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A City of Refuge

A City of Refuge. Numbers 35. A City of Refuge Introduction. A City of Refuge Introduction. We sometimes think of cities as dangerous. A City of Refuge was a place of exceptional safety. A City of Refuge Introduction. Merriam-Webster on Refuge :

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A City of Refuge

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  1. A City of Refuge Numbers 35

  2. A City of Refuge Introduction

  3. A City of Refuge Introduction • We sometimes think of cities as dangerous. • A City of Refuge was a place of exceptional safety.

  4. A City of Refuge Introduction • Merriam-Webster on Refuge: 1:  shelter or protection from danger or distress 2:  a place that provides shelter or protection 3:  something to which one has recourse in difficulty

  5. A City of Refuge Introduction • The Hebrew word gives the sense of “taking someone in” and “providing a safe place.” • The Cities of Refuge were Levitical cities that provided a place of protection.

  6. A City of Refuge Numbers 35:1-5

  7. A City of Refuge Numbers 35:1-5 • Each of tribes of Israel received a territory. • The Levites did not. • They were scattered among all the tribes. • The other tribes gave them numerous small cities withtheir surrounding land.

  8. A City of Refuge Numbers 35:1-5 • The Levites were the priestly tribe. • They and their ministry were available to all Israel. • Instruction in the Law • Enforcement of the legal code • Sacrifices and offerings

  9. A City of Refuge Numbers 35:6-8

  10. A City of Refuge Numbers 35:6-8 • The Levites received 48 cities total. • They were evenly distributed throughout the land. • Again, no one was far from their ministry. • Six cities were set aside as Cities of Refuge.

  11. A City of Refuge Numbers 35:9-15

  12. A City of Refuge Numbers 35:9-15 • Avenging the wrongful death of a family member was the typical form of justice in the ancient Near East. • We can still observe this practice there today. • The City of Refuge provided a helpful bridge to civil law.

  13. A City of Refuge Numbers 35:9-15 • These cities provided a safe haven for anyone in danger of death by an avenging relative. • The six Cities of Refuge were evenly dispersed. • There were three on each side of the Jordan. • 35:15 A refuge for all, not just native-born Israelites.

  14. A City of Refuge Numbers 35:9-15 Pink circles = about 1 day’s journey

  15. A City of Refuge Numbers 35:16-21

  16. A City of Refuge Numbers 35:16-21 • The Bible clearly distinguishes between killing and murder. • For the murderer, the punishment was death. • The City of Refuge would provide no safe haven.

  17. A City of Refuge Numbers 35:22-29

  18. A City of Refuge Numbers 35:22-29 • 35:22-24 If there was no malicious intent, the manslayer would be protected.

  19. A City of Refuge Numbers 35:22-29 • 35:25-29On one condition: He had to stay within the boundaries of the city. • With one exception: Upon the death of the high priest the manslayer was free to go. • The death of the high priest set him free!

  20. A City of Refuge Numbers 35:30-34

  21. A City of Refuge Numbers 35:30-34 • There was no ransom for the life of a murderer. • There was no ransom for the freedom of the manslayer. • His life depended upon him staying within the City of Refuge until the death of the high priest.

  22. A City of Refuge Numbers 35:30-34 • 35:34 God required a high level of holiness and purity for the nation of Israel. • They were the one nation and this was the one land in which God chose to supernaturally reveal himself.

  23. Christ Our Refuge

  24. Christ Our Refuge • Psalm 7:1 • Psalm 34:8 • Psalm 46:1 • Psalm 59:16 • Psalm 143:9 • Nahum 1:7 • Hebrews 6:18 Hold fast to Jesus, our only refuge!

  25. Christ Our Refuge • The Cities of Refuge were Levitical cities. • The Levites knew God’s ways best. • They were devoted to his law. • Their communities were devoted to ministry.

  26. Christ Our Refuge • Those who were closest to God had the responsibility to provide others with safety and protection.

  27. Christ Our Refuge • We should be like a City of Refuge for all who flee to Christ. • Those who see their sin need a safe place to run. • As Christ’s church we must be that safe place. • We should be a community that welcomes the outsider who has come here looking for Jesus.

  28. Christ Our Refuge • The City of Refuge was not far from any place in Israel. • Christ is not far from any of us.

  29. Christ Our Refuge • The City of Refuge was open to all people, not just native-born Israelites. • The same goes for Jesus.

  30. Christ Our Refuge • If you fled to the City of Refuge you had to stay there. • To go outside the city would put you in danger of death. • We come to Jesus to stay. • Through him we receive eternal life.

  31. Christ Our Refuge • The City of Refuge was the only way God provided to protect the needy person. • There is no alternative to Jesus Christ. • God has given us a way, but only one way, to be saved.

  32. Christ Our Refuge • The death of the high priest brought freedom. • So it is with Jesus Christ. • See Hebrews 9:24-28.

  33. Christ Our Refuge • Christ is unlike the City of Refuge in one big way. • The City of Refuge protected only the innocent. • Christ died to save the guilty.

  34. Christ Our Refuge • If God has shown you your sin, then He invites you to Jesus. • There is forgiveness and freedom under his protection. • See Romans 5:8-10.

  35. Christ Our Refuge • Christ … is not a refuge provided for men who are innocent, but for men who are guilty,— not for those who have accidentally transgressed, but for those who have wilfully gone astray. – Charles Spurgeon

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