Today's lesson comes from Joshua 20: 1-9; 21: 43-45. To properly understand this lesson, it is important to learn the difference between murder and manslaughter. Murder is the premeditated taking of the life of another by lying in wait. Murder involves a conscious plan. You think about killing someone, plot it out, and wait for the right moment to carry it out. Manslaughter is different. There are two types of manslaughter: voluntary and involuntary. Voluntary is taking someone's life in the heat of the moment. A husband comes home and catches his wife with another man. In a rage, he kills them both. That moment wasn't planned, it occurred when the passions were high for the husband. If the husband left, went and thought about it and came back and killed his wife, that would be murder because he had time to "cool off." Involuntary manslaughter is the subject today. Involuntary manslaughter is the taking of another's life through negligence or by accident. For example, someone runs a stop sign and kills a pedestrian. It was an accident, but the person is still dead. It is this type of killing that was intended for the cities of refuge.
The sixth commandment is: "Thou shalt not kill." However, God knew there would be occasions where someone accidentally caused someone's death. He gave a promise that He would provide a "place whither he shall flee." (Ex. 21:12,13) Passages concerning cities of refuge are found in four books of the Bible. The most notable passages are found in Numbers 35: 6-34 and Deuteronomy 19: 1-14. To take another's life was a serious matter. No one should be careless in this regard. However, if there was an unintentional killing, the manslayer had to remain in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest. He would be away from his home, family and friends.
The first section is: "A Refuge Provided." (20:1-6) Scriptures tell us: "He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death." (Ex. 21:12) The "revenger of blood" was allowed to slay the murderer. However, if the killing was not premeditated, the manslayer could flee to a city of refuge. When he arrived, this was the process:
1. Upon arrival at the city, he stopped at the city gate to explain the situation.
2. These men make an initial determination of whether to allow the manslayer in the city.
3. At a later time, he would "stand before the congregation for judgment."
4. If he found innocent, he could remain in the city of refuge.
5. If he was found guilty, he would be turned over to the avenger of blood.
6. If innocent, he would live in the city until the high priest died. Then he would be free to leave.
7. The manslayer had to stay in the city if he wanted to be protected.
There are obvious parallels to salvation through the blood of Christ. You have to be drawn to Him. You flee for refuge to the cross. You must stay under the blood to be saved. To depart back into the world would mean death at the hands of the one that seeks to destroy you. Christ's death brought an end to what separated us from God.
The summary points of this section are:
1. The city of refuge is symbolic of the refuge we have in Jesus Christ.
2. To be protected, we must stay under the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.
3. Leaving the protection of the blood of Jesus Christ means death at the hands of the one that seeks to destroy you.
The second section is: "Cities Appointed." (20: 7-9) There were six cities "appointed" as cities of refuge. The word "appointed" means to be "set apart or sanctified." Three were on the east side of the Jordan River and three on the west side. They were spread out so there was a city of refuge available for only a half day's journey from anywhere in Canaan. The roads to the cities were well marked and each one located on a hill, easily seen and approached.
The meanings of the names of the six cities could be considered as expressing characteristics of Christ:
1. Kedesh--holy--Christ is holy.
2. Shechem--shoulder--Upon the shoulders of Christ rests the government.
3. Hebron--fellowship--Christ is the lover of our soul.
4. Bezer--fortification--Christ is our Rock and Strong Tower.
5. Ramoth--high or exalted--His Name is above every name.
6. Golan--joy--In Christ alone is found joy.
Just as the cities of refuge provided a place for the repentant manslayer to flee, so does the Lord Jesus Christ provide an escape from the penalty of sin for those that will come to Him. The summary points of this section are:
1. The cities of refuge are symbolic of the forgiveness from the penalty of sin found in the Lord Jesus Christ.
2. Just like a city of refuge was always nearby, so is the living Christ to those that will seek Him.
3. The way to salvation is clearly marked out in God's Word.
The third section is: "God's Promises Fulfilled." (21: 43-45) The LORD had delivered all the land just as He had promised to the early Jewish fathers. In addition, the LORD gave rest to His people, just as He had promised. Their enemies were defeated. Every single word that God had promised had come to pass. For us today, we need to become serious about being a people of the Book. We need to seek God's will through the Scriptures. We need to seek His wisdom through the Scriptures. Our churches should be based on the New Testament churches. Jeremiah 6: 16 speaks of the "old paths." The old paths are the best paths. They are the methods that our LORD has approved. Let us seek to whole fast to all that God has promised. He is no respecter of persons. What He has promised, will come to pass.
The summary points of this section:
1. Whatever God promises will come to pass.
2. We need to be a people of the Book.
3. The old paths are the best paths.
The Golden Text is: "There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken...all came to pass." (Joshua 21:45) Hebrews 10:23 states: "He is faithful that hath promised." May we truly become people that believe these verses. How different would our lives be if we truly acted like every promise of God would come about. Your faith would elevate. You would preach with conviction. We would be true ambassadors of heaven. You have read the text, so what is stopping you? Do you believe it is true?
Next week: "Parting Admonitions." (Joshua 23: 1-14)
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