The “Cities of Refuge” established in the days of Joshua were NOT for calculated, cold-blood, murderers! Those people were to be found, tried and punished if guilty. And the punishment was ultimate, physical death!

“Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image of God made he man.” Genesis 9:6, a text found within those critical first eleven chapters of the Bible. Jettison the fact that God created man, as stated in this verse, and one even looses his or her “moorings” for the Bible’s view (thus God’s View) of capital punishment!

No, the Cities discussed in Joshua chapter 20 offer safe haven only for … “the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly.” Joshua 20:3, accidentally!

Wow!

Not the cold-blooded murderer!

Not the one guilty of premeditation!

This is clearly stated in our Text.

Six cities, as listed in our Chapter “where the slayer that KILLETH ANY PERSON UNAWARES AND UNWITTINGLY may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.” Again, Joshua 20:3.

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, here is a case where the Old Testament “type” falls short of the New Testament Truth it teaches!

Into Christ Jesus, our City of Refuge, anyone may come … regardless of his crime, his sin, his background!

Even the murderer?

If he repents.

Even the rapist?

The molester?

The thief?

The ________?

If one acknowledges his sin, coming to Jesus by faith … YES!

He or she will be received into the loving Arms of God … held eternally “in His hands!”

And the Cities of Refuge could not promise that kind of unlimited Grace!

But Jesus did.

Jesus has.

Jesus in fact continues to do so!

Hallelujah!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell