Joshua 20
Cities of Refuge
Text: Numbers 35, Joshua 20
Review: One’s lot in life…The lot of Judah…The lot of Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh)
Those that want more and go get it. Those that want more, but want someone else to hand it to them.
Those that are slack (slackers)...have to go to higher ground from Gilgal to Shiloh (ascending)
…have to assemble…the whole congregation (assembling)
…have to worship…(adoring)…make the Tablernacle central…
v.1-2 The Word of God…spake unto you by the hand of Moses.
The Cities of the Levites
48 in all…six designated as “cities of refuge”. Num 35:6
The Cities of Refuge
Type of Christ…to a point.
Their purpose
Cities of refuge only protected the innocent…did not escape justice v.6, but saw justice was done.
Jesus is refuge for the guilty…We don’t want justice, we want mercy!
Heb 12:24 better things
Heb 7:11-28 better High Priest
Their position and prominence
1. Established by God…before needed.
2. Available to all…open to all…gates never closed.
3. Accessible to all…within a days journey
4. Clearly seen…on hilltops.
The High Priest
The High Priest is types of Christ…Heb 6:18-20 fled for refuge…Ps 46:1
Heb 6:18-20 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:19 Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.
Ps 46:1 God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.
Man set free after the death of the High Priest…Son sets you free…free indeed.
The Slayer
The sinner…Rom 3:19, 23 Rom 6:23
The accused fugitive seeking asylum.
The Avenger of Blood
Type of judgement…type of the curse and the condemnation of the Law…the wrath of God…Hell fire.
The Value put on Life
Gen 9:5 And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man.
Gen 9:6 Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.
Num 35:33-34 So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it. 34 Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit, wherein I dwell: for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel.
Proportionate relationship…the higher the belief in God…the higher the value put on life.
No belief in the real God of Heaven or some false god…no value on life.
Man looks on the outward appearance…God looks on the heart.
Heart of man deceitful and desperately wicked…without outside constraint…hate becomes murder.
The Trial and Sentence
The trial or judgment is to determine…not guilt (we are all guilty)…but intent (he has killed a man).
Man looks on the outward appearance…God on the heart. 1Sam 16:7, Jer 17:9 deceitful above…
Unintentional vs. Intentional Homicide, i.e…Premeditated Murder vs. Manslaughter
Exod 21:12-14 He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death.13 And if a man lie not in wait, but God deliver him into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee.14 But if a man come presumptuously upon his neighbour, to slay him with guile; thou shalt take him from mine altar, that he may die.
Manslaughter still a serious issue…price is high…reckless negligence will cost you…think twice. Could cost you years, perhaps the rest of your life…consequences!
Premeditated murder, witnessed by two or more witnesses Num 35:30
Deut 17:6-7 At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death.7 The hands of the witnesses shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterward the hands of all the people. So thou shalt put the evil away from among you.
Heb 10:28-28 Despise Moses’ law…died without mercy…in the mouth of two or three witnesses.
No mercy is to be shown Num 35:32…no delay in execution of the sentence Deut 17:10-11, Eccles 8:11…The reason…cleanse the land Num 35:33…the deterrent Deut 17:13
Justice and Mercy… Jesus is refuge for the guilty…We don’t want justice, we want mercy!
1Kgs 2:27-33… the horns of the altar…are of no use to those guilty of premediated murder…Joab
The altar “no use to those” who are not “men of faith”.
Outward ordinances or religion avails nothing.
Have you fled by faith to refuge in Jesus Christ…if not nothing else will save you from the avenger
The Pictures
Kedesh… “our sanctuary”
Shechem…”our strength”…shoulder, back
Hebron… “our fellowship” or friend
Bezer… “our fortress”
Ramoth… “our home” or corral
Golan… “our embrace” or rejoicing