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Introduction

Christ, our Refuge

Christianity is the only “religion” that provides for a resolution for the guilt and shame associated with sin.  All others require some type of penance or works righteousness that are necessary to offset the substantial transgressions against the Law.  The question that haunts our conscience is, “when is enough, enough?”  How many works of righteousness does it take to bring into balance the scales of justice?  It is the question that has been asked ever since the Garden of Eden and our guilt supplies the answer.  It is never enough.

The work of the cross stands in contrast to all other religions, cults and the occult.  The other religions sentence their subjects to life in a prison camp breaking rocks and performing worthless acts of slave labor with the hope that by the end of their lives their debt has been paid.  Does the term “gulag” come to mind?  Under any just legal system the guilty party is set free once the requirements of the Law are fulfilled.  The religious systems hold people in bondage with no incentive of seeing them be free.

Couched within the Levitical Cities Statute are several revelations of the Messiah, of which one is the number of refuges and the unique attributes of these cities.  Each of these attributes speak to the person and character of our Lord and the refuge we find in Him.

A Refuge for Man

There were six cities of refuge located on both sides of the Jordan River.  Six is the number of man in the Bible.  The refuges were created for man’s sake, not God’s.  The 6th commandment is “thou shall not murder (Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17).”  There is a difference between murder and manslaughter but the perpetrator is under a death sentence in both cases (Genesis 9:5-6).  Murder is an open, rebellious act against God since man is created in His image and likeness.  Manslaughter is an accidental death with no malice of forethought.  Both carry the penalty of death but only the “manslayer” has the option to flee to a city of refuge.

Cities that remain are built on strong foundations.  Foundations are designed to carry the weight of the entire structure.  Foundations are also basic universal principles that are tried and true over the ages.  The cities of refuge were unique in that there were six foundational characteristics that set them apart from the other Levitical cities.  They were anointed, accessible, elevated, evident, protective and inclusive.

The six cities of refuge beautifully portray our Lord Jesus Christ.  There are numerous details given about these cities which appear to be specifically designed by God to point us to Christ.

Anointed

God anointed the cities of refuge and created them by statute.  They were appointed by God and not devised by man.  Before the foundation of the world Jesus was appointed as the Messiah, the Anointed One that would come to be the refuge for our souls.

Paul summarizes the complete work of salvation in three verses (Romans 3:24-26), which coincides with the purpose of a refuge.  He is just (without sin) and therefore, He is our justifier.  He satisfied the requirement of the Law and, therefore, extended mercy to the guilty.  He stood in our place (propitiation) and did so publicly (trial and crucifixion).  Justification is a work of grace, offered by God as a gift and received by faith.

The prevalent explanation for justification is “just as if I never sinned.”  This cute saying accepts the final outcome of justification but ignores the requirement for arriving at this state.  We all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).  We are justified because the requirement of the Law has been fulfilled.  The Law was fulfilled by shedding the innocent blood of the Lamb of God rather than taking the life of the guilty, which is you and me.  The act was not intentional but we are guilty all the same and must find a refuge or suffer the penalty of death.

God anticipated our need and appointed Christ to be our Refuge.  In light of this truth, God instructed the cities of refuge to anticipate the “manslayers” and be prepared to provide shelter and sustenance upon their arrival at the gate.  What message should that give to the Body of Christ?  Shouldn’t every church be a replica of a city of refuge?  God anticipated our need and provided the church as a refuge for sinners.  We are to accept them into the fold in the same manner that Christ has accepted us.

Accessible

The Promised Land originally contained an area larger than the current boundaries of Israel.  It extended to the north and included part of Lebanon.  It also covered land east of the Jordan River, which included parts of present day Jordan and Syria.
The cities of refuge were distributed equally on either side of the Jordan River.  They were accessible from anywhere within Israel by no more than a days journey.  The roads to the cities were maintained and kept clear of brush and obstacles.  Access to the cities was made as easy as possible by removing the hindrances and excuses.

Access to the Refuge is as simple as believe on the Lord Jesus and you will be saved (Acts 16:31).  This is not to oversimplify the work of salvation but to make the point that God has removed every obstacle and simple, child-like faith will provide access into God’s kingdom.

Part 6B will cover the remaining characteristics of the refuges.  Stay tuned.