God
told Moses to provide six "cities of refuge" into which those who had
slain someone could flee for refuge until a trial could ascertain the facts and
render a proper verdict. The Cities of Refuge were six Levitical towns in
Israel in which the perpetrators of manslaughter could claim the right of
asylum; outside of these cities, blood vengeance against such perpetrators was
allowed by the law.
What
are the characteristics of the Cities of Refuge?
1.
AVAILABILITY - They were available to everyone (Numbers 35:15). Whether the
manslayer was a son or a stranger, the city of refuge was open for him.
2.
ACCESSIBILITY - To be of any use, a city of refuge had to be accessible
(Numbers 35:13-14). (Deuteronomy 19:3). Nobody should ever be so far away from
a city of refuge that he could not make it there before the manslayer caught up
with him. The priests were to ensure that the roads leading to these cities
were clear from obstructions.
3.
PROMINENT - Most of these cities were built on top of mountains (Joshua 20:7).
They were easily seen, even from many miles away.
4.
CLEAR DIRECTIONS – The Talmud states that, in accordance with the requirement
to specially built roads to the cities of refuge, the roads to these cities
were not only marked by signposts saying "Refuge", but the roads were
twice the regulation width and were particularly smooth and even, all obstacles
to be cleared and bridges to be built, in order that fugitives were as
unhindered as possible. There was no need for anyone to misunderstand the way
to get there.
5.
ALWAYS OPEN - The gates of the cities of refuge were never to be locked. That
was because if someone had run for a whole day to get to the city, and then
they couldn't get in (e.g., in the middle of the night) they could still be cut
down by the avenger of blood.
6.
FULL AND FREE - The city was to be well stocked up to provide for any fugitives
who came to stay, possibly for a period of years.
7.
NEVER LEAVE THE PLACE – If the manslayer went outside the city, it could do
nothing to protect them from the avenger of blood (Numbers 35:26-27).
The
cities of refuge are types of Christ. Today, Christ is our refuge (Matthew
11:28). Just as the guilty person sought refuge in the cities set up for that
purpose, we flee to Christ for refuge from sin (Hebrews 6:18). Only Christ
provides refuge for our sins (Romans 6:23). Just as the cities of refuge, the
refuge found in Christ has the same characteristics:
1.
AVAILABILITY - The Gospel of salvation is available to all men (Mark 16:15;
John 1:29).
2.
ACCESSIBILITY - The salvation is easily accessible for all men (Romans 10:17).
3.
PROMINENT – The gospel has been preached to the world. The Word of God is
accessible to all men to know Christ and be saved (Mark 16:15-16).
4.
CLEAR DIRECTIONS – The word of God points clearly the way to heaven (John 14:6;
Acts 2:38).
5.
ALWAYS OPEN – Anyone can be saved anytime (a jailor was saved at midnight, Acts
16:33) and at any place (a eunuch was saved while in a desert, Acts 8:26-38).
6.
FULL AND FREE – Salvation is free and the debt of sin paid in full by Christ
(Romans 6:23).
7.
NEVER LEAVE THE PLACE - But when we leave the refuge which is found in Jesus
Christ, we die again; there is no salvation outside Christ (Hebrews 10:26).
Christ
is our only protection against the penalty of sin. In Him, we find refuge and
an eternal home. Let us remain faithful and stay in the refuge in Christ: “Surely
goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in
the house of the LORD forever” (Psalm 23:6).
Jimmy Lau
Psa
119:97 Oh how love I thy law! It is my meditation all the day.
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