The book of Deuteronomy is such an awesome book to read and study! I never was a big fan of the Old Testament, but I became one as I recently did a study of the book of Deuteronomy. The reason this book is so great is that it contains all the information for living a blessed, Christian life. Deuteronomy is filled with promises of blessing for God’s people (which we are as Christians); as well as, advice that can be practically applied to our lives.
DEUT. 19: 1-13 (read scripture)
In sermon preparation they tell you it’s a good idea to get your sermon down to one sentence, your main point. This morning that sentence is this…
“God is our refuge and salvation, run to Him.”
This is what I want to reveal to you this morning. Just as these cities were an area of refuge for the Israelites, God is our refuge. I want to share some the lessons from this scripture that apply, practically, to us today.
These cities were not just places to come to for a visit or a picnic. The purpose of these cities was for the one who inadvertently committed manslaughter (accidental death, car accident, etc.). If you were out working in the fields and there was some accident and your neighbor was killed, you could flee to these cities. If you made it to the city you would have an opportunity for a fair trial. This is important in light of Israelite cultures and customs. If your family member was killed it was the responsibility of the closest relative to avenge the death in the family, the “avenger of blood” (v. 6) (this is the same position referred to as the kinsman-redeemer in the book of Ruth, this is a “negative” responsibility of the kinsman-redeemer or the original language, go’el). The avenger of blood, in his anger, might not care about a fair trial, and would pursue the one who committed the murder and kill him, not knowing that it was an accident, thus shedding innocent blood.
Theses cities were a place to flee to for safety, cities of refuge. After the murderer got to the city his case was examined by the elders. If it was found that the murder was premeditated, the murderer would be put out of the city and handed over to this “avenger of blood”. However, if the elders found that the murder was done in innocents, the murderer could stay in the city. As long as he remained within the city he was safe, and could live out a full life their, but if he was to ever leave the city he was no longer protected, and would be at the mercy of the “avenger of blood”. Also, the innocent murderer could leave the city safely upon the death of the High Priest.
WEBSTERS DEF. OF REFUGE
1. shelter or protection from danger, trouble, etc.: to take refuge from a storm.
2. a place of shelter, protection, or safety.
3. anything to which one has recourse for aid, relief, or escape.
Throughout my life a refuge, a place of safety, or protection has taken many different forms. I remember my earliest idea of refuge…
[CHILDHOOD REFUGE- DAD IN ROOM, HEAD UNDER BLANKETS]
1. (v. 3) Here we see God’s guidelines for the location of these cities.
These cities of refuge needed to be within easy reach. They had to be centrally located so that a person could have time to flee to these cities, by foot (usually). [PICTURE FOR SLIDESHOW] Not only did they have to be close, but the path had to be regularly maintained, it had to be clear of all hindrances or impediments, and it had to be clearly marked, with clear direction on how to get to the city.
When conducting fire inspections two important things that I look for are AREAS OF REFUGE (protected area in a bldg., such as mall/hospital halls, wings, sectioned off) and MEANS OF EGRESS (clearly marked, unobstructed, visible path, door width, adequate number).
[NIGHTCLUB FIRE DEATHS BANGKOK,THAILAND, COCOANUT CREEK]
Bangkok, Thailand- New Years Eve club fire…killing at least 61 people as they stampeded to escape the raging flames. More than 200 were injured, including 35 foreigners…Victims died from burns, smoke inhalation and injuries during the stampede from the club, which had only one door for the public, police Maj. Gen. Chokchai Deeprasertwit said. Firefighters said a door at the rear was known only to the staff, while an Associated Press reporter saw a third door at one side of the building.
Cocoanut Grove- The Cocoanut Grove was a nightclub in Boston, Massachusetts. On November 28, 1942, the fashionable nightclub burned in what remains the deadliest nightclub fire in United States history, killing 492 people and injuring hundreds more. It is also the second-worst single-building fire in American history…As is common in panic situations, many patrons attempted to exit through the main entrance, the same way they had come in. However, the building’s main entrance was a single revolving door, immediately rendered useless as the panicked crowd scrambled for safety. Bodies piled up behind both sides of the revolving door, jamming it to the extent that firefighters had to dismantle it in order to get inside. Other avenues of escape were similarly useless: side doors had been welded shut to prevent people from leaving without settling their bills. A plate glass window, which could have been smashed for escape, was instead boarded up and unusable as an emergency exit. Other unlocked doors opened inwards, rendering them useless against the crush of people trying to escape. Bartender Daniel Weiss and entertainer Goody Goodelle survived the Melody Lounge. By dousing a cloth napkin with a pitcher of water, Weiss was able to escape by crawling through the kitchen and other subfloor areas. Goodelle and several other employees were able to escape by crawling through a barred window in the kitchen. Five survived by taking refuge in a walk-in refrigerator. Fire officials later testified that, had the doors swung outwards, at least 300 lives could have been spared.
You know, God, is within easy reach. This Bible is our path marker to Him. To those who do not know Christ…
Rev. 3: 20- Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.
God is within easy reach, He comes to you. He wants to come into your life, and have a relationship with you. You just have to let Him in.
As Christians we often go through hard times in our lives. Times of disappointment, tragedy, let downs, doubt, and even temptation. Even in these times God is within easy reach, we just need to call out to Him and He will be there.
1 Cor. 10:13 - No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.
In these tough times of our life, God says He will provide a clear “way of escape”.
2. Cities of refuge were open/available to all, no one was turned away.
These cities were open to all who had need. It was not exclusive. It was available to the Israelite, as well as the alien living among them. No one was turned away.
You know, Christ is available to all. It does not matter what your race is, what your upbringing was like, whats happened in your past, where you’ve been, what you’ve done, no matter how horrible of sins you’ve committed, God is available to you this morning.
John 3:16- For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
“Whoever” believes in Him shall have eternal life. “Whoever” is whoever…that’s you, me, Mother Teresa, Jeffrey Dahmer, its whoever believes in God, shall have eternal life.
Christianity, a relationship with Christ, is not exclusive. It is open to all.
3. The one in need would have life.
The one who committed accidental manslaughter, the one who needed to live, would have life in the city of refuge. The guilty, who committed murder out of malice, would receive, in essence, the death penalty.
This morning we are all in need (not deserving of) of refuge in Christ.
Ro. 3: 23- … for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…
Without God, our refuge, we would not have the opportunity of life. But, God, saw that we were in need and created a refuge for us, in Him.
4. Cities of refuge were the only alternative, without them, total destruction.
There was no alternative to manslaughter. If you wanted to live, the only option was to flee to one of these cities of refuge.
[HOUSE OF REFUGE, HUTCHINSON IS., FL]
House of Refuge- The House of Refuge is the last remaining shipwreck life-saving station on Florida’s Atlantic Coast. Built in 1876 to help stranded sailors, its long colorful history spanned nearly 70 years…The house was one of ten commissioned by the U.S. Treasury Department as havens for shipwrecked sailors and travelers along the barren east coast of Florida. It is the only one that remains today. Without this life-saving station, the sailors would perish, a shipwreck would mean imminent death and destruction.
Think of the implications, here. Without God, we are doomed for destruction. If it were not for Him, where would we be?
Ps. 46: 1- God is our refuge and strength, a helper who is always found in times of trouble.(HCSB)
We would be lost. God is our refuge.
God is our only alternative.
5. The accused were protected only within the boundaries of the city. To be outside of the city meant death.
As long as the accused remained within the refuge, they were safe and protected.
[CASTILLO DE SAN MARCOS, ST. AUGUSTINE, FL]
Castillo De San Marcos- Spanish fort, made of stone, protected town, during battle, all towns people ran to the fort, the town was burned/destroyed, all protected inside fort…the year seventeen-oh-two was the first real test of the Castillo’s strength. The War of Spanish Succession had begun in Europe. Britain, Austria and their allies were fighting Spain and France to prevent a French prince from becoming the King of Spain.
The governor of the British colony of Carolina was James Moore. He hoped to capture the fort to prevent a possible attack by Spanish or French forces on his British colony further up the coast. Governor Moore commanded five hundred British troops and three-hundred Indians in his invading army.
The Spanish army only had two hundred thirty soldiers and one hundred eighty Indian allies at Castillo de San Marcos. Moore’s army arrived with eight small ships, and blocked the harbor of Saint Augustine. The people of the town fled into the Castillo.
Governor Moore could make no progress in his attack. The huge new fort was too strong. Then, several Spanish war ships arrived to help the Spanish soldiers. Moore burned his small ships and retreated to the north. He burned the town of Saint Augustine before he left. But the Spanish soldiers and the people of the town had survived in the fort. The battle had lasted for fifty days.
[SCBA MASK, FIREFIGHTER DEATH WITHOUT]
SCBA- Breathing apparatus, lifeline in a fire, without it death…Rhode Island fire…fumes (hydrogen cyanide) in small fire smoke…The local headlines were concentrated on the outcome of the operation when it was discovered that the burning plastic was emitting high amounts of hydrogen cyanide in the smoke, causing a lot of the residents some dizziness and distress. Eventually there were at least 40 ambulances on the scene (whew!) treating more than 70 people and transporting 31 of them to hospitals…The majority of the victims were firefighters. That’s right, of the 31 people transported, 8 were residents, 3 were EMT’s and 20 were firefighters. It appears that this particular fire department routinely responds to fire alarms without donning the SCBA’s until after they arrive on the scene, if at all…quote from the chief (according to the tv report): “… not all those firefighters had on the proper breathing gear because their first concern was to get in and save those residents.” (January 14, 2009 firegeezer.com)
Protection only found within the boundaries of the gear, within the boundaries of the city.
6. Full freedom to the accused, comes only with the death of the high priest.
Although the life of the innocent manslayer was spared, he was still in a type of confinement. He had to leave his home, friends, life, and possibly his family, to live and remain in the safety of the city of refuge. However, when the High Priest (at the time of the incident) died, the “avenger of blood” no longer had a right to this man’s life, the manslayer was free to leave the city. His slate was wiped clean, he was given a new start, a new chance at life.
As sinners we live in bondage. Bondage to Satan, bondage to sin. However, it is only through the death of our High Priest, Jesus Christ, that we can be truly free.
[JESUS AS HIGH PRIEST, HEBREWS]
Hebrews 2: 17-18- Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted.
Conclusion.
[BUNKER GEAR/ARFF TRUCK AS REFUGE]
Bunker gear, over 1,000 degrees of heat, protection from fire scene elements, provides a refuge/safety for self…importance of ARFF truck…refuge, responsible for protection of firefighters, T3000 3,000 gal. of water, large truck, nozzles, discharge 1,000 gpm…truck was place of safety/refuge.
God is our refuge. Whatever life may bring your way, run to the Refuge. In times of trial/tribulations, crisis, temptation, economic woes, run to the Refuge.
If your life is a mess, you have no direction, you have no relationship with Christ. You need the Refuge. Run to the Refuge.
Christ is within easy reach…Rev. 3: 20- Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me.
Christ is available to all…John 3:16- For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
It is only within the boundaries of relationship with Christ that we have true freedom.
[LIGHTHOUSE SONG]
There’s a lighthouse on the hillside that overlooks life’s sea
When I’m tossed it sends out a light that I might see,
And the light that shines in darknesss will safely lead us o’er
If it wasn’t for the lighthouse, this ship would be no more.
And I thank God for the lighthouse,
I owe my life to Him.
Jesus is the lighthouse, from the rocks of sin.
He has shone His light around me, and all that I might see.
If it wasn’t for that lighthouse,
Tell me, where would this ship be.
All the folks that live about us say
"Let’s tear the lighthouse down,
The big ships don’t come this way anymore,
There’s no use of it standing round."
But my mind goes back to that stormy night,
When just in time, I saw the light.
The light from that old lighthouse, that stands upon the hill.
And I thank God for the lighthouse,
I owe my life to Him.
Jesus is the lighthouse, from the rocks of sin.
He has shone His light around me, and all that I might see.
If it wasn’t for that lighthouse,
Tell me, where would this ship be.
And I thank God for the lighthouse,
I owe my life to Him.
Jesus is the lighthouse, from the rocks of sin.
He has shone His light around me, and all that I might see.
If it wasn’t for that lighthouse,
Tell me, where would this ship be.
