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CITIES OF REFUGE

In this chapter we find that God is instructing Joshua to set up cities of refuge. After the flood, God laid down a basic rule to Noah that anyone who murderously shed the blood of others should pay for their crime with their own blood. See Genesis 9:6.

If the death wasn't premeditated, or if a person killed someone by accident, the slayer could seek refuge in the sanctuary of the tabernacle, physically holding onto the altar as a place of safety and protection.

1. Justice and mercy meet (vs 1-6)

God also ordained six cities of refuge, places of compassion, where anyone who had killed another person unintentionally could flee. In Israelite society there was no police force to investigate crimes.

It was the moral responsibility of the family member who was closest to the victim to investigate and avenge the murder. He is called the avenger of blood. But this person's own emotional subjectivity, passion, and anger at the loss of their family member would cloud their judgment, and they might not want to go to the trouble to figure out whether it was an accidental killing or whether in fact it was premeditated murder. They might end up avenging the death by indiscriminately killing someone who wasn't guilty of a capital crime. That's why these cities of refuge were needed.

A city of refuge was a place of safety and a prison. See Numbers 35 & Deuteronomy 19. The elders of the city would investigate. If they were found to be guilty then the judgement would be public. If they were found to have killed accidentally they would be allowed to stay and have safety.

God has provided for us a Saviour. Jesus is where justice and mercy meet. See Hebrews 2:17. There is only one mediator. He is a place of refuge. Our devotion is to Him alone.

2. Safety for fugitives (vs 7-8)

The gates were never to be locked.
They were strategically placed.
They were well stocked.
Refuge was only guaranteed as long as they remained in the city. There were no other places of refuge in the area.
It was a place of refuge for all Israelites and Gentiles.

The person was considered innocent until proven guilty. These cities could be seen from far away as they had high towers. You were saved if you reached the city before the avenger of blood. See Psalm 18:10 - "The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous run into it, and are safe." Those who were wrongly accused could find justice. See Hebrews 4:16. God is always available and sympathetic.

3. Jesus is our Refuge

See Hebrews 6:18. We have fled to Christ for refuge. See Hebrews 3:1 & 12:2. We are to fix our eyes upon Jesus. This place of refuge is highly visible to all and is always open. There is no other place of refuge. See John 14:6. There is no other way for a sinner to come to God. It is a place of refuge for any who will come.

We don't come to Jesus to see if we are guilty. We are guilty! We find mercy and forgiveness if we release our guilt and come to Christ.

4. A refuge without limits

It is not just just for accidental murderers. God will accept all who come to Him in forgiveness. E.g. The thief on the cross. Jesus Christ is a High Priest who never dies. This place of refuge can never be entered by the avenger of blood. This city of refuge is belongs to almighty God, is eternal and the High Priest will never die.