As of last week an Atlanta (Georgia) area radio station has been airing a short segment each day (Monday through Friday) of one of our Bible Study CD Sermons! I realize most of you cannot hear those broadcasts in a local sense … but they are on the Internet as well … live! At 11:30 this morning (until 11:45) visit WorldChristianBroadcasting.com and “click” the “Listen Online Now” tab. Monday we began a study of Psalm 13, verse by verse.
Now … today’s Bible Lesson from Joshua 20 …
“These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them, that whosoever killeth any person at unawares might flee thither, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stood before the congregation.” Joshua 20:9, the great chapter’s final verse.
I earlier said that these Cities were lovely “pictures” of Jesus Christ our Lord. One might honestly ask “How so?” In at least these ways:
The Cities were God’s Idea, not man’s. And Jesus coming to earth to be our Saviour, the same, God’s Idea indeed. The greatest Idea ever conceived, I believe. “And we have seen and do testify that THE FATHER SENT THE SON TO BE THE SAVIOUR OF THE WORLD.” 1 John 4:14
These Cities protected from the wrath of an avenger! So does Jesus. He is our “Ark of Safety!” Psalm 46:1 says: “God (Jesus) is our REFUGE and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Because of Jesus … God’s Hot Wrath no longer rests on me! (See here … “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:36)
These Cities were built in easily accessible places! Jesus too is an accessible Saviour! “WHOSOEVER shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13 (The door, front entrance to the Old Testament Tabernacle was 30 feet wide! Ease of access!)
Plus … the road leading to any one of these Cities had to be clearly marked! As in Deuteronomy 19:3 … “Thou shalt prepare thee a way (road, highway, route), and divide the coasts of thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee to inherit … that every slayer may flee thither.” And so with Jesus Who said “I am the WAY!” The readily marked Way! (See Isaiah 57:14 too. “Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people.” Thrilling!)
Also the manslayer (the inadvertent killer) had TO REMAIN in the City to enjoy safety! Even so we who are saved REMAIN in Christ Jesus, eternally secure in His Arms! The New Testament verb for “remain” is often “to abide!” In John 15:4 Jesus teaches us: “ABIDE in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.” So true.
These Cities (surprisingly) were for Gentiles as well as Jews! (Proof: “These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the STRANGER (foreigner), and for the SOJOURNER (temporary resident even) among them: that EVERY ONE that killeth any person unawares may flee thither.” Numbers 35:15, what Mercy!) And Jesus is too for any nationality, and race, anyone! Wow, Romans 10:12 … “For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him.” No difference!)
Folks, many other parallels indeed exist, but these at least give you a good start in the area of Jesus being our “Place of Refuge!”
Hallelujah!
— Dr. Mike Bagwell