THE CITIES OF REFUGE

Old Testament stories are pictures of New Testament concepts

In the cities of Refuge we have a picture of the church

For ancient Israel, cities of refuge were critically linked to God’s command not to defile the land, which was His dwelling place (Num 35:33–34). Any bloodshed—even unintentional—polluted the land. The only provisions for keeping the land pure after a person was killed were the judicial execution of a willful murderer (Num 35:30–2) or the removal of the unintentional killer to a city of refuge (Num 35:25, 28).

Numbers 35 provides the most detailed description of the cities of refuge—their establishment, form, operation, and purpose. When a person was killed accidentally, the victim’s family members could legitimately avenge this shedding of innocent blood (Num 35:19). However, the killer could flee to a city of refuge, and the family members were forbidden from exacting vengeance when the killer was within the boundaries of one of those cities (Num 35:26). The only time the killer could safely leave the city of refuge was upon the death of the high priest (Num 35:28). At that point, the killer could return to his hometown, and the avenger could no longer legitimately take his life.

The cities temporarily provided refuge to any killer until a trial was held (Num 35:12; Levenson, “Judaism,” 480). Numbers provides extensive instructions for determining intentionality. If the killer used a metal, stone, or wood object and had enmity in his heart, or if he premeditated the killing, then the penalty was execution (Num 35:16–21). On the other hand, if the killer was not “lying in wait” (intending harm), then the congregation was to help the killer travel safely to a city of refuge (Num 35:22–25). If the killer was found guilty of murder as opposed to accidental killing, he would be handed over to the authorities for execution (Num 35:31–4; compare Gen 9:6).

Equal access  - 2 in the north, 2 in the middle, 2 in the south - east and west

Must be in the city to be saved - in the church to be saved

Must stay in the city - must stay in the church

The roads to these cities were made clear

Your salvation is tied to the death of the High Priest

West side of Jordan

Bezer - a strong fortress, removing a coal from the fire

Ramoth - height or elevation

esteem the church, 

don’t let anybody talk the church down

don’t dumb down the church

Golan - circle, complete help from God

East side of Jordan

Kedesh - means holy

Shechem - shoulder... strength...

pillar and the ground of the truth

things to hold up... preach the gospel/the truth, etc.

Hebron - allegiance

joint participation, 

fellowship, contribution (one cant do it, but many can)