1. Cities of Refuge Num.35

2. Levitical cities Forty-eight cities, Nu.35:6-8 Six cities of refuge, each side of Jordan Josh.20, fulfillment 1. Refugee states his case; elders admit him 2. Elders guarantee his safety till trial 3. Even if acquitted, cannot leave city till death of HP 4. Clear distinction between murder and manslaughter

3. I. Refuge

4. Refuge: asylum, haven A state or condition of protection and safety

5. Christ of refuge, Hb.6:18 1. Two immutable things 2. We... fled for refuge: Nu.35:11 3. Hold fast to hope: cf. 4:14 Oath, Ps.110:4Promise, vs.14 Papyri & inscriptions: technical term of appeal to ruler who can help

6. Cities of Refuge and Christ Within easy reach of one in need

7. Ps.46:1; 141:8 Hb.4:16

8. Cities of Refuge and Christ Within easy reach of one in need Good roads led to cities, Dt.19:3 (Is.35:8; Jn.14:6; Hb.10:19-20)

9. Cities of Refuge and Christ Within easy reach of person in need Good roads led to cities, Dt.19:3 Open to all. Hb.2:9; Ac.10:34-35 Open always. Hb.7:23-24 Place where refugees lived. Hb.10:38 Exclusive. 1 K.2. Ac.4:11-12 Must stay w/in borders. Hb.6:18-20. 2 Jn. Freedom comes w. HP death. Hb.7:25 No refuge for some. Nu.35:11-34 No payment / bribes, Nu.35:31-33. Ro.5:15

10. Cities of Refuge and Christ Differences Cities of refuge helped only the innocent, Nu.35:15 Cities of refuge saved from physical death The guilty can come to Jesus for refuge, Hb.5:8-9 Jesus, from spiritual / eternal death, Hb.5:8-9

11. I. Refuge II. Revenger

12. Kinsman revenger Avenger of bloodshed (by killing the murderer of one’s relative, clears away the crime) 1K 16:11 – Holladay Two men fight One hits w. ax History of feuding 1 Weapon 2 Waiting 3 Wish We are guilty; w/o Redeemer, no hope

13. I. Refuge III. Redeemer II. Revenger

14. Kinsman redeemer Make a claim for a person or thing > reclaim him / it, redeem – Holladay 1. Bondage 1. Bondage (Ex.21:4). Hb.2:15 2. Property 2. Property (Lv.25:23-28) 1 1 Kin Hb.2:9, 11-13 2 2 Rich enough Hb.2:10 3 3 Willing Hb.2:14

15. Kinsman redeemer Make a claim for a person or thing > reclaim him / it, redeem – Holladay 1. Bondage 1. Bondage (Ex.21:4). Hb.2:15 2. Property 2. Property (Lv.25:23-28) childless 3. Male relative for childless widow (Boaz). Ru.2:12; 3:12…

16. The scene: Two men chop down trees; ax head flies off, killing one – manslaughter Avenger of blood will track down manslayer, thinking he is murderer He flees to city of refuge Jesus is our Kinsman Redeemer, Rv.5:9 Pays our debt so that we do not lose our inheritance, Mt.18:27 Releases us from bondage of sin, Hb.2:15

17. Redemption & Bondage Slave Market: world Slave Master: satan Slave State: sin Redeemer: Christ Price: Blood 1 Jn.5:19 2 Tim.2:25-26 1 Pt.1:18 1 Pt.1:19