Cities Of Refuge Series

Today’s meditation is based on Numbers 35:6,“You are to give the Levites six cities of refuge to which any of you can escape if you kill someone accidentally. In addition, give them forty-two other cities” (GNB)

In the above mentioned verse we understand that the Lord had commanded that six cities be allotted as cities of refuge. These were assigned as a refuge for anyone who would by some lapse kill someone else accidentally, without any prior enmity or premeditation to carry out the same. This was the time when the Israelites had just occupied the Promised Land, and it is astounding to note how God who is mindful about the safety of every individual life, made arrangements for these cities of refuge.

You may be an insignificant person in a small town or village in some remote part of this world, but let me remind you that you have a God who is mindful of you, watches over you, loves you, and one who sympathizes with you.

Those were times when there was no judiciary or police department to maintain law and order. Nonetheless, even in those days God valued the life of every person, and made provision in His mercy to preserve every one of them.

The commandment of God as found in Leviticus 24:21, was,“Whoever kills an animal shall replace it, but whoever kills a human being shall be put to death.” (GNB)

It is evident that no man had the right to take the life of another, and if ever one did so the punishment was death. However, if for some reason a person murdered another unintentionally, there was a way of escape for the same.

We read in Deuteronomy 19:5-6, “For example, if two of you go into the forest together to cut wood and if, as one of you is chopping down a tree, the ax head comes off the handle and kills the other, you can run to one of those three cities and be safe. If there were only one city, the distance to it might be too great, and the relative who is responsible for taking revenge for the killing might catch you and angrily kill an innocent person. After all, it was by accident that you killed someone who was not your enemy.” (GNB)

Above is an example of the kind of accident that might cause someone to be killed accidentally, and in such a case the Lord assigned these cities of refuge as a safety for the person who committed such an act.

Let me highlight some specifications about these cities of refuge:

1. This was a place where a man escaped death penalty. If he was outside this city someone might take revenge, and put him to death

2. Once a person entered this city, he was safe from the hands of anyone who pursued after him to take revenge.

3. This city provided refuge and safety.

4. These cities were strategically chosen so that anyone who ran from any part of the country could reach the same within a day. All of them were easily accessible.

5. Anyone who entered the cities could, irrespective of who they are, even a gentile or a slave could find refuge inside these cities.

6. Whoever entered these cities were to be taken good care of, and provided with all that they needed for their sustenance.

7. The gates of these cities were always open, and never shut.

8. All along the way there were signs to guide one to the cities of refuge so that no one who ran to it could lose their way.

9. Bible scholars also mention that the roads that led to these cities of refuge were repaired and kept in good condition so the ones who needed them could use them with ease.

10. The most important part of this was that when the High Priest died, anyone who was in the city could walk out free, and get back to his hometown with no fear whatsoever.

You may be wondering why so many details have been given regards the city of refuge, and why these cities of refuge had such significance.

These cities of refuge were a fore shadow of the Lord Jesus who was to come to save us, and protect us hundreds of years later. God had ordained this beautiful plan of salvation through Jesus which unfolded slowly through various events that are recorded in the Old Testament, and the city of refuge is one of them.

We will compare the city of refuge with the Lord Jesus, and understand how this becomes so relevant to us today.

1. Saved from death

Jesus said these words in John 5:24,“I am telling you the truth: those who hear my words and believe in him who sent me have eternal life. They will not be judged, but have already passed from death to life.” (GNB)