In Need of Refuge

Intro:

Joshua 20:1–3 NKJV

1 The Lord also spoke to Joshua, saying, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘Appoint for yourselves cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses, 3 that the slayer who kills a person accidentally or unintentionally may flee there; and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.

Today, the title of my message is, [Our Place of Refuge].

Refuge is defined, shelter or protection from danger or hardship

Bekah and I love to travel. If we watch a movie or TV show that is set in a place we’ve never been or have not visited in a while, I will say, “Do you want to go right now?” There is something exciting for us both to go to a new place.

But that has not always been the case for me. As a child and really into my early twenties, I would get very anxious if we were out at night in a new place.

There is probably a legitimate reason for my apprehension. I remember going on a family vacation to San Antonio when I graduated High School.

Everything was great, until it started to get dark. My dad shared my feelings and instructed us to GET BACK TO THE HOTEL NOW! We have a picture in front of the Alamo, there is pure joy on my face and deep frustration in my siblings.

When I started to evangelize, I went to many new places, and it seemed I often wanted a place of refuge. I remember my first trip to California to preach.

I was so excited, I mentioned to a lady at a church where I preached, next week I am going to California. She remarked, oh, I am from there.

I asked for some tips on traveling there. Her answer— don’t go, they will kill you.

And sure enough, when the pastor picked me up, at an intersection there was a man swinging a knife. The restaurants had cops in them. I was on edge the whole trip.

I wanted to get to a place where I had refuge from the potential danger.

In our text, we read about a place where people could go. These cities provided shelter and protection, they were called Cities of Refuge.

Joshua is such a wonderful book of the Bible. It is both captivating and enlightening to see what happens to God’s people when they choose to remain faithful.

To give a quick overview of this prolific book, we have to remember where God’s people were at chapter one. They had been in the wilderness of forty years in attempt to go to the Promised Land.

However, because of the lack of faith in God’s people, an entire generation had to pass before God’s people were permitted to enter the Promised Land.

Now, we are reading of a generation of people who were ready to walk in God’s promise and provision. They were going to

live in homes they didn’t have to build

eat from gardens they didn’t have to plant

inhabit a land they didn’t have to purchase

While this was an exciting prospect, it was not without their share of battles. They had to enter the Promised Land with a determination to fight for what God had promised them.

After a time of war, they finally rested from war and two of the most exciting stories from Joshua 13-19 are where Caleb and Joshua receive their inheritance. They were the two voices in Numbers 13 that spoke against the rebellious Israelites who feared the Canaanites.

It was Joshua and Caleb who had confidence in the Lord’s plan, therefore, when all of their generation died before reaching the Promised Land, Joshua and Caleb entered into the blessings of the Lord.

At this point Joshua is close to 90. He saw the faithfulness of the Lord and he finally dwelt in the land promised to him! (Isn’t it wonderful that when we are faithful to the Lord, He will be faithful to us?)

(Who wants to be a part of the generation of the body of Christ who is willing and ready to walk in God’s plan for our lives?)

From here we get to chapter 20 which could be a chapter easily passed over, but I want us to notice the detail and the importance of these cities of refuge.

Refuge is defined as shelter or protection from danger or trouble.

The purpose of the cities of refuge were defined in Numbers 35:9-34. Moses took extensive time to tell the next generation of Israelites where to place the cities of refuge.

It is interesting who owned the cities. All the sons of Israel received a large territory, except for the Levites; they were given 48 cities. The Levites were descendants of Aaron’s brother; they were the priests.

They were responsible for the spiritual welfare of the Israelites.

Each city of refuge was placed in Levite property. So we see these cities of refuge were more than asylums or as they are called today sanctuary cities.

{Across our countries and around the world, there are sanctuary cities; cities that will harbor and protect guilty criminals.} However, these cities of refuge were for those who had NOT YET been proven guilty.

Let’s look at these cities of refuge and see how they tell of a day when God will be our refuge. I have three points: [The Cities Were Safe], [The Cities Were Secure] and [The Cities Were Situated].

1. The Cities Were Safe

Joshua 20:1–3 NKJV

1 The Lord also spoke to Joshua, saying, 2 “Speak to the children of Israel, saying: ‘Appoint for yourselves cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses, 3 that the slayer who kills a person accidentally or unintentionally may flee there; and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.

(What was the purpose of a city of refuge?)

We remember Refuge is defined as shelter or protection from danger or trouble.

Therefore, these cities were established to protect those who were in trouble, not just any trouble, but those who had committed a specific crime.

The crime they were protected from was manslaughter. Manslaughter is the unintentional murder of someone.

In those days, if this were to happen, it was the responsibility of the relative of the person who had been killed to avenge their relative’s death.

Numbers 35:19–20 NKJV

19 The avenger of blood himself shall put the murderer to death; when he meets him, he shall put him to death. 20 If he pushes him out of hatred or, while lying in wait, hurls something at him so that he dies,

(Why would they need a safe place for someone who committed manslaughter?)

If their crime was not premeditated, the individual could find a safe place in this city of refuge. Numbers 35:22-25 was very specific about this.

Therefore, if they were to avenge their loved one’s death and the person who committed the crime did it unintentionally then the innocent blood of two people would be spilled blood on the land.

In their primitive society, there was no distinction between intentional and unintentional murder, they simply wanted vengeance for their relative.

We can see that God helped them to understand and see the distinctions between to two.

Furthermore, the land of the Levites belonged to the Lord because of their vocation. [So in essence God was protecting those who had committed a crime unintentionally.]

If they could get to a city of refuge, they had time for someone to review their case and determine their guilt.

The cities of refuge were safe …

2. The Cities Were Secure

Joshua 20:4–6 NKJV

4 And when he flees to one of those cities, and stands at the entrance of the gate of the city, and declares his case in 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 may dwell among them. 5 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. 6 And he shall dwell in that 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 city and his own house, to the city from which he fled.’ ”

Not only were they safe for the accused, they were also secure, meaning, the one who followed them to avenge the death of their loved one could not get them.

When they arrived to the gates of one of the six cities of refuge, they were safe. They had to explain what happened and then they would take them and provide them a place to stay until the case had been examined and investigated.

Even though they were secure, it is interesting that their doors were always open. Anyone could come day or night to a city of refuge and find safety and security.

They were easily accessible and they were widely advertised.

(Why were they always opened, easily and acceptable and widely advertised,) because they were instituted by God long before they were needed.

God instructed both generations of Israelites to have the cities. To those [traveling in the wilderness and in Numbers 35] and to the [Joshua Generation in Deuteronomy 19].

That is something I love about the Lord. He did not wait until after someone was accused of manslaughter to solve a problem. He is always proactive. Nothing catches Him by surprise!

In His love for His people, He wanted to make sure they were safe and their lives were protected.

Therefore, He instructed His people to make places were protection would be provided for the wrongly accused and the innocent.

Once someone entered one of these six cities, not only were they safe, they were also secure knowing they would be granted a fair trial and review of their situation.

The cities of refuge were a [safe place], [a secure place] and…

3. The Cities Were Situated

Joshua 20:7–9 NKJV

7 So they appointed Kedesh in Galilee, in the mountains of Naphtali, Shechem in the mountains of Ephraim, and Kirjath Arba (which is Hebron) in the mountains of Judah. 8 And on the other side of the Jordan, by Jericho eastward, they assigned Bezer in the wilderness on the plain, from the tribe of Reuben, Ramoth in Gilead, from the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan, from the tribe of Manasseh. 9 These 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 there, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood until he stood before the congregation.

God instructed Joshua where to specifically place each of these cities. First we notice they were either on a mountain or on a plain, meaning they were situated in such a way that people could easily seen.

It is not as though they were in a spot were people would have to search and walk for miles find.

They were on the mountains high enough that if the accused was running for their life, could look up and see the city of safety and security situated ahead of them.

Or they were on a plain, where it could be identified for miles.

Some historic sources say that the Israelites went to great lengths to make these cities accessible.

Every spring people would take time to repair the roads that went to the city. They would build bridges over rivers that could block their path. And they moved any rocks or stones that would stand in the way.

They wanted to make sure the accused individual had the easiest route possible for their safety and security.

Furthermore, I read that each city was strategically situated in such a way that one could get there in one day’s journey.

We see that these were not thrown together without thoughtful planning, God had them situated in such a place that they were easily recognized and easily acceptable.

Close:

The Cities of Refuge were [Safe,] [Secure ] and [Situated.]

As I was reading this and studying this, I realize it could seem somewhat peculiar that there are three chapters in the Old Testament dedicated to provided a safe haven for someone who took the life of another.

BUt a few weeks ago, the Lord prompted me in my office to speak about these cities of refuge. We see what they meant back them, but what do they mean to us?

Hebrews 6:17–20 NKJV

17 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, 18 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. 19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

The writer of Hebrews is speaking of the promise God made to Abraham that: I will bless you and multiply you.And if God made this oath, and He is not a man that can lie, we can have assurance in His promises!

Hebrews 6:18 NLT

18 So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.

(Who are the people who have fled to Christ for refuge?) We are the people who have fled to Him for REFUGE! Shelter or protection from danger or trouble

(How does this connect with the cities of refuge of Joshua 20?)

The cities of refuge protected those who had shed innocent blood unintentionally.

If we think back over each of our lives, (whose innocent blood did we shed?)

The answer is Jesus. It was because of our sin and our shame that Jesus had to die on the cross for the sins He never committed.

Just as God took care to make sure that accused of the Old Testament had a place of safety and security, God has situated for us a place of safety and security!

The enemy has accused us night and day before God. But God in His great love and mercy has established and city of refuge, our own place of refuge.

The accused can run quickly to a city of refuge and be safe. In the same sense Jesus is always ready and willing for accept us, even in our sin.

He is the place of safety! [When we are with Him we are safe from the accusations of the enemy.]

He is the city of security! [When we are with Him, we are safe from the attacks of the enemy until the day we are judged.] NOT GUILTY

And His city of refuge is situated where He is available day and night! [All we have to do is call His name!]

It is interesting to read the names of the cities of refuge in Joshua. I do not always see significance in Bible names, but there are some here.

Kedesh signifies holy and we know that our refuge, {Jesus is Holy}

Shechem meant shoulder, and {we realize that government shall be upon His shoulders.}

Hebron meant fellowship, (who is thankful that we are in fellowship with Jesus!?)

Bezer was a fortification, {I am thankful that I am safe and secure in the fortification of the kingdom of God.}

Ramoth, meant high or exalted, {we are told that God has highly exalted Him and given Him a name which is above every name!}

Golan meant joy and exultation, {for every person who is safe in the refuge of Jesus, it is Joy unspeakable and full of Glory!}

[We have a refuge from this dark and dreary world!]

And I believe that there are people all up and down Highway 49, who need a safe place. They need the security of knowing Jesus. And we are situated in the right place for them to find the help they need!

Yes we were born into sin, yes we are often tempted and tested, but the simple fact is this,

There is a city of refuge for the sinner can be saved.

There is a city of refuge for the tempted can be relieved.

There is a city of refuge for the believer can receive power.

There is a city of refuge for the sick can be healed.

There is a city of refuge for the lost can be found.

There is a city of refuge for the discouraged can be encouraged.

There is a city of refuge for the hopeless can find hope.

There is a city of refuge for the Christian can be renewed, refreshed and revived!

Psalm 46 NKJV

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the Sons of Korah. A Song For Alamoth. 1 God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. 2 Therefore we will not fear, Even though the earth be removed, And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; 3 Though its waters roar and be troubled, Though the mountains shake with its swelling. Selah 4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High. 5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn. 6 The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved; He uttered His voice, the earth melted. 7 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah 8 Come, behold the works of the Lord, Who has made desolations in the earth. 9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth; He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two; He burns the chariot in the fire. 10 Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! 11 The Lord of hosts is with us; The God of Jacob is our refuge. Selah

Let’s enter that place of refuge today, [in the presence of the Holy Spirit and realize God is protecting us and fighting for us!]

Jesus is our place of Refuge, He is situated so close where we can always be safe and secure!

(Who wants to enter this place of refuge in the presence of the Holy Spirit?)

God is HERE! Are we ready to enter into our PLACE OF REFUGE

Psalm 91 NKJV

1 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. 2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” 3 Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler And from the perilous pestilence. 4 He shall cover you with His feathers, And under His wings you shall take refuge; His truth shall be your shield and buckler. 5 You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, Nor of the arrow that flies by day, 6 Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, Nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday. 7 A thousand may fall at your side, And ten thousand at your right hand; But it shall not come near you. 8 Only with your eyes shall you look, And see the reward of the wicked. 9 Because you have made the Lord, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, 10 No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; 11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. 12 In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone. 13 You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, The young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot. 14 “Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. 15 He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. 16 With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.”