Joshua 20

Joshua 20:1

C. The Cities of Refuge (Chap. 20)The next step was to set apart six cities of refuge, three on each side of the Jordan River, where a manslayer might flee from the avenger of blood. A manslayer was someone who accidentally killed another person. The avenger of blood was usually a close relative of the slain person who sought to avenge the dead. If the manslayer could flee to a city of refuge, he found sanctuary there until the death of the . . . high priest. Then he could return . . . to his native city in safety.

THE CITIES OF REFUGEThe cities of refuge are interesting and of theological importance. MacLear gives traditional details about the cities: Jewish commentators tell us how in later times, in order that the asylum offered to the involuntary homicide might be more secure(a) the roads leading to the cities of refuge were always kept in thorough repair, and required to be about 32 cubits (about 48 feet) broad; (b) all obstructions were removed that might stay the flier’s foot or hinder his speed; (c) no hillock was left, no river was allowed over which there was not a bridge; (d) at every turning there were posts erected bearing the words ‘Refuge,’ to guide the unhappy man in his flight; (e) when once settled in such a city the manslayer had a convenient habitation assigned to him, and the citizens were to teach him some trade that he might support himself. These cities picture the nation of Israel and its guilt in connection with the slaying of the Messiah. Christ is the City of Refuge to whom penitent Israel may flee for sanctuary. D. L. Moody noted that “the cities of refuge are a type of Christ, and their names are significant in that connection.” The cities of refuge and the meaning of the names are as follows: West of JordanKedeshHoliness ShechemStrength Kirjath-Arba or HebronFellowship East of JordanRamoth-GileadUplifting GolanHappiness BezerSafety Thus Christ provides every blessing suggested by the names of these cities. A glance at the map will show that the cities of refuge were strategically located so that no point in the land was more than thirty miles from one of them. Moody makes the application: As the cities of refuge were so situated as to be accessible from every part of the land, so Christ is very accessible to needy sinners (1Jo_2:1-2). Notice the parallels between the temporal salvation offered the manslayer in the cities of refuge and the eternal salvation offered the sinner in Christ. The roads to the city were clear and well-marked, just like the way of salvation, so that none would make a mistake and lose his life. The cities were spread throughout the land and easily accessible to all, even as Christ is accessible to all men. Crisis drove people to the city of refuge, and many times a crisis is needed to drive people to the Lord Jesus for refuge. There was no neutral ground for the guilty personhe was either safe in the city or subject to the wrath of the blood avenger. Each individual is either safe in Christ or under the judgment of God (Joh_3:36).