Our Place

Introduction

Seven tribes received their allotments and the conquest was done.

Last words in Chapter 19.

“So they finished dividing the land.”

And what was the first thing that God told Joshua to do? Set up the government? Set up the economic system of banks and stores? Set up a place of worship?

No, it was to set up cities of refuge. Places where people who were accused of murder could flee to for protection and justice.

Specific things that the nation was told to provide for the people.

A Place of Refuge

(vv. 1-2, 4)

These are known places, expected places.

Numbers 35:6 ESV

“The cities that you give to the Levites shall be the six cities of refuge, where you shall permit the manslayer to flee, and in addition to them you shall give forty-two cities.

The Levites, the religious leaders of the people, were given cities spread around the Promised Land. Six of their cities were to be cities of refuge. In case you accidently killed someone, manslaughter not murder, you could go to one of these cities for protection.

There was no government, no courts, no trials. The word “judge” meant something different to them. People would take it upon themselves to right wrongs. This included murder.

But, what if it wasn’t premeditated? What if it was an accident? What would prevent a family member from taking vengeance upon someone?

God provided these cities of refuge for just this reason.

And these cities were to be known places. Their reputation had to be that they would provide protection.

Not only would they just allow them to flee there and be kept safe, but they were to be provided for:

Joshua 20:4 ESV

He shall flee to one of these cities and shall stand at the entrance of the gate of the city and explain his case to the elders of that city. Then they shall take him into the city and give him a place, and he shall remain with them.

It wasn’t just tolerance but acceptance and assimilation into their community.

Would that this would be how the church were viewed today.

The name of this room today, sanctuary, has come to indicate that. Sanctuary - “a holder of sacred things.” But for 1300 years in England, a fugitive could enter into a church building and be safe from arrest as long as they stayed there.

Do people flee to the church today?

I’m hurting, I’m confused, I’m afraid… I know I can go to the church. It is a place where I can go.

The church is to be a community of refuge.

This chapter sets a blueprint for how the church is to be known and to exist in the community. First and foremost, we are to be a place of refuge.

A Place of Justice

(vv. 3-6)

Note that our text seeks to clarify who exactly can receive sanctuary - a manslayer, not a murderer. Premeditated?

“Without intent” (v. 3) or they “did not hate him in the past” (v. 5).

This determination had to be made by the elders of the city. Those who had respect in a city would gather at the primary gate of the city, it served as the courtroom or city hall. Multiple instances throughout the Old Testament where these things occurred at the city gate (Boaz’s pursuit of Ruth).

The elders had to investigate the situation and find out about the manslayer and their relationship with the one who was killed. Asking the questions and looking at all the circumstances.

This required the leadership to have discernment and wisdom.

This is also to be the reputation of the leaders of the church. Overlap of the term “elder” because of those who had official responsibilities in the church. The title of pastor, elder, and overseer are all interchangeable in the New Testament.

This is also why we use several different methods to allow for wisdom and discernment within the church. Deacon body. Church Council. Business meetings.

The church is to have Spirit-filled leaders.

The Spirit allows for wisdom and guidance for any believer and this is desperately needed for those that God calls to lead in different ways within the church.

A Place of Righteousness

(vv. 3-6)

Righteousness = Right / Correct.

The community had to be known as those who would do what is right.

Doing what is right is often also going to mean you have to do what is unpopular.

Imagine the very real situation these elders would face - a man comes to their city gate and tells some story about accidently killing a person. As they are putting together the plan to investigate the situation an angry mob of avengers shows up with their swords and clubs. Threaten the city leaders with death if they would not turn over the accused.

It would be very easy in that moment to turn that person over to the mob so that they could protect their city and their lives.

The church is called to do what is right always.

Scripture demands that we take stands that are unpopular. The way I think about this is the way that a “Christian” in public service is viewed. At one time, it was a necessary if you were to run for a public office. Morals aligned with the majority of the nation. Now it can be detrimental to be a faithful follower of Jesus.

The weird uncle.

Our views on sexuality, gender, marriage are guided by Scripture and can be very unpopular.

Our views on the sanctity of human life is guided by Scripture and can be very unpopular.

Our views on immigration are guided by Scripture and can be very unpopular.

Yet, we are called to stand for what is Right, as defined by the Bible, regardless of its popularity or response by the world. Even when we are threatened. Stand for what is Right.

A Place of Acceptance

(vv. 7-9)

Six cities. 3 & 3. Spread out around the Promised Land.

Notice that it isn’t just for the Israelites!

“for all the people of Israel and for the stranger sojourning among them” (v. 9).

They cannot deny entry based upon any reason other than their intent in the murder of another person.

The church is to remove all prejudices.

James spells out a great number of causes of prejudice, including social or economic classes.

How does someone dress or what accent do they have?

All our concern is to how faithfully we are following Jesus.

Conclusion

When we think about Jesus and His life and His ministry.

Refuge.

Justice.

Righteousness.

Acceptance.

Qualities of Jesus that His followers are to stand for as well.

This is to be descriptive of the church. Our church.

Eastwood.

Eastwood is to be a refuge for the hurting and broken and rejected.