1. Jesus Christ – Our Place of Refuge
Joshua 20

5. 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.

6. 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.’”

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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

10. 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

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

12. 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?

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

14. 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?

15. 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

18. 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?

19. 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

20. 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?

21. 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

22. Conclusion
Jesus Christ
Our
City of Refuge