By Joshua chapter 22, most of the tribes of Israel had settled in their own respective territories. Except two and a half of them! Namely, Reuben and Gad and half of Manasseh!

They are the Jews who had chosen NOT to live in the heart of the land God had promised the Israelites!

They would live on the east side (the wrong side) of Jordan, the River Jordan. Just SHORT of the land their brethren would occupy! Not dwelling in the fields they had been commanded to conquer! That way, for these 2 1/2 tribes anyway, fewer giants had to be fought. And more convenience could be enjoyed, they having much cattle and that acreage being much more conducive to livestock! For the sake of ease and financial success … they followed the path of “least resistance!”

Their attitude shows, I believe, a bit of indolence (laziness) about things spiritual … and a bit of audacity about things financial! (Although these people were required to send soldiers to help the other Jews overcome their enemies … in the territory west of Jordan. Still, their wives and children and possessions never set a foot across the Jordan River!)

Little wonder then … this laxity of spirit led to yet another questionable issue in the life of Israel.

When Joshua granted the soldiers that Reuben and Gad and half of Manasseh had sent into war, granted them “leave” to return to their cattle and wives and children … yet another problem arose!

“And when they came unto the borders of Jordan, that are in the land of Canaan, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh BUILT THERE AN ALTAR by Jordan, a GREAT ALTAR to see to.” Joshua 22:10, Mercy!

They built an (unauthorized) altar by the River, near their self-claimed land!

They were supposed to worship at the Tabernacle wherever it was erected at any given time!

But these men who wanted “ease” for their business enterprises … also wanted “ease” in their worship endeavors!

They built an altar of convenience … merely “to see!”

Which (read all of chapter 22) nearly caused a civil war!

Which fell short of complete obedience to Almighty God!

Which nearly violated the Ten Commandments!

My point today?

Do not be lethargic, lukewarm, listless in your service to God!

Such half-heartedness always leads to spiritual disaster.

Wow!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

There was one tribe of Israel who inherited no acreage, no vast land grant. Instead, they were forbidden of the Lord to have massive land holdings!

Yes, Numbers 18:24 speaks of the Levites, the Jews given to what we might call “full-time service” … “But the TITHES of the children of Israel, which they offer as an heave offering unto the Lord, I HAVE GIVEN TO THE LEVITES TO INHERIT: therefore I have said unto them, Among the children of Israel they shall have no inheritance.”

In other words they were not to be “farmers,” but “servants” in the things of God, caring for the tabernacle and such. Their income obviously would not come from agriculture, but the “tithes” of the remaining tribes of Israel!

Then, logically, where would the sons and grandsons (etc.) of Levi live?

They, in Joshua chapter 21, were given “cities” to inhabit. Dozens of cities, equally scattered throughout the whole land of Israel. Not enough land to effectively farm, not enough to produce a harvest sufficient to  sell and maintain a profitable existence … just cities, so they would always have a place to lay their heads!

Here’s the account: “Then came near the heads of the fathers of the Levites unto Eleazar the priest, and unto Joshua the son of Nun, and unto the heads of the fathers of the tribes of the children of Israel; and they spake unto them at Shiloh in the land of Canaan, saying, The LORD commanded by the hand of Moses to give us cities to dwell in, with the suburbs thereof for our cattle. And the children of Israel gave unto the Levites out of their inheritance, at the commandment of the LORD, these CITIES and their suburbs.” Joshua 21:1-3, which follows with the names of each of those towns!

Yes, those who serve God exclusively (with their time) must be compensated in some manner!

And here it is. The tithes of Israel … also an allotment on which to build a home!

Paul expressed this idea as such: “Even so hath the Lord ordained that they which preach the gospel should live of the gospel.” 1st Corinthians 9:14

Is your Church properly caring for your Pastor?

Especially in light of 1st Timothy 5:17? “Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honour, especially they who labour in the word and doctrine.”

Wow, “elder” is another name for the “Preacher.”

And the expression “double honour” means “twice the pay,” no kidding!

Looks like ancient Israel really tried to obey God and care for her Levites!

Something to think about this Monday morning in February!

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

By the way, I am not asking for a raise! I do not pastor a Church. As an Evangelist … the Lord pays our bills through the free-will support of His people. And I am reporting to you … God sure is good.

 

 

I think, over the past few mornings, we have established the fact that the “Cities of Refuge” described in Joshua chapter 20 are “pictures” of the safety we enjoy in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Now today, briefly, let’s notice the names of these six places. Behind each there rests a lovely thought, one exalting the marvelous Grace of God!

“And they appointed KEDESH in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and SHECHEM in mount Ephraim, and Kirjatharba, which is HEBRON, in the mountain of Judah. And on the other side Jordan by Jericho eastward, they assigned BEZER in the wilderness upon the plain out of the tribe of Reuben, and RAMOTH in Gilead out of the tribe of Gad, and GOLAN in Bashan out of the tribe of Manasseh. These were the cities appointed ….” Joshua 20:6-8

“Kedesh” (spelled “Kadesh” elsewhere) means “Holy!” Or “Holy Place.”

“Shechem” means either “back” or “shoulder.” Both are symbols of “strength!”

“Hebron” clearly means “fellowship, association, company.”

“Bezer” once means “defence” in the King James Version. Although the word is most often defined as “gold.”

“Ramoth” means a “High Place.”

And then “Golan” means “captivity.”

Blending these etymological ideas … we get:

Jesus is our Holy Place!

It is His “Strength” that protects us from evil!

And “in” our Lord we have sweet “Fellowship!”

Plus, what we have in Jesus (the Safety He shares) is priceless, worth its weight in pure gold, as they say!

And yes, we live in “High Places,” Jesus being our very Fortress and Rock!

Lastly, reflecting on where we used to be, the time we spend (wasted) in the “captivity” of Satan, we rejoice in our new-found liberty!

Wow!

I realize many strict scholars would not allow me to so “typify” or “spiritualize” these names, the Cities of Refuge. But they can get a website and write their own articles refuting what I’ve done!

In the meantime, I will be thankful to Jesus, God’s Son, for where He has placed me, allowing me to live perpetually “in” Christ!

Paul worded it this way: “But God, Who is rich in Mercy … hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:6

We are already sitting in Heavenly Places … in Jesus!

What Refuge!

Amen.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

 

 

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

 

 

It’s not yet 5:30 in the morning, still dark outside, and we’re up and packing the car.

We this morning drive home to Tunnel Hill, Georgia.

Then I must leave (almost) immediately and drive south, through Atlanta, then back east to the City of Conyers, Georgia.

Because I have the opportunity and privilege of preaching the next two nights there!

Pray for this BUSY day, please.

Yes, at the Blessed Hope Baptist Church in Conyers where the Pastor is Brother Paul Wimpey.

I am excited.

— Dr. Mike Bagwell

The Lord willing, another Lesson from the Book of Joshua will be written and posted here tomorrow morning. I do trust our “regular” readers will understand.

It’s that Atlanta traffic situation that concerns me most, later today.