Cities of Refuge
Pastor Maynard Force
From, "Our Refuge and Strength"
Then the Lord said to Joshua, Say to the people of Israel, Appoint the cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses, that the manslayer who kills any person without intent or unwittingly may flee there; they shall be for you a refuge from the avenger of blood. He shall flee to one of these cities and shall stand at the entrance of the gate of the city, and explain his case to the elders of that city; then they shall take him into the city, and give him a place, and he shall remain with them. And if the avenger of blood pursues him, they shall not give up the slayer into his hand; because he killed his neighbor unwittingly, having had no enmity against him in times past. And he shall remain in that city until he has stood before the congregation for judgment, until the death of him who is high priest at the time: then the slayer may go again to his own town and his own home, to the town from which he fled. So they set apart Kedesh. . . and Shechem and Hebron. . . and Bezer . . and Ramoth . and Golan. Joshua 20:1-8.The Lord gave command that six cities of Israel should be set aside as “cities of refuge.” These cities were located in strategic places so that any Israelite who needed their protection could have access to them.
The purpose of these cities was to provide protection for anyone who accidentally killed someone. The law was so rigid that it made no provision for an accidental death. The law demanded “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth.” That meant that if someone knocked out his neighbor’s tooth, he would have to forfeit one of his own as punishment. If an eye was put out, the guilty party would have to forfeit one of his eyes. If a life was taken, the law required the life of the guilty party.
God in His infinite mercy here made provision apart from the law appointing cities of refuge that the manslayer who killed any person without intent or unwittingly might flee there. These cities would be to him a refuge from the avenger of blood (v. 3). Here, indeed, we find the message of the gospel hidden away in the Old Testament.
The provision made for the manslayer is a type of salvation as we find it later revealed in the New Testament. This incident is a mere shadow of what was to come in the fullness of time. A shadow, however, always corresponds to the thing that made it. This is true also of this text as we compare it with Christ who later came to give His life as a ransom.
We will note five things about the manslayer that compare with the experience of a soul who seeks salvation in Jesus Christ.
SEE
The manslayer must first see that he has committed a horrible crime. When he beholds his companion whom he has accidentally killed lying on the ground dead, he must realize that he has done something that he is powerless to make right. No matter what he tries to do, he cannot undo his crime. If he were to shed buckets of tears, it would not bring life to the dead man. If he were to shout at the top of his voice that he was sorry, the dead man would not move a limb. If he were to bring all his wealth and lay it beside his dead companion, no life would be restored. If he were to condemn himself for his carelessness and afflict himself severely, still his dead companion would lie motionless. The crime is of such a nature that it renders the manslayer helpless. Sin is always like that. Whenever we sin, we have committed an act that we cannot undo. We are like the manslayer who has killed his companion. All our efforts cannot undo one sin. Blessed is the day when sin becomes as gruesome to us as killing. Then our hearts will melt with godly sorrow and we will cry out as David, “I know my trangressions, and my sin is ever before me” (Psalm 51:3).
The Holy Spirit stands ready to reveal to all of us the horribleness of sin. That is His work, for Jesus said of Him, “And when he comes he will convince the world of sin” (John 16:8). Until the Holy Spirit has been given the opportunity to show us what sin really is, we have not taken the first step toward salvation. Many people are trying to find salvation by ignoring this unpleasant truth, but they are finding nothing. It takes this conviction of the Holy Spirit to bring about “a broken and contrite heart” (Psalm 51:17).
The manslayer needed to see that he had committed a crime that brought upon him the penalty of death. He had committed an act that required his life. What a staggering blow this must have been to him. When the verdict of death is given in our courts, the guilty party often faints. There is no jesting or foolishness then. The most sober moment of a man’s life has come. He is awakened so that every nerve in his body is alert. God would have all sinners see that “the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23) and that “a soul that sins shall die” (Ezek. 18 :4). The apostle Paul came to the place where he cried out, “Wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death?” (Rom. 7 :24). God would have His holy law convict us “so that every mouth may be stopped, and the whole world may be held accountable to God” (Rom. 3 :19). Until this happens, the law has not done its work and we are not ready for the gospel.
FLEE
As soon as the manslayer realizes his predicament, he is instructed to “flee to one of these cities” (v. 4). The nearest relative of the dead man, called in our text “the avenger of blood,” is in duty bound to pursue the manslayer; and, if he can overtake him before he enters a city of refuge, he is to kill him. Therefore, the sooner the guilty one gets started for his only place of refuge, the better for him.
He who runs for his life runs with all the speed he has. A friend of mine was once pursued by his hired man who had suddenly gone insane. When he saw the butcher knife in the hand of this madman, he ran as he had never run before. He said his feet hardly touched the ground. By exerting all his strength, he was able to outrun his pursuer and thus saved his life.
He who realizes he has sinned is instructed to “flee” to a place of safety. “Flee” is a strong word. It means action, immediate action. God expects the sinner to place the pursuit of salvation first in his life. Loved ones, home, friends, work, ambitions, pleasures and all other interests must take second place. Moses said to the Israelites, “You will seek the Lord your God, and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul” (Deut. 4:29). The apostle Paul, speaking about himself, said, “One thing I do, forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal (Phil. 3 :13-14). He who “flees” has as his heart’s desire the safety of his own precious soul.
To disregard God’s instructions m e a ii s certain death, for “those who forsake the Lord shall be consumed” (Isa. 1:28). When God gives specific directions as to where to flee, lie expects the refugee to go there.
It is sad that many distressed people are lured to places where there is no safety. Some flee to what we shall call the city of good works. Here they busily engage themselves in some good work, perhaps even church work, hoping that by so doing they will be saved. Others flee to the city of forgetfulness arid try their utmost to forget the past. Still others cross oceans and continents thinking the city of a new start will solve their problem. The city of pleasure is over-crowded with poor sinners who are trying to get away from an accusing conscience. There are no end of cities trying to entice a poor sinner to hide within their crowded quarters.
He who flees to Jesus Christ, the one and only place of safety that God has provided, will have no regrets. Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father, but by me” (John 14:6). To encourage all guilty sinners to keep coming, Jesus has also said, “Him who comes to me I will not case out” (John 6:37). Such verses should encourage all to flee and to flee fast to Jesus Christ, our city of refuge.
PLEA
The manslayer is also told to “stand at the entrance of the gate of the city and explain his case to the elders of that city.” Now is the time for him to make his plea. The elders of the city are gathered before the gate ready to listen with sympathetic ears. This is the manslayer’s one and only stopping place.
The manslayer must tell what he has done before he can be admitted. God’s instructions state that he must “explain his case to the elders.” He must speak out and rehearse what has taken place regardless of how badly he may feel. He is not asked to make any excuses but to tell everything.
I
t was not easy for the manslayer to run and it was not easy for him to confess his guilt. No doubt he sobbed out his story to these sympathetic listeners. He who comes to the city of refuge and brags about himself or has no sin to confess can never gain entrance. The requirement for entrance is a confession of guilt. How simple God makes it for the erring one.
He who comes to Jesus Christ in prayer and confesses his guilt comes to our city of refuge. Jesus has said, “Come to me, all who labor and are heavy- laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). It is here where a weary sinner can come and make his plea. Jesus eagerly awaits a full and complete confession of our sins. A promise has been given, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, and will forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
Weary friend, never hesitate to tell all that you have done. Remember “all things are laid open and naked before the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” Our Lord does not scold a sinner. He loves him. If you find it hard to “explain” your case, pray for grace and you will find the needed strength. Our God “is a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). It is never easy for an individual to “explain his case.” Satan knows that once this is done, the weary will find rest. Therefore, the powers of hell are concentrated on one who is ready to be obedient in this respect. Many who have come to Christ have been hindered by their pride from telling all. Such find no rest but are continually pursued by the avenger of blood.
The avenger of blood is a type of the law. It gives no rest to a sinner but hounds him day and night. Its purpose is to keep working in our hearts until it has driven us to Christ. Paul writing to the Galatians said, “The law is become our tutor to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith” (Gal. 3:24 A.R.V.).
FREE
Confession leads to freedom, which we note is the fourth experience of the manslayer. When the man- slayer has finished his confession, the elders are instructed to “take him into the city, and give him a place, and he shall remain with them . . . they shall not give up the slayer to him (the avenger)” (v. 4- 5). On the part of the manslayer there was no worthiness whatsoever that gave him entrance into the city but his telling the elders what a failure he had been permitted him to enter. This is, indeed, a perfect resemblance to the way of salvation.
The manslayer is brought “into the city” to a place of safety from the avenger of blood. When the gates close behind him, he is promised protection from his most feared enemy. He also who comes to the Saviour “is hid with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3). There is no safer hiding place.
The manslayer is also given a place of fellowship. The elders were instructed to “give him a place, and he shall remain with them.” The man-slayer was not to look for some place of existence in some far away corner but he was to be given a place “with them.” In the city of refuge lived the priests and Levites, men who devoted themselves to the service of their God. They were the cream of the land. It was here with the best of the people, people interested in God’s work, that the manslayer found fellowship.
Once an individual finds refuge in Jesus Christ, he, too, is brought into fellowship with the best of people, the redeemed. The family of Jesus Christ becomes his family. His associates become those who are interested in promoting the kingdom of God. People whom he never knew before suddenly become his best friends. This is one of the pleasant surprises that awaits a convert.
The elders are further instructed that “they shall not give up the slayer” to the avenger. This poor man is to be treated as one of their own. His former faults are not to be held against him. We find here good advice for older Christians. Newborn Christians are their responsibility. Do not let gossip cause you to deliver up one that God has placed in your fellowship. Jesus said, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another” (John 13:34). We have a responsibility to all who join our fellowship. Let us surround them with our prayers and Christian love.
Even though the elders were instructed not to give him up, God gives warning to the manslayer in another account of this story. “If the manslayer shall at any time go beyond the border of his city of refuge to which he fled, and the avenger finds him outside the bounds of his city of refuge, and the avenger of blood slays the manslayer, he shall not be guilty of blood” (Numbers 35 :26-27). It is possible then for one who has sought refuge in this place of protection to leave it and be killed. The manslayer is not bound in the city of refuge. He is free. Free to enjoy the privileges of God’s people and free to leave if he so wishes. This same liberty is given a seeking soul. He is free to flee to Christ for protection and he is free to leave if he so desires. Christ forces no man to abide in Him.
JUBILEE
The fifth and last thing we observe about the manslayer is that he is to dwell in the city of refuge until “the death of him who is high priest at the time: then the slayer may go again to his own town and his own home, to the town from which he fled” (v. 6).
A death is necessary if the manslayer is to return to his home—the death of the high priest. When the news reached the cities of refuge that the high priest had died, the city gates were thrown open and all who had fled there for safety were free to go home. The avenger of blood was rendered powerless at the death of the high priest. He had no right now to touch the manslayer or even threaten him. Had a thousand priests died, the avenger of blood would have been just as bold; but when the one and only high priest died, he lost all his power.
Jesus Christ is known as the “merciful and faithful high priest” (Heb. 2:17). He “has appeared once for all . . . to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself” (Heb. 9:26). Because of His death, all sinners who believe on Him are set free. He who realizes what he has in the death of Jesus Christ can face his fiercest accuser with no fear for he is confident that “the blood of Jesus cleanses from all sin” (1 John 1:7).
If the manslayer living in Old Testament times had confidence in the death of his high priest, how much more confidence should we not have in the death of Jesus Christ, our High Priest. Ponder again what is yours because of Christ’s death. Never forget that He “has appeared . . . to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself” (Heb. 9:26). Jesus’ atoning death is sufficient to cause any sinner to be jubilant.
The manslayer had nothing of which he could boast. His hope was in the death of another. We poor sinners have nothing either in which we can boast. Our hope also lies in the death of another, our beloved Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Even as the manslayer could go back home and start anew, so all who seek refuge in Christ can do likewise. “Therefore, if any one is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, behold, the new has come” (2 Cor. 5:17).
We have followed the manslayer in five simple steps: namely, see, flee, plea, free, and jubilee. These are steps that saved the manslayer. Have you, dear friend, taken the steps that can save you?
