Boone Advent Christian Church: a City of Refuge

Introduction

Have you ever had to take refuge? The dictionary defines refuge as “a shelter or protection from danger, trouble, etc.

Psalm 46:1 NIV84

1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.

It is fitting to see that God is all about refuge. He wants His people to be protected not only from the storms we face produced by the weather, but the storms we face in life. God designed a plan, purpose, a process and initiated protection from all kinds of storms we might face.

Joshua 20:1–9 NIV84

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 he flees to one of these cities, he is to stand in the entrance of the city gate and state his case before the elders of that city. Then they are to admit him into their city and give him a place to live with them. 5 If the avenger of blood pursues him, they must not surrender the one accused, because he killed his neighbor unintentionally and without malice aforethought. 6 He is to stay in that city until he has stood trial before the assembly and until the death of the high priest who is serving at that time. Then he may go back to his own home in the town from which he 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 On the east side of the Jordan of Jericho they designated Bezer in the desert 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 alien living 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.

Let’s look at the plan God shared with Joshua.

The Plan (vs. 1-2)

God has a plan

First we notice God has a plan. Remember God is about order and not chaos. The first two verses of the Bible shows us that God was not pleased with disorder.

Genesis 1:1–2 NIV84

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

The words for formless and empty indicate a chaotic state. So God spoke creation into being. From the beginning of known time, God has had a plan. Throughout the Bible reveals His plan for His people.

God reveals His plan

So it is no surprise that God reveals His plan to Joshua. This is a continuation of the plan that God first told Moses about in Numbers 35:2

Numbers 35:2 NIV84

2 “Command the Israelites to give the Levites towns to live in from the inheritance the Israelites will possess. And give them pasturelands around the towns.

And more specifically in Numbers 35:6

Numbers 35:6 NIV84

6 “Six of the towns you give the Levites will be cities of refuge, to which a person who has killed someone may flee. In addition, give them forty-two other towns.

Six towns were to be cities of refuge. One thing I have learned about God and His word, He carries out His plan.

God carries out His plan

While still on the other side of the Jordan, God had instructed Moses blood for blood. Life blood was to be accounted for in all capacities. But what about that blood that happened as an accident? The justice system God established provided a system of punishment for criminals. However, it also established that a person deserves protection until the matter of guilt or innocence is proven. Isn’t just like our God to plan a way of redemption for His people?

Psalm 40:5 NIV84

5 Many, O Lord my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare.

God had a plan in mind for His people. That plan had a purpose.

The Purpose (vs. 3)

Verse three clearly shows that purpose being a place where people could flee that had killed someone accidentally and unintentionally. According to Jewish tradition, roads leading to these cities were kept in excellent condition. Crossroads were well marked with signposts that said the equivalent of “Refuge! Refuge!” Runners were stationed along the way to guide the fugitives.

A place of refuge

The purpose was to establish a place of refuge. Six cities were declared as places in which anyone could go. Why would God command six different locations? God will do all He can to make it convenient for His people to have refuge! They Jewish tradition even provided guides and runners to show people the way! Church what might happen if we had that same mentality. What if there signs that pointed people to a place of refuge at our church? Part of the plan of God was to have a place of refuge. It was also a place of restoration.

A place of restoration

If refuge is a place that is a shelter or protection, then one could also find restoration there. Restoration is the act of restoring. It is renewal, revival and reestablishment. These cities of refuge provided an opportunity for the accused to plea their cases before the elders. Then the people could find a new opportunity. What if our churches were places of restoration where renewal, revival and reestablishment could take place? Another purpose that we see in these places of refuge was a place of redemption.

A place of redemption

Redemption is an act of redeeming or atoning for a fault or mistake. The purpose is that the person could live as if the fault or mistake did not exist. Can you believe that is God’s desire? What if our church’s truly were a place of redemption?

Establishing cities of refuge are also described in God’s process.

The Process (vs. 4-6)

Verses 4-6 speak of three distinct ways people can flee.

Flee from

First they flee from the place where there has been an accidental or unintentional death. The law stated that if death was intentional, then the death penalty would be accessed. If the death was unintentional, the person would not be liable. The person would flee to the city of refuge. However, the avenger would have his right to kill, remember blood for blood.

Flee to

We see that these cities were located in such a way that the person could easily find safe haven.

Flee for

The person would flee from the avenger to the city of refuge for the opportunity for complete redemption. They could remain in the city of refuge until the high priest died. Then he could go anywhere he desired because the death of the high priest symbolically terminates the guilt.

The plan is important. The purpose is important. The process is in important. But what I want you to see is the power.

The Power (vs. 7-9)

At first glance, one might think nothing about the six cities being mentioned here. You might think, “Oh that’s nice, the cities are named.” However, a deeper dive into the names you will see something that is quite fascinating. Let’s look at the first named city.

Joshua 20:7 NIV84

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.

Kedesh

Kedesh/Righteousness

Kedesh was a city south of Judah. It was a fortified city alloted to the Naphtali. Kedesh also means holy. It is a place set aside to be holy. Righteousness also plays a part of it. Another word that might help is sanctified. Jesus spoke of this idea. John 17:19

John 17:19 NIV84

19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.

Refuge was found in Kedesh because it was considered a holy, sanctified place that gave the refugees righteousness.

Shechem

Shechem/ A Shoulder

The second city was Shechem. It was located north of Jerusalem and east of Samaria. Shechem also means a shoulder or back. Think about where you have heard the word shoulder.

Isaiah 9:6 NIV84

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

The refugees could go to a place where the government rested on the shoulders of God who had designed the judicial process. There is another example of shoulders being used in the Bible.

Luke 15:4–5 NIV84

4 “Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? 5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders

The Good Shepherd carries His sheep on His shoulders.

Hebron

Hebron/Fellowship

The third city is listed as Kiriath Arba (that is Hebron). It is a city in south Judah, 20 miles south of Jerusalem and 20 miles north of Beersheba. The word Hebron means association or fellowship. In the Garden of Eden, sin broke the fellowship between God and mankind. The refugee coming to Hebron could find fellowship restored the things of his past. I am reminded of something that Paul wrote about fellowship.

1 Corinthians 1:9 NIV84

9 God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful.

Bezer

Bezer/Fortification

Look at Joshua 20:8 once again.

Joshua 20:8 NIV84

8 On the east side of the Jordan of Jericho they designated Bezer in the desert 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.

The fourth city is called Bezer. It is a city in the downs east of the Jordan. Bezer means fortification or fortress. The refugees could find safety in the security of this city. Psalm 59:16

Psalm 59:16 NIV84

16 But I will sing of your strength, in the morning I will sing of your love; for you are my fortress, my refuge in times of trouble.

Another word for fortification or fortress is the word security.

Hebrews 6:19 NIV84

19 We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain,

Ramoth

Ramoth/High and Exalted

The fifth city is Ramoth. It is a place in Gilead but we are not sure exactly where it was. Interestingly, the word Ramoth means a high place or exalted. Psalm 18:33

Psalm 18:33 NIV84

33 He makes my feet like the feet of a deer; he enables me to stand on the heights.

The refugee could go to Ramoth and be on that high place. The Bible also talks about one that will be on a high place.

Isaiah 52:13 NIV84

13 See, my servant will act wisely; he will be raised and lifted up and highly exalted.

Golan

Golan/Joy and Exultation

The last city is Golan. A town of Manasseh in the heights of Bashan east of the Jordan. This word for the city of refuge is joy or exultation. The protection of the refugee was like was is stated in Isaiah 14:8

Isaiah 14:8 NIV84

8 Even the pine trees and the cedars of Lebanon exult over you and say, “Now that you have been laid low, no woodsman comes to cut us down.”

The exultation and the people rejoicing, what a safe and happy place!

The refugees that went to one of these cities would experience safety, peace and redemption. These cities had easy access. They refugees that entered the cities and were safe. The avengers of the law could not access them! The people of Israel had the advantage of God’s plan, His purpose, His process and even His power in the way these cities of refuge were set up.

We today, have a greater place of refuge, His name is Jesus.

Jesus gives His righteousness and you and I as sinners are never accused again.

Romans 8:1 NIV84

1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,

Like a shepherd, Jesus carries us on His shoulders and we enter into fellowship with Him. He is our fortress and in Him we are safe. We can dwell in the heights with joy and exultation. Even though we are exiles, pilgrims on a journey, strangers perhaps in a land, we can find a home in Jesus. I mentioned that the cities of refuge were easy to access. They had signs and runners to point them the way. The gates of Jesus are never locked.

John 10:9 NIV84

9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.

Our church needs to be known as a place of refuge. We need signs to point people the way. Who will post a sign? We need runners to guide them here. Who will be our runners? Let’s get busy being a place of refuge and show them how to find ultimate refuge in Jesus!

Boone Advent Christian Church