Joshua 20: Cities of Refuge

"Then the LORD said to Joshua, “Say to the people of Israel, ‘Appoint the cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses, that the manslayer who strikes any person without intent or unknowingly may flee there. They shall be for you a refuge from the avenger of blood." Joshua 20:1-3

Good morning, all! Let me start off with a question, as I often do: do you know what a city of refuge is, according to the Bible? Furthermore, did you even know that cities of refuge existed in the Bible? I surely didn't until I read through it this year!

The "cities of refuge" in the Bible were designated cities that existed specifically for the purpose of holding Israelites who had accidentally killed someone else (see Exodus 21:12-14, Numbers 35:6-34, and Joshua 20). It may seem like an odd concept (I don't think I've ever accidentally killed someone,* have you?), but it is a scriptural concept, so we must seek to understand it!

Although the other texts above list more requirements for these cities, in Joshua 20, we see these cities being appointed. The instructions that God had laid forth in the law concerning these cities are now being fulfilled. But how in the world does this apply to our lives? Let us observe two quick things this morning.

Firstly, God is a God of justice. When we speak of "justice" in scripture, we don't always mean "punishment for wrongdoing." Although that is certainly a part of justice, "justice" in scripture most of the time refers to love and care for the oppressed (for more information on biblical justice, watch this short video.). Here in Joshua 20, that is exactly what we see. God knew that those who had accidentally murdered may be wrongly oppressed because of the vengeance of those who might come against them for their accidental murder. However, God was not about to let innocent people perish, so he set apart cities of refuge so that those oppressed might find refuge, that is, safety from those who would be against them. Let us notice here how God is a God who intentionally sets up justice for his people since he is a just God himself.

Secondly, these cities of refuge point us to Christ. Read this quote by Keith Brooks: "Cities of refuge typify the relief which the Gospel provides for poor, penitent sinners and their protection from the curse of the law and the wrath of God, in the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom believers flee for refuge." What a great and glorious thing to see Christ in the Old Testament. Just like everything else we find in scripture, these cities of refuge point to Christ by giving us an example of what it looks like to hide in God's protection. Surely we ought to take this to heart today as well.

So, are you sick and tired of reading "boring" things in your Bible? I encourage you: dive into them deeper, and see what you might find! These cities of refuge may seem pointless, but when you read of things like this in scripture, ask yourself: "What does this teach me about the character of God?" and "How does this point to Christ?" If you do so, you will find life-giving applications, such as how the Lord is a just God (and therefore how we ought to be just children of God!) and how the Lord is the ultimate city of refuge for our souls.

*Just to clarify: I've never killed anyone on purpose either.