what do the cities of refuge reveal about god

9. Jesus is the door. All the cities of refuge were Levitical cities. The cities of refuge were established as a resting place of protection for those that had accidentally taken the life of another. God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. The second bit of evidence centers around the cities of refuge. Joke: Q: How do groups of angels greet each other? The cities which you are to give shall be your six cities of refuge. C. Just as salvation was found in the cities of refuge, today salvation is found in the church of Christ today (Acts 2:47; 2 Corinthians 5:18-21; Ephesians 2:11-22). Before God’s people ever entered the Promised Land, the Lord commanded them to designate six “cities of refuge” (Num. He involves people in carrying out both justice and mercy. 4:41-43; 19:2). Best-selling author Connilyn Cossette invites you to join her on this seven-day study inspired by her latest novel, Shelter of the Most High. 4 When they flee to one of these cities, they are to stand in the entrance … 35:9-34). C. One of his roles was to expiate innocently shed blood. This is exactly what I was hoping this study would do; reveal that Christ was ever present in the Old Testament as well as the New. "The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run to it and are safe." In the spacious well-directed roads to the cities of refuge, we are reminded of the free, full, and plain declarations of the gospel of Christ. At the end God spoke to Joshua (Joshua 20) and told him to build Cities of Refuge for a guilty person to hide after a crime. Does God forgive the sin of abortion? The Lord then made this promise: There’s a picture of salvation in the first three cities of refuge. People flee to him for forgiveness and rest. It is not enough to be merely saved. God gave three such cities to the Israelites on the east side of Jordan after they conquered the peoples living there. Upon reaching a city of refuge, the fugitive stated his case to the elders at the city gate and was received hospitably. “Cities of Refuge”: Moses had spoken God’s Word to name 6 cities in Israel as refuge centers. Preview the text and then order some for your church. All of them are located on the eastern side of the Jordan River. Well, you’ve probably heard me say this before, but the fourth letter of the Hebrew alphabet is dalet, or door. Because of what He's done for them, God's people create places of refuge for others -- in their homes and churches, in pro-life ministries. David said, “Pour out your hearts to him”; that’s what David did all the time. 19:10 says: "That no innocent blood may be spilled in the midst of your land that Jehovah your God is giving you as an inheritance, and no bloodguilt has to be upon you." Well, that also meant unintentional sin. Cities of refuge, which you can read about in Numbers 35 and Joshua 22, were authorized under the Mosaic code to serve as a part of Israel's justice system. Although the Cities of Refuge are first discussed in some detail in the Book of Numbers (in parashat Masei), Shoftim, in Deuteronomy, provides a more condensed description. Connilyn Cossette, Christy Award finalist and CBA bestselling author, delves into the often-overlooked Cities of Refuge mentioned in both Numbers 35 and Joshua 20. These Cities Of Refuge Were Within Reach And Accessible To All A. Through the shedding of His blood, Jesus offers us protection from eternal death and separation from God if we confess our sins and take refuge in Him ( Hebrews 6:18 ). The gospel is to be preached to all men (Mark 16:15). The more I studied that portion of Scripture, the more it became clear to me that Christ is my City of Refuge! Sanctuary cities, in contrast, are illegal and outside the justice system altogether. “God had said to Moses in the wilderness, establish 6 cities of refuge. What do the Old Testament cities of refuge reveal about God? Bible verses about Cities Of Refuge. If the elders decided that the man murdered his neighbor with intent to do so, they were required to hand him over to the avenger of blood, who would kill him. Cities of refuge were provided so that the land would not be polluted with innocent blood and bloodguilt would not come upon the people. The fourth point is of great interest to Christians everywhere. However, when the death was accidental, a reprieve was possible. For openers, cities of refuge were legal, sanctuary cities are not. The Cities of Refuge, our security in Christ. The priestly tribe of Levi, however, did not receive territory as God was their inheritance (see Numbers 18:20, Deuteronomy 18:1 - 2). Look at that! Through the lens of the Levitical Cities of Refuge and the priests who attended them, we will examine the refining process for those who live in Covenant with Yeshua (Jesus) and be challenged to embrace both the joys and discomforts of … All across the body of Christ people are hearing the Lord’s call to prepare Places of Refuge in preparation for the coming days. Deut. The vision is described in several ways: cities of refuge, places or refuge or refuge places, but the one ingredient they have in common is a vision of caring for hurting people in times of crisis. Throughout Scripture, God is called a refuge. Psalm 91:2. Determine the distances involved and divide into three parts the land the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance, so that a person who kills someone may flee for refuge to one of these cities. Just as all the people in the "cities of refuge" in our text had things in common, so do we today here in the church. Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change And though the mountains slip into the heart of the sea; Though its waters roar and foam, Though the mountains quake at its swelling pride. What do these rules on killing, and specifically the last texts we read, teach us about our God? God wants every human death to be examined and mourned. So it seems in the ancient concept that three cities of refuge were to be set up in the land. The Purpose of the Cities of Refuge. The activities of the cities of refuge therefore came under his responsibility. These cities had a specific purpose: While the condition of the roads in ancient Palestine was generally deplorable, the roads leading to the cities of refuge were to be kept in pristine condition at all times. After entering the land, God reiterated this command to Joshua (Josh. A CONVENIENT, EASY TO REACH PLACE TO REST. Of these cities the priests received thirteen , and six were cities of refuge, to which men who had accidentally killed someone could go for protection (Num 35:9-34; Deut 4:41-43). II. Six of these locations were designated as cities of refuge. We see this in the one rule of law for all and the fair trial through the cities of refuge system.) This seven-day study will examine the history and purpose of these Levitical cities in order to discover how these cities are a portrayal of not only the perfect balance between Yahweh’s justice and mercy, but of our … In the signification of the names of the cities we also perceive the glorious excellency of Christ. God & the pregnant teen Two messages must be expressed in tandem and with equal force, and a third must follow close behind. Six such cities, spread throughout the Promised Land, were appointed by Moses and later by Joshua, under Jehovah’s direction. You shall give three cities across the Jordan and three cities in the land of Canaan; they are to be cities of refuge. God instructed His people to prepare a way to the cities of refuge (Deuteronomy 19:3). Even more importantly, the high priest, as spiritual leader, represented purity and freedom from sin. Levite cities where an unintentional manslayer could seek asylum from the avenger of blood. They were given, instead, forty-eight cities throughout Canaan in which they could live and maintain the knowledge of God. Joshua 20 New International Version (NIV) Cities of Refuge. Part of God’s plan was to establish six cities of refuge for the nation of Israel (Numbers 35:13). Selah. There are approximately 45 references to God as refuge in the book of Psalms alone. 20). A: Halo, halo, halo. The Cities of Refuge can be viewed as a foreshadow of God’s plan for our salvation through Jesus Christ. 2. A person who inadvertently killed another could flee to the nearest of these for protection (compare Num. The Levitical cities were made up by taking four cities from each of the twelve tribes. There are three more cities of refuge to look at. If anyone kills another unintentionally he can run to one of these cities for protection from the relatives of the one who was killed, who may try to avenge the killing. THE HEBREW CITIES OF REFUGE Murder brought the death sentence upon the guilty. That is exactly the kind of refuge that God is to those who trust in Him and His Son, Jesus Christ. B. Jimbomkamp mentions on his site that Arthur Pink wrote about how if the definition of each of the names of the 6 cities of refuge are put together that they reveal the work of Jesus Christ in providing refuge to us, His people.. Schechem means “shoulder” which is the place of strength (Isaiah 9:7) and of safety (Luke 15:5)—under the government of Christ the believer … 8. A good refuge provides protection for the vulnerable and peace for the distressed. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge” (Psalm 62:7–8). These cities of refuge that Moses and Joshua appointed reveal something about our place of refuge in Christ. The names of the cities of Refuge Upon reaching one of the cities of refuge, the slayer stood at the gates and presented his case to the elders of the city (Joshua 20:4). You Have To Flee (Go To) The Place Of Refuge. 35:6-34; Deut. Cities of Refuge. 1. God is a refuge to His children in that He protects them. And to these, I would like to add the concept of Sanctuary. "The Rabbins deliver this; Moses separated three cities of refuge beyond Jordan, [Deut 4:41-43;] and, against them, Joshua separated three cities in the land of Canaan, [Josh 20:7,8]. God is no respecter of persons (Acts 10:34-35). It sometimes happened, in the land of Canaan, as in our own country, that a Hebrew, without any evil purpose, would cause the death of a brother Hebrew. The ancient cities of refuge also set forth the fulness of Christ’s salvation for the sinner. One of these cities was called "Kadesh," which signifies "Holy." What do cities of refuge reveal about God? Jesus is the Holy One of God. Deuteronomy 19:1-21 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful “When the Lord your God cuts off the nations whose land the Lord your God is giving you, and you dispossess them and dwell in their cities and in their houses, you shall set apart three cities for yourselves in the land that the Lord your God is giving you to possess. 4. Three lay west of the Jordan and 3 lay to the east, each reachable in a day for those in its area. (He is a God of justice who protects life. As I passed those Alpine "refuges," I could not help being reminded of the wonderful Cities of Refuge which God graciously provided of old in Palestine, for the unfortunate manslayer. WE WERE ALL SINNERS! 20 Then the Lord said to Joshua: 2 “Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses, 3 so that anyone who kills a person accidentally and unintentionally may flee there and find protection from the avenger of blood. In addition, I hope to reveal how little has changed in the time since this Torah portion was written. An easy way to make God our refuge is to simply ask Him to be. The cities shall be to you as a refuge from the avenger, so that the manslayer will not die until he stands before the congregation for trial. “My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. From sin Him to be set up in the signification of the Jordan and cities! 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