Saturday, March 13, 2004
SIX CITIES OF REFUGE PREPARED IN ISRAEL. The first criminal act was the commitment of the most heinous of crimes. The murder of Able by Cain, it was a premeditated and deliberate act, prompted by a bad spirited man. The cities of refuge were prepared for those who had committed manslaughter. A serious deed and punishable by death, unless they fled to the city of refuge. While the Lord does not condone sin, He provides a way for the sinner to find pardon and refuge from the avenger of blood. When blood is spilt it has the nature of crying out for vengeance. The blood of righteous Able sought revenge. Gen. 4:10 The blood of the martyrs will do the same. Rev. 6:10 The avenger of blood was usually the closest member of the family of the one who was killed. The cities of refuge were Levitical cities, owned and occupied by the priests. Numbers 35:6 Three of the cities were to be on the west of Jordan and three on the east. They were shelters for all who accidentally took the life of another person. Numbers 35:13-15 If ever the accused were caught outside of the city, he could be killed as a judgment. Only in the city was there safety for him. He must remain in the city as long as the anointed high priest remained alive. On the death of the priest he was liberated and could return to his own home. What a beautiful type of our High Priest, the Lord Jesus. His death brought liberty and freedom to all who will receive Him as savior and Lord. Numbers 35: 26-28
THE NAMES OF THE SIX CITIES. The meaning of the names of these cities is of interest, the first mentioned is that of: KEDESH. It means, a sacred place or sanctuary. Precisely what one would expect. Kedesh was located in GALILEE, which means circle or circuit. Which would indicate the purpose of the area to encircle the guilty and supply sanctuary for him. It was in the area of mount NAPTHALI, meaning my wrestling. Indicating the depths of prayer and repentance on
the part of the guilty. SHECHEM. Shoulder or ridge. The place of burden bearing. The people of the city took on the responsibility of the individual, even as
Christ has for us. Located in mount EPHRAIM. Double fruitfulness, a type of the great fruitfulness that is in Christ. When the children of the Lord bear their spiritual responsibilities there is fullness of fruit. KIRJATH-ARBA. City of the four. Four being the number of the earth. Salvation for the world. A refuge for all. Caleb captured this city and renamed it HEBRON or alliance, league or confederacy. The people of the city would receive the guilty and come into alliance with him to protect and shelter him. Once again located in a mountain. This time Judah, praised. Most certainly anyone caught in a situation needing a city of refuge would
be filled with worship and praise for having escaped to the city of safety. Joshua 20:7.:END: