Cities of Refuge

 

Joshua 20:1-6

 

Cities of Refuge

Then the Lord said to Joshua:  “Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses,  so that anyone who kills a person accidentally and unintentionally may flee there and find protection from the avenger of blood.   When they flee to one of these cities, they are to stand in the entrance of the city gate and state their case before the elders of that city. Then the elders are to admit the fugitive into their city and provide a place to live among them.   If the avenger of blood comes in pursuit, the elders must not surrender the fugitive, because the fugitive killed their neighbor unintentionally and without malice aforethought.  They are to stay in that city until they have stood trial before the assembly and until the death of the high priest who is serving at that time. Then they may go back to their own home in the town from which they fled.”

 

God had told Moses to establish 6 cities of refuge, three on the east side of the Jordan, and three on the west.  Now it is important to understand this; if it was accidentally and unintentionally killing they could go to the city of refuge and at the city gates before entering they state their case before the elders of the city.  If they found the evidence presented to sound right they were allowed to take refuge there.  But they would have a trial later and it seems the family of the one killed could come and give their account of what happened, but they could not bring harm to him.

If the assembly find the man who committed manslaughter not guilty of murder because they did not plan on harming his neighbor, it was an accident, then he must stay in that city till the death of the high priest dies,

 

The avenger was to accept the high priest as a substitute for the guilt incurred by the shedding of innocent blood.  The killer was free to return home.

 

When Jesus took your sins and mine to the cross, He was our substitute but we were guilty and deserved eternal punishment, but it was on our confession of faith in Jesus that brought about redemption.  One of the saddest things in this world is anyone that puts their faith in what they can do to earn that eternal life.  Jesus tells us I am the way (the only way) to the Father.  Many will believe that baptism, church membership, or just being good to others will earn them a place in heaven, but it will earn you eternal punishment because without faith in Jesus it is impossible to please the Father.

 

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice