Joshua 20

God Provides Refuge

Text: Joshua 20

Introduction

Q — How many of you are thankful you don’t live in a society where terrorism is roaming the streets and in your neighborhood?

Illustration: I was thinking back to the driver who transported the mission truck to Belize.

Illustration: I had a 45 minute with the missionary we support to Ukraine. While we were talking, there were two missile strikes that were loud enough for him to move away from the windows. He said the closest the missile strikes have gotten was one mile away.

Joshua chapter 20 brings to light that God is very aware of the kind of jungle-like law within human society that has been happening since the first human family. Abel was murdered by his brother Cain. This lawless act happens all the time!

The earliest Biblical discovery of this vendetta type of human law is found in: Genesis 4:23–24 “23 And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; Ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: For I have slain a man to my wounding, And a young man to my hurt. 24 If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, Truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.”

Later there is more of an ethical control put in place: Exodus 21:23–25 “23 And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, 24 Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.” In other words, the punishment is to be proportionate to the crime.

Then there is further ethical structure regarding someone who would commit involuntary manslaughter: Exodus 21:12–14 “12 He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death. 13 And if a man lie not in wait, but God deliver him into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee. 14 But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die.”

1) God’s Plan Of Justice And Peace

As Israel claims their land and moves in, God specifies 6 cities to be cities of refuge. These would be places of safety and compassion for anyone who unintentionally killed someone to flee and receive a proper hearing at the entrance of the city.

Three cities within Canaan: Kadesh in the hills of Galilee; Shechem in the hills of Ephraim; Hebron in the hills of Judah

There would be 3 more cities to serve the same purpose for those living in Trans-Jordan: Bezer in Reuben; Ramoth in Gilead; Golan in Bashan.

Who were these cities for? Only for the Jews or also for Gentiles?

God was teaching them that all people deserved the same justice, compassion, protection, living space, and grace.

Q — How many of you believe that people can abuse the law?

God was building a plan of refuge to prevent such abuse from happening.

Since the “next of kin” became the “avenger of blood” emotions could easily assist in twisting God’s law of capital punishment.

Some may not want to believe this, but our very own Western legal systems was built upon God’s legal design (innocent until proven guilty).

2) Spiritual Parallels

After my own reflections on these scriptures, I came across some headings from the Bible expositor A.W. Pink. I couldn’t really formulate them any better. So, I am going to share the same headings with you.

He comments on these cities by pointing out 10 things...

1. Appointed by God

This reminds me of the One who became our spiritual refuge; Jesus Christ!

Revelation 13:8 “8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”

2. Given to provide shelter from the avenger

This reveals the fact that no sinner can out run or forever avoid God’s justice on our own.

Like the one who ran to one of these cities, we too must run to Jesus in order to find grace.

3. Placed on a high elevation

God strategically located these cites on hills of higher elevation. This ensured that anyone could find these cities.

Q — What kind of elevation was Jesus crucified?

The exaltation of Jesus even comes into view.

4. There were plainly marked

“Jewish writers say that there was a law in Israel that, one day in every year, people were sent to repair the roads leading to these cities so as to remove all stumbling stones and to make certain that the signposts were clear.” (John Huffman)

Doesn’t the Bible teach us not to be a spiritual stumbling block?

5. They had easy access

Not only were they easily to see, they could be reached in a relative short amount of time. Some say they could be reached with a day.

Psalm 34:18 “18 The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; And saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”

6. Provided protection

The avenger of blood would have been the next of kin to the one who was killed.

Only those who acknowledge the crime, yet have done so unintentionally were able to seek refuge.

Jesus is a savior for those who are not denying their sin nor deliberately living in sin.

Like the refugee who fled to the city of refuge, whomever flees to Jesus from their sin will find gracious mercy.

7. The refugee had to live there

If the ruling proved no “intention to kill” was in play, that person would have to remain in that city. He/she could not return to their former home.

It gives us the picture of a believer who should abide in Jesus at all times!

8. Available for Jews and Gentiles

Reminds us of how the Gospel is available to everyone!

9. Death of the high priest secured full and final deliverance

Only at the death of the High Priest would that persons sin be fully pardoned. It could never be brought back up against them!

Jesus’ death on the cross paid our full price of guilt!

3) Significance of the city names

Kadesh signifies “holy”; Shechem means “shoulder”; Hebron means “fellowship”; Bezer means a “fortified place”; Ramoth means “height” or “exultation”; and Golan means “exultation” or “joy.”