Josué 20

Josué 20

Meyer - Joshua 20:9 And for the stranger that sojourneth among them. It is interesting to note this provision, made in the Land of Promise, for the passing over of sins which were not sins of presumption. In this verse there is that great word “Whosoever.” These cities of refuge were not for Hebrews only, but for whosoever had killed any person, without malice or forethought, but quite unintentionally, and had fled thither. Some poor Gentile might be sojourning among the chosen people, and suddenly find himself liable to the pursuit of the avenger of blood; but the gates of the refuge city were open to him, and the elders of the city were bound to give him a place that he might dwell among them (Joshua 20:4), not only safely, but in rest and peace. Herein there was a foreshadowing of the days when God should open the door of faith unto the Gentiles. “For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, since the same Lord is Lord of all, and is rich unto all them that call upon Him.” There were two mysteries made known to the Apostle Paul: one be unfolds in the Epistle to the Ephesians, the other in the Epistle to the Colossians. First, he teaches us that the Gentiles may be fellowheirs and fellow-members of the body, and fellow-partakers of the promise of Christ through the Gospel. Next, he expatiates on the riches of the glory of this mystery, among the Gentiles, that the living Savior is prepared to dwell in their hearts also, as the Hope of Glory. It is a serious question, how far we are participating in our inheritance. The gates of the promises made to Abraham and his seed are open for us to enter in ‘and dwell there; but there is too much backwardness and hesitancy in us all. “Whosoever will, let him take.” Warren Wiersbe offers an incredible insight on the cities of refuge in Joshua 20:1-9+ - Before leaving this theme, we should note that there is also an application to the nation of Israel. The nation was guilty of killing the Lord Jesus Christ, but it was a sin of ignorance on the part of the people (Acts 3:12–18+). When Jesus prayed on the cross, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34+), He was declaring them guilty of manslaughter rather than murder (1 Co 2:7–8+). The way was open for their forgiveness, and God gave the nation nearly forty years to repent before He brought judgment. This same principle applied to the Apostle Paul (1Ti 1:12–14). However, no lost sinner today can plead ignorance, because God has declared the whole world guilty and without excuse (Ro 3:9–19+). The Cities of Refuge: A Picture of Jesus David Guzik Joshua 20 Commentary The Bible applies this picture of the city of refuge to the believer finding refuge in God on more than one occasion: i. Psalm 46:1: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. More than 15 other times (ED: SEE BELOW) the Psalms speak of God as our refuge. ii. Hebrews 6:18+: That by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. Points of similarity between the cities of refuge and our refuge in Jesus. Both Jesus and the cities of refuge are within easy reach of the needy person; they were of no use unless someone could get to the place of refuge. Both Jesus and the cities of refuge are open to all, not just the Israelite; no one needs to fear that they would be turned away from their place of refuge in their time of need. Both Jesus and the cities of refuge became a place where the one in need would live; you didn’t come to a city of refuge in time of need just to look around. Both Jesus and the cities of refuge are the only alternative for the one in need; without this specific protection, they will be destroyed. Both Jesus and the cities of refuge provide protection only within their boundaries; to go outside means death. With both Jesus and the cities of refuge, full freedom comes with the death of the High Priest. A crucial distinction between the cities of refuge and our refuge in Jesus. The cities of refuge only helped the innocent, but the guilty can come to Jesus and find refuge. Adrian Rogers (from When Great Men Die Like Fools) The Saving Nature of the Cities of Refuge For example, think with me about the saving nature of these cities. They had, in Bible times, a law. They did not have the fine courts of jurisprudence that we have today, and the FBI, and all of those other things. If a person were to kill a blood relative of an individual, that individual was called the “avenger of blood,” and he could hunt down, seek out, find the slayer of his near kin, his relative, and put him to death. But God, knowing that many times a crime could’ve been done unwittingly; God, knowing that many times a person would need a court to hear him out; God, knowing that he would need a place of refuge, appointed six cities—six cities of refuge. And, the person who is fleeing from the avenger of blood—a person who needs a safe place, a hiding place—would flee into one of these cities and there be saved. And, the Bible uses this illustration to picture the Lord Jesus Christ. For example, the Bible speaks in Hebrews chapter 6 of those of us who have fled for refuge to Jesus—those who have fled for refuge to Jesus (Hebrews 6:18). And again, we know that wonderful, wonderful Psalm that says, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe” (Proverbs 18:10). And so, these cities of refuge are one more of the glorious illustrations that God has put in the mosaic of His Word, the tapestry of His truth, to point out and give us illustration upon illustration upon illustration of what it means to be saved and find refuge in the Lord Jesus. We sing about it: Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee. —AUGUSTUS M. TOPLADY PASSAGES DESCRIBING GOD AS OUR REFUGE Related Resources: Christ Our Rock of Refuge Christ Our Rock of Refuge-2 Psalm 7:1 A Shiggaion of David, which he sang to the LORD concerning Cush, a Benjamite. O LORD my God, in You I have taken refuge; Save me from all those who pursue me, and deliver me, Psalm 11:1 For the choir director. A Psalm of David. In the LORD I take refuge; How can you say to my soul, “Flee as a bird to your mountain; Psalm 14:6 You would put to shame the counsel of the afflicted, But the LORD is his refuge. Psalm 18:2 The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold. Psalm 18:30 As for God, His way is blameless; The word of the LORD is tried; He is a shield to all who take refuge in Him. Psalm 31:1 For the choir director. A Psalm of David. In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge; Let me never be ashamed; In Your righteousness deliver me. Psalm 34:8 O taste and see that the LORD is good; How blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! Psalm 34:22 The LORD redeems the soul of His servants, And none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned. (cf Ro 8:1) Psalm 37:40 The LORD helps them and delivers them; He delivers them from the wicked and saves them, Because they take refuge in Him. Psalm 64:10 The righteous man will be glad in the LORD and will take refuge in Him; And all the upright in heart will glory. Psalm 71:1 In You, O LORD, I have taken refuge; Let me never be ashamed. Psalm 73:28 But as for me, the nearness of God is my good; I have made the Lord GOD my refuge, That I may tell of all Your works. Psalm 91:2 I will say to the LORD, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!” Psalm 91:9 For you have made the LORD, my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place. Psalm 94:22 But the LORD has been my stronghold, And my God the rock of my refuge. Psalm 118:8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD Than to trust in man. Psalm 118:9 It is better to take refuge in the LORD Than to trust in princes. Psalm 141:8 For my eyes are toward You, O GOD, the Lord; In You I take refuge; do not leave me defenseless. Psalm 142:5 I cried out to You, O LORD; I said, “You are my refuge, My portion in the land of the living. Psalms 143:9 Deliver me, O LORD, from my enemies; I take refuge in You. Proverbs 14:26 In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence, And his children will have refuge. Isaiah 14:32 “How then will one answer the messengers of the nation? That the LORD has founded Zion, And the afflicted of His people will seek refuge in it.” Jeremiah 16:19 O LORD, my strength and my stronghold, And my refuge in the day of distress, To You the nations will come From the ends of the earth and say, “Our fathers have inherited nothing but falsehood, Futility and things of no profit.” Joel 3:16 The LORD roars from Zion And utters His voice from Jerusalem, And the heavens and the earth tremble. But the LORD is a refuge for His people And a stronghold to the sons of Israel. Nahum 1:7 The LORD is good, A stronghold in the day of trouble, And He knows those who take refuge in Him. Zephaniah 3:12 But I will leave among you A humble and lowly people, And they will take refuge in the name of the LORD.