Joshua 20:1-2 – 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�'"
Welcome back, dear readers!
The official distribution of the Promised Land began back in Joshua chapter 15 with the first lot drawn for the tribe of Judah. The distribution continued through the end of chapter 19, with the tribe of Dan drawing the final lot.
Once the inheritance was divided, God commanded the children of Israel to give Joshua a special gift – he was permitted to choose one city within the Promised Land as his own personal inheritance. This was probably a promise/blessing that he received for being faithful to the word of the Lord during Israel's first opportunity to enter the Promised Land. He chose the city of Timnath-serah in the tribe of Ephraim north of Mount Gaash.
At this point the official distribution of the land is almost complete. The only remaining business is to assign cities to the Levites (chapter 21) and to establish the cities of refuge.
God's command to institute the cities of refuge can be found in Deuteronomy 19 and Numbers 35. You might want to take a few minutes and read those portions of scripture.
Joshua 20:3 – "'� 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.'"
What was a city of refuge?
In order to fully understand the concept of a city of refuge, we must first acknowledge that every nation, including ancient Israel, experiences a certain amount of crime. Sadly, as a result of our sinful nature, theft/larceny, rape and murder occur anytime people live in close proximity to each other.
Secondly, we must understand that God places a very high value on each and every human life.� Each person was created by him, in his image (Genesis 1:26) and he assigns a life-span to each individual he creates (Psalms 139:16).�
The life we live here on earth is the time in which we secure the salvation of our immortal souls and prepare ourselves for the eternal world. Therefore, it is infinitely important that each of us has the full amount of time God has assigned to us in order to work out our salvation, grow in grace, and complete all the good works God has prepared for us to do (Ephesians 2:10).
If we murder someone, we are cutting short his/her time on earth. Taking a man's life away before his time could result in the murder of his soul as well as his body. For this reason, God forbids us to commit murder:
Exodus 20:13 - You shall not kill.
But as we know, people can die by accident as well as by murder. This brings us to the purpose of the cities of refuge - to protect the person who was responsible for the accidental death of another.
Just to be clear, I want to emphasize that in the scripture, God makes a definite distinction between murder and accidental death.
Murder is defined as killing with premeditated malice; to willfully, deliberately or unlawfully destroy or put an end to someone's life; to intentionally kill.
God defines/describes murder this way:
Numbers 35:20-21 – And if he pushed him, out of hatred or hurled something at him lying in wait, so that he died, or in enmity struck him down with his hand, so that he died, the he who struck the blow shall be put to death.� He is a murderer.� ��
Notice that God's example of murder contains the classic elements of premeditation, hatred and intentionality.
God further mandates that anyone convicted of murder (this would require two or more witnesses), receives the death penalty (Exodus 21:12-14, Numbers 35:30-31).
God also gives us this example of an accidental death:
Deuteronomy 19:4-5 - � If anyone kills his neighbor unintentionally without having hated him in the past – as when someone goes into the forest with his neighbor to cut wood, and his hand swings the axe to cut down a tree and the head slips from the handle and strikes his neighbor so that he dies – he may flee to one of these cities and live�
In other words, an accident occurs when a person is unintentionally killed by another and there is no contention or hatred between the two.
A person who causes the death of another can flee to a city of refuge to receive what we would call a 'fair trial'. Based on the outcome of the trial, he will receive a proper sentence.
Joshua 20:4 – "He shall flee to one of these cities and shall stand at the entrance of the gate of the city and explain his case to the elders of that city. Then they shall take him into the city and give him a place, and he shall remain with them."
Back in the day, it was common for the elders and judges of the city to sit (hang out) just inside the city gates where they were accessible to the common people. There they would conduct business, strike bargains, share news, read/discuss the law, and administer justice (Deuteronomy 16:18, Ruth 4:1, Proverbs 22:22).
Let's suppose that two men – Herman and Maynard – were working together building a house and Maynard winds up dead.� At that point, Herman had to immediately flee to one of the cities of refuge.�
Once there, he was to enter the gates, find the elders and explain what happened in the death of Maynard.� He was to tell them the whole matter – the circumstances that led to Maynard's death, the errors or innocent mistakes that were made and exactly how Maynard's death resulted from the accident. �
After hearing his story, the elders of that city were to ask questions and examine the matter more fully. If they determined that Maynard's death could have been an accident, they would give Herman a place to stay and likely some form of employment. Herman was to remain in the city of refuge until his accuser (the avenger of blood) came to town and an official trial could be conducted to determine his guilt or innocence.
Joshua 20:5 – "And if the avenger of blood pursues him, they shall not give up the manslayer into his hand, because he struck his neighbor unknowingly, and did not hate him in the past."
Who is the avenger of blood, and what role does he play in this situation?
All the members of an extended family are counted as being of one blood; a wrong done to one is a wrong done to all. In the case of murder, the wrong could only be redressed by the nearest relative of the victim, who was consequently referred to as the avenger of blood.
In our example, we will assume that the dead man (Maynard) had a brother named Quincy. As the closest male relative to Maynard, Quincy was considered the avenger of blood.
The avenger of blood had the responsibility/obligation of executing the murderer of his kin:
Numbers 35:19 – The avenger of blood shall himself put the murderer to death; when he meets him, he shall put him to death.
He was the only person who had the right to carry out the mandated death sentence. This rule allowed justice to be served, while at the same time preventing entire families from completely destroying one another in senseless acts of retribution (similar to the mob families).
Joshua 20:6 – "And he shall remain in that city until he has stood before the congregation for judgment, until the death of him who is high priest at the time. Then the manslayer may return to his own town and his own home, to the town from which he fled."
Now let's pull all of these facts together:
Herman and Maynard are working together building a house when Maynard winds up dead. Herman immediately runs home, talks to his wife, throws together a suitcase, kisses his kids goodbye, and rushes off to the nearest city of refuge.
Once at the gates of the city, he approaches the elders and explains that Maynard's death was an accident – as they were laying brick for the walls, Herman accidentally knocked a brick off the wall and it fell, hitting Maynard on the head.
The elders of the city would then give Herman a place to stay within the city and provide him with some kind of temporary employment.�
In the meantime, Maynard's closest male relative (Quincy) finds out that Maynard is dead.� After the funeral, he too travels to the city of refuge and finds the elders of the city.� At that point, an official trial is held (Numbers 35:12) in front of an assembly of adult citizens (commentators estimate the assembly to be around 200-300 men).�
It would be almost impossible for all of these citizens to be bribed or unfairly biased against the defendant.� Thus, a calm impartial trial by a fair 'jury of his peers' was provided for Herman. �
Quincy can now give any evidence pertinent to the case, such as the relationship between the two men and whether or not grudges, hatred or contention existed between the two.
Based on the evidence, the elders would either convict or absolve Herman.
If Herman was found guilty of murder, he would be immediately handed over to Quincy, who had the responsibility of executing him. At that point, the case was closed.
If he was found innocent of murder, Herman was then sentenced to remain within the city of refuge until the death of the current high priest. Once the high priest died, he could then return to his hometown (Numbers 35:28).
Jewish tradition says that if Herman died before the high priest in the city of his refuge/exile, he was to be buried there and only after the death of the high priest could his bones be removed and placed into his family sepulcher.
In the meantime, no one was assigned to monitor Herman. If he chose to leave the safety of the city of refuge, he could do so - no one would prevent him from going. But if the avenger of blood spotted him outside the safety zone, he could kill him on the spot without penalty (Numbers 35:26-28).
To leave the city of refuge was to take your life into your own hands. �It is hard to imagine anything that would be important enough for a man like Herman to leave the safety of the city of refuge, but apparently, it must have happened on occasion!
We can't help but notice the wisdom of God in this arrangement.� Each accused person received a fair trial, under the purview of the people who knew the law best (the Levites).� The trial cost nothing and occurred with little or no delay.� This system provided for justice while at the same time restraining revenge and preventing blood feuds.� At the conclusion of the matter, no one had a right to complain about the outcome, so there were no appeals. �Remarkable! �
Joshua 20:7-8 – So they set apart Kedesh in Galilee in the hill country of Naphtali, and Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the hill country of Judah. And beyond the Jordan east of Jericho, they appointed Beer in the wilderness on the tableland, from the tribe of Reuben, and Ramah in Gilead, from the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan, from the tribe of Manasseh.
There were a total of six cities of refuge, three east of the Jordan River and three west of the river. These cities were strategically placed.
On either side of the river, there was one city of refuge in the northern portion of the land, one city in the middle and one city in the southern region. This allowed easy (and somewhat close) access to all of the population of Israel (Deuteronomy 19:3).
Joshua 20:9 – These were the cities designated for all the people of Israel and for the stranger sojourning among them, that anyone who killed a person without intent could flee there, so that he might not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, till he stood before the congregation.
Every city of refuge was a Levitical city. That may not seem significant on the surface, so let's take a closer look.
Put yourself in the position of someone who accidentally caused the death of your neighbor, friend or child.� You are already in a state of shock, fear and remorse.� In the midst of that, you must abruptly leave your family and hope that you get to a refuge city before the avenger of blood finds you.� You are experiencing your worst nightmare, desperately hoping you will find mercy for your situation.� ��
If that were you, wouldn't it be comforting to know that the elders you met at the city gates were priests – men who were sanctified to be mediators between God and man? Wouldn't you be glad that these men were very familiar with the law, and that they were there to impartially consider your case and protect you from death?
Furthermore, being a refugee in one of the six cities meant that you could no longer travel to the temple in Shiloh. In that case, wouldn't it be a comfort to be among the priesthood of the nation, who could pray for you at the temple and give you instruction from the scriptures?
The fact that the cities of refuge were also the cities of the Levites is one more example of the mercy of God to his people.
Let's ask ourselves one more question – why did the manslayer have to reside in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest?
Because the high priest is a picture of the mercy we find in Jesus Christ!
Hebrews 2:17 - Therefore in all things it behoved him [Jesus] to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.
Obviously, the parallel isn't perfect; we know there is no person who is innocent of sin.� All of us are guilty and we deserve to be turned over to the avenger (the righteous wrath of God) and experience eternal death.�
Nevertheless, many aspects of the cities of refuge have a counterpart in the gospel message: ��
- For example, a man guilty of premeditated murder represents a sinner who is bound by guilt and shame, living under the wrath of God and facing a sentence of death.� In such a case, it was impossible for the murderer to purchase a pardon with money (Numbers 35:31-32).� Likewise, no person could ever purchase his own pardon from sin with money (or anything else, for that matter).
- The person guilty of sin has only one path open to him that leads to mercy – he must flee to the refuge of Jesus Christ.� Jesus is the way, the truth and the life.� No man comes to the Father except by him (John 14:6).
- When a man fled to the city of refuge, he had to observe a definite set of rules in order to remain in the refuge.� Those saved by grace must also observe a set of rules in order to remain under the mercy of Christ.� We must surrender all, turn our back on evil, and wholly follow our Savior.
- The cities of refuge were not limited to the native Israelites.� The 'stranger' and the 'sojourner' who lived among them would also be accepted if he sought safety in the city of refuge (Numbers 35:15, Joshua 20:9).� This is another Old Testament picture of the Gentiles being welcomed into the kingdom of God.
- The man who was granted the right to live in the city of refuge was restricted; he could no longer dwell in his old house, sow his old fields or continue on with his old ways.� This is a picture of the separation of the Christian from the things of this world.� We must forsake our old ways once we have found freedom in Christ.
- There was a very real danger to the person who delayed in going to a city of refuge – they could be killed by the avenger of blood at any time.� There is also a very real danger to the sinner who plays around with the grace of God and refuses to submit to the call of Holy Spirit to repentance. None of us know when our last moment on earth will be.� The person who delays in accepting salvation risks being lost for eternity.
- At the death of the high priest, the manslayer was set free.� After the death of Jesus, our High Priest, we were set free from spiritual death.
We know that those who were found guilty of murder were sentenced to death and in truth, this was the sentence we all received, because the wages of sin is death. Yet, God in his great mercy, pardons us because Christ has paid the price of our redemption. Though our sin is as red as scarlet, the blood of Christ washes it what as snow:
Isaiah 1:18 - Come now, and let us reason together, says the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
Even the names of the six cities of refuge reflect the grace of the gospel:
Kedesh means 'holy'.� Our refuge is the Lord Jesus, who is holy (I Peter 1:16).
Shechem means 'a shoulder'.� The government (and judgment) of mankind rests upon the shoulders of Christ (Isaiah 9:6-7).
Hebron means 'fellowship'.� All believers (Jew and Gentile) are admitted into the kingdom/fellowship of Jesus our Lord and King.
Bezer means 'fortification'.� Jesus is our strong tower and fortification; he is a very present help in the day of trouble (Psalms 46:1-3).
Ramoth means 'high' or 'exalted'.� God has exalted Jesus above every other being; at the name of Jesus every knee will bow and every tongue will confess that he is Lord (Philipians2:9-11).
Golan means 'joy/exultation' – Jesus is our eternal joy and exultation for through him we are justified.
These are just some of the comparisons between the cities of refuge and Jesus Christ as our savior.� What other similarities can you find?
There are also some distinct differences between the city of refuge and the gospel as well:
- The cities of refuge afforded a temporary protection for the physical body of a man.� The gospel, however, is protection for both the physical and spiritual man and it lasts forever.
- The cities of refuge provided protection only to the innocent while the gospel is a refuge for the guilty (THANK THE LORD!).
- The protection of a city of refuge involved the sacrificing of certain privileges, but the gift of the gospel ensures/provides every privilege and every good thing to the believer in Christ.
- Those who received the blessing/protection of the city of refuge would still have a desire to return to their old ways and old life.� Not so with the redeemed!� We will never desire to return to the bondage of sin!
Aren't you thankful for the refuge of Christ?
Let me offer you some encouragement:
In our study of the cities of refuge, we noted that God provided a place of safety for anyone who needed it. But it was up to each individual to travel to the city of refuge with all due haste! Any delay could potentially result in death by the avenger of blood.
So it is with us in the spiritual realm.
Have you accepted Christ as your Savior and given your heart to him? If not, I strongly urge you to do so immediately, because you don't know when your life will end. To die outside the refuge of Christ is to be eternally subject to the wrath of God. That isn't a place you want to be!
For those who have accepted Christ, are you heeding the call he has placed on your life? Are you going where he sends you, sowing your resources at his command, and spreading the gospel to the ends of the earth? Are you investing your talents in the kingdom as he opens up doors of opportunity for you?
If not, what are you waiting for?� Anytime we hesitate to follow the leading of God, we place ourselves on dangerous ground indeed!� Let's not profane the opportunities God has given to us – let's resolve to listen to him and walk where he leads. ��
Let me offer you some relief:
In today's post we noted that God places a very, very high value on every human life, including yours. In fact, he still has value for your life, even if you have taken the life of another.
Perhaps you find yourself in that place today – perhaps you have murdered another human being through accident, premeditation, abuse or abortion. If so, do not despair.
The Old Testament law required people to be executed for the taking of life. But under the new covenant of grace, God offers spiritual relief through the blood of Jesus Christ. This means that every sin, including that of taking a life, can be forgiven if you repent and seek refuge in the gospel of Jesus Christ.
So don't wait – invite Christ into your heart and life today! ���
Let me offer you some strength:
If you were a person who was forced to flee to a city of refuge, my guess is that you would look at each new day as a blessing and/or a valuable gift. At the same time, you would need to leave the past behind you, and move forward with life.
That is a good example for us as Christians. In fact, the apostle Paul advises us to do exactly that:
Philippians 3:13-14 – Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.
Do you have things in your past that you need to leave behind? If so, I strongly recommend that you go to Jesus in prayer, give them to him once and for all, and then banish those things from your mind forever!
Yesterday is gone and today is a new day; look ahead to the plans and purposes God still has in store for you!
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