I’d like to tell you in advance that tomorrow’s lesson will again concern Joshua chapter 20. It’s just too important to rush through so many truths!
But at least the first two verses get us started.
“The LORD also spake unto Joshua, saying; speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you CITIES OF REFUGE, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses ….” Joshua 20:1-2
These cities (six of them) are to be specifically named places of “refuge” for a reason. So that a man guilty of what we would call “involuntary manslaughter” might run to any one of them, and be safe from any avenger! Like a relative of the dead person! Who might be out for “blood!”
The Hebrew noun “refuge” tells us a lot, as well. “Miqlat” (masculine singular) means “asylum.” It is translated (King James Version) “refuge” all 20 times it occurs in the Bible.
But … interestingly … it is derived from a verbal root (“qalat”) meaning “to be stunted, handicapped, deformed,” as of an animal lacking a leg or eye or ear, whatever.
Wow!
A place for deformed people.
I realize this chapter is speaking of social or moral deformity, a man having committed (and accidently at that) some crime against society.
Nevertheless God’s Law (given via Moses) allows for the appointment of these cities as a means of grace, refuge, safety for the erring man or (surely) woman.
Let me stop for today and observe something.
We were all sinners, spiritually deformed!
At the mercy of an enemy (the devil) who wanted us dead. And yes, we had committed crimes guilty of such a terrible end!
But God in His Grace, these cities no doubt being pictures of the Safety available in Jesus Christ our Lord, devised these abodes for the protection of the fleeing sinner!
Yes, Jesus is our City of Refuge.
It’s a little bit like Noah being “in the ark!”
Or Paul telling us again and again that we are “in” Christ Jesus, once we have been born-again!
Lots more information is available, from Joshua 20 (or its Biblical counterpart, Numbers 35) … and we shall glean there again tomorrow, the Lord willing.
Meanwhile … rejoice, delight in your “security” in Jesus!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell