye, and tooth for tooth. if the manslayer, if the person who killed another individual accidentally, or unintentionally made it to the city, Inside one of the Cities of Refuge you would find security, he would find safety. You would find serenity. Outside of the city for this individual would be deaf. Despair, doom and destruction. This Refugee, this person who had committed this manslaughter. He better not delay. Because it Ventura blood was going to be on his tail and for him to the delay was very dangerous and disastrous. He did not need to debate it outside of that City. He did not need to try to argue his point outside of that City, that would mean death. And then, for him to hesitate. For him to just procrastinate would be hopeless. Offer him to try to fight back. Would be foolish. The person who did such an act must flee, he must get inside the gates of the city. Because a manslayer could die even on the steps of the gates of the city. He had to be inside to find the security and the safety. So, the Cities of Refuge were very, very important. And because there was so important, the cities.

Because they were so important. There were several conditions that were to be met. A friend since the cities were Spread spread out in such a way throughout the land. So that residents could be within, at least a Day's Journey to get there. The Cities of Refuge were placed on heels. Or they could be easily seen. They were for all men. They said he's a refuge, were not just for the Jews, but they were also for gentiles. But also, the access to the cities were to be as easy as possible. The leaders of Israel, the Sanhedrin will responsible to maintain the roads to the cities. The roads had to be free from any stumbling boss. They had to be free from all obstacles. There had to be Bridges as matter fact, the bridges themselves had to be a certain width. They had to be at least 48, ft wide. There had to be large signs, erected on every corner street on every corner pass that red Refuge. The sign had to be large enough so that it could be easily seen or read if the individual was running for his life.

The gates of the cities were always open.

And they were always attended to 24 hours a day by men. Whose Duty was to receive these fugitives. And once they're the manslayer will be given shelter. You would be given food. And once he was there, he would then plead his case before the elders in a trial. The trial was usually just days after. The person would enter into the City of Refuge, he will be judged by at least 23 different officials and for him to be found guilty of murder, all 23 had to agree.

If if you if the fugitive was found guilty of intentionally premeditated murder, he was then turned over to the Avenger of blood that nearest Keon of the relative he killed. For execution. Now that the fugitive was found innocent of the charges of premeditated murder, The Fugitive would live in the City of Refuge, till the death of the high priest. And when the high priests that died, he could then return home. Safely. If the fugitive died in the city. The bones were turned over to the family upon the death of the high priest, so the can kind of get you some background. More details upon these, that these Cities of Refuge, can we see the purpose of this? This was for the person who committed manslaughter, he did not mean to kill his neighbor and so he flees to these Cities of Refuge or else the nearest of kin would catch him and kill him. Let's look at secondly, the provision. Of these cities. The provision of this Refuge will notice. First of all, they were provided by God. They were provided by God again and Joshua, 20in verse 1. The Lord also spoke to Joshua saying speak to the children of Israel saying a point for yourselves yourselves Cities of Refuge of which I spoke to you through, Moses. They were provided by God. In other words, man did not come up with the idea to create these six different Cities of Refuge. This was God's plan. This was God's idea. This was a notion that was birthed in the heart and mind of God. He wanted to teach his people that murderers had to pay for their crimes against the Avenger of blood.

Got also wanted to teach his people that there was a place for mercy and a place of safety. For those who are only guilty of an accident. Therefore God gave them the Cities of Refuge. But do you see already? The picture of Christ in these cities. Do you see the picture of Salvation? Which the Old Testament gives us so many times? He's pointing us to Christ.

Jesus Christ. Just as God gave the Cities of Refuge to those who were in need of it. God also gave us the gift of Jesus Christ. John 3:16 houses for God. So loved the world that he gave his only begotten son.

And so Christianity, and salvation. Through the shed blood of Jesus. Just as the Cities of Refuge was not Manza. I did. It was God's idea. So too, is salvation. Salvation did not originate in the heart of man.

Now, this thing of Salvation is all God's idea from start to finish, salvation is completely the work of God. And so they were provided by bigod, the Cities of Refuge but also they were provided by grace Again, gone could have allowed the manslayer. The man guilty of manslaughter to die, just like any other person who had taken another person's life. however, in his grace, he made a way that those folks who accidentally had taken the life of another might find a refuge, you might find help And beloved listen in the same way, God could have allowed Sinners to all Sinners to die and to go to hell. I mean, after all we were guilty in his sight, we deserve nothing. Nothing. The praise the Lord, just as God in his grace gave these men, these these men guilty of manslaughter, these Cities of Refuge. So to God sent his son to take our sins upon himself on the cross. Jesus Paid the price that Sinners Like You and Me might live through him. So we see the provision. But this idea was God's. Notice the picture.

We see the picture of Jesus Christ in the picture of sinners.

The purpose and provision of the Cities of Refuge are a beautiful picture of the center and his relationship with Jesus Christ. As I said, the cities were appointed by God himself. They were not man's devising. The gospel is not some human invention. Salvation like the cities are the result of God's grace and God's mercy toward the center. The city's provided salvation and shelter. Notice this for anyone. And salvation is for everyone who believes Acts 4:12. Neither is there salvation in any other for there is none. Other name under Heaven. Given among men whereby we must be saved. Romans 10:13 says, for whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. And then we noticed that this these cities were placed upon a mouse and all they were placed on a heel so that they then to be easily seen. And blood. Listen Christ, our refuge Christ, Our Savior has been highly exalted.

Acts 5:31. Does him have gone exalted with his right hand? To be a prince and a Saviour for to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins.

As a fugitive. Was pursued by the Avenger. We too are also pursued.

The law of God. Is the blood Avenger against a center. We have killed and trampled God's Commandments we have seeing we've broken God's law and we know the wages of sin is what death. Romans 6:23 houses that the payment of sand, the wages of sin is death. But in Christ in Christ, we find safety, we find security, we find Serenity and peace outside of Christ. Just like those outside of the Cities of Refuge, there's death, doom and destruction.

Debating or arguing about Christ. Which mini do today. They will try their best to try to argue and try to prove that Christ does not exist. Listen, if you debate and argue about Christ, it will lead to death. You must be born again. You must be in Christ, just like hesitation and procrastination in the Cities of Refuge if that person was to hesitate and procrastinate, it would mean death for him. And so too, it is for the sinner who procrastinates and puts off salvation.

You have to be in Christ to be saved. There is no almost being saved. You are either in Christ and saved or you're outside of price and you're lost.

Sinners must flee to Christ. Just as a fugitive, fled to the city, you must flee to Christ. When shall we flee to Christ now? Now is the appointed time, listen to what Paul said. He said. In 2nd, Corinthians 6, verse 24, he says in and accept the word in an acceptable time I have heard you and in the day of salvation, I have helped you behold. Now is the accepted time we hold. Now is the day of salvation.

And then listen as cities were easily accessible. salvation for the center is accessible to listen to what the psalmist said in Psalm 34 Verse 18 know, Lord is not unto them. He is near unto them that are of a broken heart. And save such a one as with a contrite spirit. Isaiah 51. Verse 5. he said my righteousness is near my salvation is before you there's accessibility today for the sinner to be saved.

And just as the gates of the city were always open salvation in Christ. Is at hand, if you will believe.

Psalm 145 Verse 18, very similar to Psalm 34:18 says, the Lord is near unto all them that call upon him. Do all that call upon him in truth. John 6:37 tells us all that the father Jesus had this all that the father gives me shall come to me and him that comes to me. I shall in no wise cast out.

And then listen. All the days, the high priest lived. The man-slayer had to stay in the city, as long as they stayed in that City, there was no condemnation whatsoever that could befall him. He was Secure, you can save it and not have to worry about the Avenger of blood coming into the city and pulling him out and destroying him. And beloved listen to this. We are secure in Christ. We are safe in Christ. We have no combination. Before us Romans, 8:1 tells us there is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.

And our high priest is Jesus Christ. He is alive and he lives forever. More, we are eternally. Secure in him.

and then, The death of the high priest. Secure the full and final Deliverance of The Fugitive that found Refuge there. His death is the death of the high priest freed, the fugitive, from the sentence. For the high priest Dash became then a propitiation of the offense. And friends, think about this Christ is our high priest. His death upon the cross was the appeasement instead of a sentence with the word satisfaction and they propitiation for our sins. That's what John tells us.

Christ is our City of Refuge.

He preserves all that flee to him. For mercy. He is the divinely appointed savior, who was able to save to the uttermost, all who come to God by him. I love Hebrews 6:18.

It says that by two immutable things. In which it is impossible. For God to lie. We might have strong consolation who have fled for Refuge to lay hold of the Hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the Soul, both sure. And steadfast And which enters the presents behind the veil where the 4Runner has entered for us. Even Jesus having become high priest forever cording to the order of Melchizedek Tremendous picture of Jesus Jimenez, picture of our salvation and is found only in Jesus. I noticed quickly the places of Refuge The first place that has mentioned is the word kadish denver7. The word Kiddush means Sanctuary. It means holy righteousness. Consecrated empty dish. We see a picture of Jesus Christ. The Holy One of God. In Christ, we have a sanctuary of Holiness in this present, world of sin in which, we live. When Christ is your savior, the first thing he does is, what did you do? He cleanses you from all your sin, then you see the Second City of Refuge and verse 7. She come The word chica means shoulder. The shoulder is pictured and it symbolizes the place of strength. In a place of safety. Jesus Christ is our strength. And he is our security. That when we submit to Christ, he gives us strength to help us. He gives us strength to keep us eat shoulders are burdens. and then we also say in verse 7, the word Hebron As a city Refuge name, Hebron? It means communion or Fellowship. Bloodless, when we submit to Christ, we are brought into communion and fellowship with God, the Father. We were once in enmity between God and ourselves because of our sins have now been made by unto God, because of Christ. And the result of that fellowship with God is praised for him. He gives joy and that is unspeakable and full of Glory. I 1st John 1:3 tells us that which we have seen and heard declare win to you. That you also may have fellowship with us and truly. Our fellowship is with the father and with his son Jesus Christ. The next city Refuge is the word Deezer. These are is the word that means Fortress. It is a very secure place. And that's a picture. How the Lord? Our Savior Lord? Jesus Christ, is our Fortress, Is Our Security, in the wilderness of this world. He is our secure place, he is our Fortress Nahum 1:7. It says the Lord is good. A stronghold in the day of trouble. And he knows them that trust in him. Psalm 91 verse two towels. So, I will say of the Lord, he is my refuge and my Fortress, He is my God in him, will I trust? And then we say the word ramoth. The word ramoth means height.

Or exaltation or victory. It is in Christ, we are elevated above the world to sit in Heavenly places. If he's 26 Christ is highly exalted above all powers and principalities

the notice the last City of Refuge as mention is a word of goal on. It means. Joy joy.

Christ is our source of joy. And when he is the joy of our life, we become like the good ground and Christ's parable of the sower. Romans 5 verse 11. Says this and not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ by whom we have now received atonement. And it 1st Peter 1:8 towels is whom having not seen you love and whom though. Now you see him not yet, believing you rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of Glory. Jesus Christ is the Refuge for mankind. I pray that you are blessed by just being reminded of the Cities of Refuge and what they picture for us. That our refuge, our safety. That we are to run to is Jesus Christ Our Lord. So I pray that you would just be blessed by that.

My thoughts this evening, we're going to take some time for prayer request.