Jesus Christ – Our Place of Refuge Joshua 20

20:1 - Then the Lord said to Joshua, 202 - “Say to the people of Israel, ‘Appoint the cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses, 20:3 - that the manslayer who strikes any person without intent or unknowingly may flee there. They shall be for you a refuge from the avenger of blood 20:4 - He shall flee to one of these cities and shall stand at the entrance of the gate of the city and explain his case to the elders of that city. Then they shall take him into the city and give him a place, and he shall remain with them.

20:5 - And if the avenger of blood pursues him, they shall not give up the manslayer into his hand, because he struck his neighbor unknowingly, and did not hate him in the past. 20:6 - And he shall remain in that city until he has stood before the congregation for judgment, until the death of him who is high priest at the time. Then the manslayer may return to his own town and his own home, to the town from which he fled.’”

20:7 - So they set apart Kedesh in Galilee in the hill country of Naphtali, and Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron) in the hill country of Judah. 20:8 - And beyond the Jordan east of Jericho, they appointed Bezer in the wilderness on the tableland, from the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead, from the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan, from the tribe of Manasseh.

20:9 - These were the cities designated for all the people of Israel and for the stranger sojourning among them, that anyone who killed a person without intent could flee there, so that he might not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, till he stood before the congregation.

God provides a refuge to escape wrath Verses 1-5 Verse 1 – the cities of refuge were appointed by God Numbers 35:9-15 – case of accidental killing Numbers 35:16-21 – case of murder Biblical example of manslayer fleeing: Deuteronomy 19:4-5

God provides a refuge to escape wrath Jesus Christ is the only escape from God’s wrath We are all sinners We all deserve God’s wrath and punishment Jesus Christ is the escape Have you personally escaped God’s wrath through faith in Jesus Christ

God provides freedom through the work of the High Priest Verse 6 Genesis 9:5-6 – death required for death

Why the death of the High Priest? Time would dissipate the emotions and anger A warning to others to be careful To show the value of life – or the seriousness of the loss of life To show (point to) that Jesus Christ, our High Priest, died for others’ wrongs Have you personally been set free the Jesus’, the High Priest, death?

God provides a refuge that provides protection and security Verse 5 Numbers 35:26-27 The manslayer was safe inside the city

Jesus Christ is our security and protection Romans 8:38-39 John 10:27-28 What are the five most important things in your life? How many of them can be taken away and lost? Only those that can’t provide true security Do you personally know Jesus’ protection and security?

God provides a refuge that is easily accessible Verses 7-8 Cities are evenly distributed No person more than 30 miles (48 kms) from one of the cities No person more than a day’s journey from one of the cities

Jesus Christ is easily accessible to people Unbelievers – through faith in Christ's death on the cross Believers – through Jesus’ interceding on our behalf Have you personally taken advantage of the access you have to Jesus Christ?

God provides a refuge for all people Verse 9 For all the people in Israel For the aliens and sojourners also living in Israel For any of the nations Israel had conquered

Jesus Christ is available to all who are in need The need Sin Forgiveness of sin Christ is available He died for all Have you recognized your need and came to Christ?

Conclusion Psalm 46:1 – God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Jesus Christ Takes away God’s wrath Our High Priest, whose death sets us free Gives security Is easily accessible Is available to everyone

Conclusion Jesus Christ Our City of Refuge