A Place of Refuge

Background Scripture: Joshua 20; Numbers 35
Lesson Scripture: Joshua 20:1-6, 9; Numbers 35:9-12

Introduction

God gave the commandment for certain cities to be set aside as places of refuge. A city of refuge was a place that provided protection for those who killed or injured someone unintentionally. Other tribes and primitive people appear to have provided a city of refuge even in their pagan settings, thus suggesting that this order was passed down through the generations of time. God’s commandment for the establishment of cities of refuge is first mentioned in Exodus 21:13: “And if a man lie not in wait, but God deliver him into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee.” Later, explicit directions are given how these places were to be set up, of which this lesson’s scripture is taken. Even as we consider the meaning of this for our day, we will also remember how Jesus became the “city of refuge” for the entire human race by willingly giving Himself as a sacrifice and then becoming our advocate before the Father.

Key Verse

That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us (Heb. 6:18).

Lesson Scripture

Studying the Lesson

In the law of God that was handed down to Moses, the firstborn of each family was to be dedicated to the Lord. The entire tribe of Levi, however, belonged to the Lord. In God’s plan for the priesthood and the leadership of his people, they were chosen and dedicated to fulfill that purpose. They were not given a section of the land of Israel but were given cities to live in. Of the forty-eight cities which were assigned to the Levites, six of them were designated as cities of refuge. The Levites were to set up three such cities on the east side of Jordan and three on the west side of Jordan. A person who had unintentionally killed someone could flee to the city of refuge. The city of refuge was open to the Israelite or a stranger in the land. This would save that person from mob justice or from someone with a personal vendetta. When the demand for retribution arose, these cities of refuge dispensed the administration of mercy and gave space for a fair trial.

A city of refuge did not shelter a willful murderer. What would it be like if murders and crimes committed against humanity went unprosecuted and were not judged? Capital punishment in that day was performed by stoning. It was the law, but more than one witness was needed to testify to the guilt of the killer. The person being charged, if found not guilty, would need to stay in the city of refuge until the death of the Levitical high priest. Then he would be free to go back to his own tribe and homeland. Until then, however, that person was required to stay in the city of refuge or again be subject to the law of “eye for an eye, and tooth for a tooth” (Matt. 5:38). God’s laws of judgment and mercy were clearly set forth.

Practical Truths for Today

Have you fled to Jesus for the refuge He has set in place for you? Jesus died on the cross to pay the ransom for our sins. Nothing more is required of us except that we put all our trust and obedience in Him, humbling ourselves by giving Him our heart. “How firm a foundation, ye saints of the Lord, Is laid for your faith in His excellent Word! What more can He say than to you He hath said, Who unto the Saviour for refuge have fled?” 1 Not only was He slain, but He arose again and became like a city of refuge for any and all who will willingly lay hold on eternal life. The key verse today addresses those “who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us” (Heb. 6:18). This is referring to those who have availed themselves of the salvation that was secured for them by our Lord upon the cross. All who find refuge in Him are safe from the fearful judgment of God.

Consider an Old Testament person who committed murder and fled to a city of refuge. He could not be released and set free until the high priest passed away. Only then was he free to be with his family again. Likewise, we only are set free from the guilt of all our sins by the sacrifice of Jesus. We commit many unintentional trespasses on life’s way that are not held against us, because of Jesus’s blood which covers them.

We could ask, “Who is guilty of slaying Jesus?” Both Jew and gentile stand guilty before God, having participated in what brought about the death of his Son. We cannot lay all the blame on the Sanhedrin or the Pharisees of Jesus’s day or even Pilate and the Roman government that carried out the cruel punishment. We are all guilty of the blood and body of our Savior. This is clearly laid out in several scriptures. Peter, speaking to the Jews said, “And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers. But those things, which God before had shewed by the mouth of all his prophets, that Christ should suffer, he hath so fulfilled” (Acts 3:17-18). Therefore, Peter could say to them, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted” (v. 19). Another passage states, “Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought: . . . Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory” (1 Cor. 2:6, 8). I am guilty; you are guilty. Thank God we have somewhere to run to and be saved.

Another place of refuge is found in God’s church and the united brotherhood. This is also a type of shelter. The Bible commands us to be baptized into a group of believers who truly embrace the gospel of Jesus Christ in sweet communion. As we humble ourselves one to another, we wash each other’s feet. Taking care of one another’s spiritual and physical needs is symbolized in feet washing. The church is a healing community where the broken can be put back together, vision restored, and those in prison can again be set free. What a blessed thought it is that the Lord has not planned for us to journey alone but to be a part of a group in a sanctuary of security. Here the soul can be at rest and the fellowship highly treasured.

We also must acknowledge the fact that we are still in this broken world and our souls are housed in these fleshly robes. We still are subject to the curse: sickness, pain, grief, sorrow, dying, and even broken hearts will be a part of the journey until we get to the heavenly city of refuge. Heaven our homeland will surely be worth it all when we will be able to see Jesus and all those who have fought the good fight. There we may spend all eternity in peace. Let us make sure steps to be there!

Illustration

A place of refuge is illustrated by an account out of the book The Hiding Place by Corrie ten Boom. Shortly before the Germans began to occupy Holland during World War II, bombs were dropping close to where Corrie and her family were living. As the German armed forces came in full force to capture the country, her family was, of course, very fearful. On one occasion, a piece of metal shrapnel came through a window and landed on Corrie’s bed. In the darkness as she was finding her way to lie down on her bed, she grasped the sharp, ten-inch piece of metal and cut herself. She cried out to Betsie, her sister, who quickly bandaged it up for her. Corrie then exclaimed to Betsie about the “what if” of her not being there to help her. Betsie then put a finger to her lips and said, “Do not say it, Corrie! There are no ‘ifs’ in God’s world. And no places that are safer than other places. The center of his will is our only safety—Oh, Corrie, let us pray that we may always know it.” 2 Betsie often even prayed for the Germans that were caught in the fist of the giant evil loosed in Germany.

The story of their life is of finding a haven in the midst of a threatening time. The Lord confirms this special place for anyone who will trust in the One who holds the past, present, and future in his hand.

Questions

1. A refuge is a place where people find relief from their anxieties and help for understanding themselves. Share a time of your life that you came to understand the “city of refuge” in a very personal way.
2. The church of God is the body of Christ, a “city of refuge” in a dark world. How conscious should we be of our influence and example of this principle to the world around us?
3. There is a hedge placed about the church for a safeguard to keep out the evils of the world. How can we obtain a greater appreciation for the guidelines set forth by the church?
4. 1 “How Firm a Foundation,” Christian Hymnal
5. 2 Corrie ten Boom, The Hiding Place, p. 67

Source: COGICM Daily Bible Readings (Daily Bible Readings, PO Box 124, Glenn, CA 95943).