Cities of RefugeNum.35

Levitical cities

Forty-eight cities, Nu.35:6-8 Six cities of refuge, each side of Jordan Josh.20, fulfillment

1. Refugee states his case; elders admit him2. Elders guarantee his safety till trial3. Even if acquitted, cannot leave city till

death of HP4. Clear distinction between murder and

manslaughter

I. Refuge

Refuge: asylum, haven

A state or condition of protection and safety

Christ of refuge, Hb.6:18

1. Two immutable things

2. We . . . fled for refuge: Nu.35:11

3. Hold fast to hope: cf. 4:14

Oath, Ps.110:4 Promise, vs.14

Papyri & inscriptions: technical term of appeal to ruler who can help

Cities of Refuge and Christ Within easy reach of one in need

Ps.46:1;141:8 Hb.4:16

Cities of Refuge and Christ Within easy reach of one in need Good roads led to cities, Dt.19:3 (Is.35:8;

Jn.14:6; Hb.10:19-20)

Cities of Refuge and Christ Within easy reach of person in need Good roads led to cities, Dt.19:3 Open to all. Hb.2:9; Ac.10:34-35 Open always. Hb.7:23-24 Place where refugees lived. Hb.10:38 Exclusive. 1 K.2. Ac.4:11-12 Must stay w/in borders. Hb.6:18-20. 2 Jn. Freedom comes w. HP death. Hb.7:25 No refuge for some. Nu.35:11-34 No payment / bribes, Nu.35:31-33. Ro.5:15

Cities of Refuge and ChristDifferences

Cities of refuge helped only the innocent, Nu.35:15

Cities of refuge saved from physical death

The guilty can come to Jesus for refuge, Hb.5:8-9

Jesus, from spiritual / eternal death, Hb.5:8-9

I. Refuge

II. Revenger

Kinsman revenger

Avenger of bloodshed (by killing the murderer of one’s relative, clears away the crime) 1K 16:11 – Holladay

Two men fightOne hits w. ax

History of feuding

1Weapon2Waiting

3Wish

We are guilty; w/o Redeemer, no hope

I. Refuge

III. Redeemer

II. Revenger

Kinsman redeemer

Make a claim for a person or thing > reclaim him / it, redeem – Holladay

1. Bondage (Ex.21:4). Hb.2:15

2. Property (Lv.25:23-28)

1KinHb.2:9, 11-13

2Rich enoughHb.2:10

3WillingHb.2:14

Kinsman redeemer

Make a claim for a person or thing > reclaim him / it, redeem – Holladay

1. Bondage (Ex.21:4). Hb.2:15

2. Property (Lv.25:23-28)

3. Male relative for childless widow (Boaz). Ru.2:12; 3:12…

The scene:

Two men chop down trees; ax head flies off, killing one – manslaughter Avenger of blood will track down manslayer, thinking he is murdererHe flees to city of refugeJesus is our Kinsman Redeemer, Rv.5:9

Pays our debt so that we do not lose our inheritance, Mt.18:27

Releases us from bondage of sin, Hb.2:15

Redemption & Bondage

Slave Market: world

Slave Master: satan

Slave State: sin

Redeemer: Christ

Price: Blood

1 Jn.5:19

2 Tim.2:25-26

1 Pt.1:18

1 Pt.1:19

1Pt.1:19