Finding Refuge

Day one hundred ninety

My family had a rough night, we must have eaten something bad because we were all not feeling so well this morning.  So I said a prayer that whatever was bugging us would quickly move on and that our bodies would have the energy needed to accomplish the work that needs to be done.  I really hate it when I'm not a 100%, it slows me down too much!

Joshua 20:1-9

The land of Canaan has been possessed and subdued. The various tribes have received their inheritance and things are starting to wind down as far as the conquest of the land is concerned. However, there is still much work to be done by Joshua and the people of Israel. In this chapter, we find them carrying out a command that was first given to Moses in Numbers 35:1-34. They were to appoint 6 cities that were to be known as "cities of refuge". These cities were to be made available to someone who had killed another person by accident. They could flee to any of these 6 cities and find safety and help.

I don't know a lot about these cities, but they are interesting to me and so I felt the need to do a little more research.  Here are some things I learned about the "cities of refuge".

THE PURPOSE OF THESE CITIES (v1- 3)
It is clear from these verses that these cities were to be set up to protect the person who had accidentally taken the life of another person.

A little background info:  When the Lord gave Israel His Law, He made no provision for a police force. Every crime against society was to be dealt with swiftly and in accordance with the nature of the offense. For instance, if a person stole something, they were to make restitution (Ex. 22:1-5). The punishments were always designed to fit the crime, "Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, Burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe" (Ex 21:24-25). If the crime in question happened to take the life of another human being, the nearest kinsman of the slain man had the right to avenge the death of his fallen relative(Num. 35:19-21). However, it is clear from reading passages like Numbers 35, that the Lord sees a difference between murder and manslaughter.

Therefore, when a man had accidentally taken the life of another, he could flee to one of these 6 cities of refuge and there, if it was determined that the death had indeed been an accident, he could find safety from the "avenger of blood." So, these cities were established as a refuge.

THE PROVISION OF THESE CITIES (v 1)
Mercy - Man did not come up with the idea for these cities. This was a notion that was birthed in the heart and mind of God. He wanted to teach His people that murderers had to pay for their crimes, hence, the avenger of blood. Yet, He also wanted to teach His people that there was a place of mercy for those who were only guilty of an accident. Therefore, God gave them the cities of refuge.

Grace - God could have allowed the man slayer to die like any other person who had taken a life. However, in His grace He made a way for those who had accidentally taken the life of another to find refuge and help.

A great example of the Lord providing real life experience for His people to learn and practice the qualities of mercy and grace!

THE POWER OF THESE CITIES (V 4-6, 9)
Power to Save: When the man slayer arrived in the city, his case was heard by the elders and if it was determined that the death had indeed been an accident, he was given a place within the city and was protected from the avenger of blood. The city of refuge allowed a man to live who would have otherwise surely died.

Power of Safety: Notice that as long as the person stayed within the city he was safe. He could live there until the day of judgment and for as long as the high priest lived and when the high priest died, the man slayer was free to return home without fear.

These cities appear to be a type of Christ.  He has the power to save us and in Him we find safety. 

THE POSITION OF THESE CITIES (vv 7-9)
God provided 6 cities of refuge. There were three east of the Jordan and three west of the Jordan. They were placed so that none of the tribes was too far from a city of refuge. They were available to everyone no matter where they were or who they were! Whether the man slayer was a son or a stranger, there was a city of refuge open for him.

Again, can you see the picture of Christ in these cities?  He is available to everyone if they so choose!

These cities by their very natures speak of the grace of God and of His love for the needy. They were there because God cares!  He still cares!  And the message these cities bring to us today is that in Jesus Christ we will find refuge from sin, the world, our troubles, etc.  He is there for us, we just have to choose to invite Him into our lives.  Another spiritual lesson from a less than exciting chapter, I think He is trying to tell me something!