Fifth And Sixth Cities Of Refuge Series

For today’s meditation we will look at Matthew 13:10-11, “The disciples asked him, "Why do you use stories as illustrations when you speak to people?" Jesus answered, "Knowledge about the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you. But it has not been given to the crowd.” (GW)

When Jesus lived on the earth, He taught many things. As a profound teacher, his teachings were simple, but deep. Generally when Jesus taught the multitudes, He often taught them in parables. The disciples of Jesus would ask Jesus to explain these parables to them when they were alone with Him. The question that was raised by the disciples was as to why Jesus chose to speak to the crowds in parables, to which Jesus replied that the knowledge about the mysteries of the Kingdom of heaven were given to them.

Even today there are many who are simply satisfied with getting to know things pertaining to God in a very superficial level. However, God chooses to reveal the mysteries of God, and the Kingdom of heaven to those who have a deep desire to understand the same.

God had a huge plan of salvation to save and redeem sinful man from sin, and the dominion of Satan. Even before God executed this plan of salvation, God revealed many of these plans in the Old Testament itself, and the cities of refuge were one of them. When the people of Israel entered the land of Canaan the Lord instructed Joshua to allot six of the cities to be cities of refuge. This command was also give to Moses who preceded Joshua. If a man accidentally killed another it was possible that he would be killed by someone who sought revenge. In order to protect such a person and to give him a fair chance to explain his action, these cities of refuge were assigned.

These cities of refuge were a fore shadow to the Lord Jesus Christ. We see this is so because of the extensive details that were given to the design, and functioning of these cities of refuge. The real purpose of these cities of refuge were fulfilled in Jesus who is the true city of refuge for all who believe.

We have looked so far at four of these cities of refuge, and in this study we will look at the fifth and sixth cities of refuge. Every one of these cities which have a Hebrew name also have a specific meaning.

We read about these cities of refuge in Joshua 20:7-8, “So, on the west side of the Jordan they set aside Kedesh in Galilee, in the hill country of Naphtali; Shechem, in the hill country of Ephraim; and Hebron, in the hill country of Judah. East of the Jordan, on the desert plateau east of Jericho, they chose Bezerin the territory of Reuben; Ramothin Gilead, in the territory of Gad; and Golan in Bashan, in the territory of Manasseh.” (GNB)

As we study the name and meaning of each of these cities, we will realize that they also represent the character and ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ as revealed in the New Testament.

• The name of the first city is ‘Kedesh’ which means ‘Holy.’ Only the Lord Jesus was worthy to be called holy.

• The name of the second city is ‘Shechem’ which means ‘shoulder.’ Jesus came down to the earth as a man and took upon His shoulder the cross. As Jesus hung on the cross, He took upon Himself the sins of all mankind. The sinless Jesus became sin for us.

• The name of the third city is ‘Hebron’ which means ‘friendship or fellowship.’ Since Jesus took our sins on Himself, He made it possible for us to have friendship and fellowship with God the Father.

• The name of the fourth city is ‘Bezer’ which means ‘security.’ Anyone who accepts the Lord Jesus as their Saviour are assured that the Lord Jesus will be their security. We read in the bible that the wages of sin is death, but Jesus alone can deliver us from that eternal death and that’s the reason He was revealed.

We will now study the names of the fifth and sixth cities namely Ramoth and Golan. Ramoth means ‘heights’ and Golan means ‘circle’ depicting an endless eternity.

If we observe people these days a majority live as though they are going to live in this world forever. There is no fear of God, no thought about God’s judgement, and a majority live as though their lives on earth is permanent. When Jesus was here on earth much of His teachings was about the kingdom of heaven. This kingdom of heaven represent the heights and also the eternal life that is to come. Once our life on earth is over we can be in either of two places; in hell, where there will be eternal torment, or in heaven, where we will have eternal peace and God’s presence. Sadly, many have forgotten this truth.