Cities of Refuge
Scripture: Joshua 20:1-9
Reading: Numbers 35:6-ff
1 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.
4 “When he flees to one of these cities, he is to stand in the entrance of the city gate and state his case before the elders of that city. Then they are to admit him into their city and give him a place to live with them. 5 If the avenger of blood pursues him, they must not surrender the one accused, because he killed his neighbor unintentionally and without malice aforethought. 6 He is to stay in that city until he has stood trial before the assembly and until the death of the high priest who is serving at that time. Then he may go back to his own home in the town from which he fled.”
7 So they set apart Kedesh in Galilee in the hill country of Naphtali, Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and Kiriath Arbe (that is Hebron) in the hill country of Juday. 8 on the east side of the Jordan of Jerico they designated Bezer in the desert on the plateau in the tribe of Reuben, Ramoth in Gilead in the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan in the tribe of Manasseh. 9 Any of the Israelites or any alien living among them who killed someone accidentally could flee to these designated cities and not be killed by the avenger of blood prior to standing trial before the assembly.
Joshua 20:1-9
Introduction
In our current Criminal Justice System, there are several different levels of murder:
ðFirst Degree Murder (with intent)
û The most serious. Most often, first degree murder is "deliberate" - where the defendant made a clear headed decision to kill the victim - and "premeditated" - the defendant actually thought about the killing before it occurred (the period for this can be very brief).
ðSecond Degree Murder (with intent & w/o intent)
û Intentional Drive-By - where causes the death of a human being with intent to effect the death of that person or another, but without premeditation.
û Unintentional Murder - cause of death of a person without intent to effect death of any person, while committing a felony.
ðThird Degree Murder (without intent)
û A bartender who over-served a drink to a customer who dies in a car accident. A drug dealer who sells to a customer who O/D’s and dies.
ðFirst Degree Man Slaughter
û Intentionally causes the death of another person in the heat of passion provoked by such words or acts of another.
ðSecond Degree Man Slaughter
û By the person's culpable negligence whereby the person creates an unreasonable risk, and consciously takes chances of causing death or great bodily harm to another.
û By shooting another with a firearm or other dangerous weapon as a result of negligently believing the other to be a deer or other animal.
û By setting a spring gun, pit fall, deadfall, snare, or other like dangerous weapon or device.
û By negligently or intentionally permitting any animal, known by the person to have vicious propensities or to have caused great or substantial bodily harm in the past, to run uncontrolled off the owner's premises, or negligently failing to keep it properly confined.
God’s Instructions re: Cities of Refuge
Through Moses, God instructed Israel to establish cities in the land they conquer.
ð There were 48 towns set up (Numbers 35:6-ff)
ð They were ruled by the Levites (the priestly tribe); because if not, they would be ruled by the most impartial judges.
ð Of the 48 cities, 6 were designated as the Cities of Refuge!
Who can come to these Cities of Refuge?
ðWhen a person who have committed “Murder” come to the gate:
ðThe Levite would hold a preliminary hearing outside the gates while the accused person was kept in the city until the time of his trial.
ðIf the killing was judged accidental (2nd Degree Man Slaughter), the person would be allowed to stay in the city.
ðIf the killing was not accidental (1st, 2nd, 3rd Degree Murder or 1st Degree Man Slaughter), the person would be delivered to the slain person’s avengers.
ðThis system shows God’s law and mercy go hand in hand!
Characteristics Cities of Refuge
Certain cities are designated by God as places of refuge!
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. (Joshua 20)
Anyone (unintentional killer) seeking justice is invited to flee to cities for refuge.
4 “When he flees to one of these cities, he is to stand in the entrance of the city gate and state his case before the elders of that city. Then they are to admit him into their city and give him a place to live with them. (Joshua 20)
Within the city, freedom and protection are provided in cities for refuges. If you should go outside the limits of the city of refuge, you can be killed and the killer (the avenger) is accused without being guilty of murder.
5 If the avenger of blood pursues him, they must not surrender the one accused, because he killed his neighbor unintentionally and without malice aforethought. (Joshua 20)
After the death of the high priest, freedom to return home was granted.
6 He is to stay in that city until he has stood trial before the assembly and until the death of the high priest who is serving at that time. Then he may go back to his own home in the town from which he fled.” (Joshua 20)
Cities are scattered so that no person is more than one half day's journey from refuge.
7 So they set apart Kedesh in Galilee in the hill country of Naphtali, Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and Kiriath Arbe (that is Hebron) in the hill country of Juday. 8 on the east side of the Jordan of Jerico they designated Bezer in the desert on the plateau in the tribe of Reuben, Ramoth in Gilead in the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan in the tribe of Manasseh. (Joshua 20)
Cities of refuge are also extended to strangers and foreigners.
9 Any of the Israelites or any alien living among them who killed someone accidentally could flee to these designated cities and not be killed by the avenger of blood prior to standing trial before the assembly. (Joshua 20)
Parallel to Christ
As certain cities are designated by God as places of refuge, the redemptive plan of God, through Jesus Christ is also God’s design!
As anyone (unintentional killer) seeking justice is invited to flee to cities for refuge, anyone seeking refuge from injustice and pursuit are invited to come to Christ!
As within the city, there is freedom and protection but outside the city limits, you can be killed … there is freedom and protection in Jesus, but apart from Christ is death!
As after the death of the high priest, freedom to return home was granted, through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we have eternal life and freedom!
As the cities are scattered only half day's journey, Jesus is always near!
As the cities of refuge were opened to strangers and foreigners, the Gospel of Christ is for all people!
Names of the Cities and their Meaning
Shechem: “Shoulder or Back; Strength"
Hebron: "Fellowship"
Kedesh: "Holy; Sanctuary"
Golan: "Joy; Exultation"
Ramoth: "High; Exalted"
Bezer: "Fortification; Stronghold"
Where Would You Like to Go Today?
What are our needs today?
ð Are you tired and need God’s “strength” in your life? Then you need to go to Shechem!
ð Are you lonely and need “fellowship” with the Lord? Then you need to go to Hebron!
ð Do you need a “sanctuary” and desire to be “holy” once again? Then you need to go to Kedesh!
ð Are you depressed and need God’s “exultation” and “joy?” They you need to go to Golan!
ð Are you spiritually weary and want to be lifted up by God to a “higher ground?” Then you need to go to Ramoth!
ð Are you under persecution and attack and in need of “fortification & stronghold?” Then go to Bezer!
Come to Christ Today!
ð Jesus is Alive and Active in our Lives!
ð He desires to be our Refuge!
ð He came for us two-thousand years ago and fulfilled God’s redemptive plan!
ð But, we need to go to Him by accepting Christ as our Lord and Savior!
CITIES OF REFUGE
SCRIPTURE: Joshua 20:1-9
REFUGE: Shelter or protection from danger or distress.
Parallels of Refuge: Look up the Scriptures in the right hand column and summarize each verse in the space provided. Then match each verse on the right with its parallel from Joshua 20 on the left.
1. Joshua 20:2,3 -- Certain cities are A. Romans 8:1 -- _______________________
designated as places of refuge. ___________________________________
2. Joshua 20:4 -- Unintentional killer is B. Ephesians 2:19-22 -- __________________
invited to flee to cities for refuge. ___________________________________
3. Joshua 20:5 -- Freedom and protection C. Hebrews 6:17-18 -- ___________________
are provided in cities for refuges. ___________________________________
4. Joshua 20:6 -- Freedom to return home D. Hebrews 9:11-14 -- ___________________
granted at death of high priest. ___________________________________
5. Joshua 20:7-8 -- Cities are scattered so E. Matthew 28:20 -- _____________________
that no person is more than one half day's ___________________________________
journey from refuge. Ephesians 2:13-14 -- __________________
___________________________________
6. Joshua 20:9 -- Cities of refuge are also F. Philippians 3:8-9 -- ___________________
extended to strangers and foreigners. ___________________________________
Psalm 46:1 -- ________________________
___________________________________
Cities of Refuge - Cities of Meaning
Shechem: “Shoulder or Back; Strength" - Northern Canaan, West of Jordan
Hebron: "Fellowship" - Central Canaan, West of Jordan
Kedesh: "Holy; Sanctuary" - Southern Canaan, West of Jordan
Golan: "Joy; Exultation" - Northern Canaan, East of Jordan
Ramoth: "High; Exalted" - Central Canaan, East of Jordan
Bezer: "Fortification; Stronghold" - Southern Canaan, East of Jordan
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