THE CITIES OF REFUGE. Joshua 20 The custom of blood revenge has been part of human responses to death, practiced since the time of Noah by family members when a violent death occurred, whether by accident or intentional murder. “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed.” When Israel entered Canaan, the Lord instructed Joshua to establish laws to enforce justice. Specific regional cities, known as “cities of refuge,” served as courts for handling capital offenses such as manslaughter.
Six cities were designated as safe zones where people could flee and find refuge if an accidental death or a crime occurred that needed to be judged by the city's leaders. These were accessible to all God’s people, although it might require an urgent journey of several miles to escape someone seeking vengeance. These cities served as places of refuge for anyone who unintentionally killed someone [De.19]. The cities of refuge were assigned to the Levites, who had been strategically positioned in the northern, central, and southern parts of the country on both sides of the Jordan River. Ideally, the law of Moses would be enforced by impartial judges who would hear both sides of cases brought to them by those who had fled to the city out of fear for their lives.
God’s laws allowed for the consideration of the intent and actions involved in a capital crime. The “avenger of blood” was a family protector, a close relative tasked with seeking retaliation for criminal acts. However, God did not grant unrestricted permission for revenge. The city of refuge set boundaries to private acts of vengeance. Trials took place openly at the city gate, where the elders heard the accuser, the defender, and witnesses present their cases. By observing body language, listening to tone of voice, and noting the attitude of both the avenger and the defendant, the elders could reach an appropriate verdict.
However, whatever the outcome was, even if the defendant was not guilty, he needed to stay in the city until the high priest died before he could go beyond the city walls and be safe. A manslayer would not be indifferent when he realized his life was in jeopardy. A false sense of peace or delaying a quick journey to the city of refuge could leave him in a place where there was no mercy. Considering a halfway stop to suffice would not only be useless but also dangerous.
When we are helpless and lacking strength, the place of refuge encourages us to “strive to enter in.” It is unnecessary for a believer to live in guilt due to ignorance. God has provided forgiveness for unintentional hurt and harm we may have caused others. Confessing our guilt and restoring our relationship with God allows us to live freely in perfect faith because our High Priest lives for us as an Advocate on our behalf. Without Christ, there is no mercy for the Christ rejector. We need the righteousness of Christ to be acceptable to God. He willingly took responsibility for our sins when He died on the cross. There, He bore our sins in His own body and satisfied God's justice.
Kedesh (Sanctuary, sanctified), in Galilee: “Place of Discovery.” A new nation needed a new government. God had instructed Moses on how this new government should function. In the north, beyond Galilee, was a city up in the hills in the territory allotted to Naphtali. “Naphtali is a doe set free that bears beautiful fawns" was the description we read [Gen.49:21]. The name means “Free;” “He utters beautiful words.” It is in such a place that we learn to know ourselves, as Isaiah did when he saw the Lord (Isaiah 6:5). We also discover that when we come into the family of God, we were, before we were saved, by nature without God, without Christ, and without hope. Ephesians 2:12. By practice, we were far off from Him, but now, by the blood of Christ, we have been brought near into this place of safety in Christ Jesus. Ephesians 2:13.
Shechem (Shoulder), in Mount Ephraim: “Place of Rest.” In the hill country of Ephraim, west of the Jordan River, near the center of the land, was the city of Shechem. The second son of Joseph was placed before his older brother. Joseph was a “fruitful vine near a spring whose branches run over a wall.” He was like a wild colt, beautiful and free, grazing on a terraced hill. This was a safe place where anyone approaching could be easily seen. There is a rest for the people of God, but our first need is rest from sin and its consequences, Matthew 11:28. That is the peace with God, not the rest a lazy person seeks. There is also a rest from judgment when we know we are free in Christ and justified, so their guilt of the past can be replaced with gratitude and thankfulness in the present, Romans 8:1. We have been rescued from the power of Satan and placed into the kingdom of the Son of God's love, Colossians 1:13.
Hebron (Communion), in the mountains of Judah: “Place of Fellowship.” In the hill country of Judah, another city sits high up where someone seeking refuge can find safety until their trial. Judah is greatly blessed as the kingly tribe that will rule and through whom Messiah will come. The name Judah means “Praise." The grace of God has brought us into a place where we can fellowship with the Father, 1st John 1:3, with the Son, 1st John 1:3, and with one another as believers, Malachi 3:16. Our fellowship is based on our obedience to the Word of God. Its operation depends on the unity of believers, and the Holy Spirit sustains it.
Bezer (meaning 'Firmness, stronghold'), located in the wilderness of the plain: a 'Place of Strength.' Far to the east in the land of Reuben, in the desert, lies Bezer. It is surrounded by the flat plateau of Reuben, offering a clear view to anyone in the city who is fleeing from pursuers. The city provides a refuge where one can stay within the walls until a fair trial is held and a public decision is reached. For us, Christ is the Hiding Place from everything that opposes us, as Isaiah 32:1 states. He reigns in righteousness and rules with justice. He is the shelter from wind and storm, the Rock in a weary land. Christ, the Rock, is our refuge, as Psalm 62:7 affirms. Christ is the Word made flesh, who dwelt among us full of grace and truth (John 1:3). He has complete knowledge of every situation and every need.
Ramoth (High place), in Gad: “Place of Safety.” The men of Gad were known as a band of raiders, not easily intimidated by anyone who would try to attack. Any attackers would find that the men of Gad would take seriously anyone trying to remove someone from Ramoth who had come to that city of refuge without having his case heard and justly judged. We can be encouraged that it is in the hand of the Lord that we are hidden and kept there safely, Isaiah 49:2. Not only that, but when we were lost in the wilderness, it was on His shoulder that He brought us to the fold of safety, Luke 15:5. This safety is sure because it is with His arm that we are held in this place of security where those who are avengers cannot claim us, Song of Solomon 2:6.
Golan (Joy), in Bashan (Golan Heights): “Place of Rejoicing.” High above the Sea of Galilee to the east are the heights of Golan in the territory of Manasseh, where one who accidentally killed someone could flee to find safety. The Levites in charge of these cities were there to ensure that justice and fairness were maintained. The Subject of our rejoicing is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself, in whom we have our confidence and in whom we rejoice, Philippians 3:3. Despite the outward circumstances of our lives, our inner attitude should always be one of rejoicing, Philippians 4:4. If we have lost that joy, we need to look at the events of our lives from a different perspective, and we will find many reasons to keep rejoicing. The progress and growth in grace and faith in a believer's life produce an abundance of rejoicing, Philippians 1:26.
The gates of the cities of refuge have always been open. God Himself chose these specific cities based on His principles of government, ensuring anyone who entered there was safe. The justice that pleases God is what truly matters, not our claims. Our security lies in Christ. His acceptance by the righteous God is our acceptance. This way, God can be both "just and the justifier" of everyone who believes in Him. In our "city of refuge," we are not just in a place of safety but are transformed into a new creation. Justice is upheld, divine righteousness is satisfied, and the gates of mercy are wide open to us as God, in great love, allows us to share in His grace. The act on our part that makes all this possible is faith in God, revealed through His Word, which shows us His will. Faith caused the man-slayer to flee to the city of refuge, and faith continues to make us today run to Christ.
Justice, government, and laws are essential in all human societies. Without any or all of these, chaos and disorder would overthrow society, leaving no space for safety. So, who determines what laws are right for a culture to establish so people can live peacefully? If left solely to man's judgment, there would be no balance between what is right and grace. Seeing a man running desperately to reach a city for safety today would seem quite strange. Cities are the places of greatest danger.
In ancient times, both the avenger and the slayer had their rights. To ensure a fair hearing, the man who committed the slaying could flee to the nearest of six cities, where judges would listen to his case. By rushing to the city, he admitted to the act he had committed, and there, judges made decisions based on the truth rather than sympathy. Whether the killing was accidental or intentional, justice determined the appropriate response. Based on the evidence and attitude shown, the act was classified as either an accident or a crime. In the city, the slayer remained safe until the matter was resolved with the passing of time.
For us, Christ is our refuge city to which we flee from the coming wrath. Justice carried out by a righteous God is demanded because death has been passed to each of us. In grace, within our refuge city, justice was served when Jesus died in our place. No believer should wish to leave this fair city; in Christ, we can rest safely. "There is, therefore, now no condemnation"; in this place, I am forever secure. The avenger of souls cannot enter there, and God's grace extended to us will last forever. Grace swung open the gate wide for me, and in faith, I entered. Now grace sustains me every day, and all the grace I need is provided.
Like the cities of refuge that were accessible to all the Israelites, the grace of God calls me to come near with full confidence in faith. Those who flee to this safe "city" will find everything we need right here. We are rescued from "wrath to come"; we were saved when we called on Christ's name, knowing that no one else can save us; it is to our Lord Jesus that every saved person turned. In this position in Christ, we are safe and secure from all enemies and circumstances that threaten us. Here, the grace we need is given; we will be forever with the One who saved us. Confusion, chaos, and revenge cannot enter these walls where the grace door of the city is open to anyone who calls on the Lord Jesus' name.
We can apply the teaching of the cities of refuge to ourselves and others to whom we witness our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ—that the gate of salvation is always open to those who know they have sinned and admit the guilt they deserve. It is not difficult to reach the place where a lost soul, like “a wayfaring man, though a fool,” can find refuge. When a person understands that their eternal safety is at stake, they will seek the Lord with all their heart. Awareness of coming judgment and eternal doom makes a person conscious of their need for the Savior. False peace or waiting for a more convenient time will leave a person alone “on the shores of the castaway.”
Forgiveness and salvation are offered because “the blood of Jesus Christ God’s Son cleanses us from all sin.” The principles of God’s government make us safe because the “avenger” is satisfied, and justice has been served. Within the walls of safety, we can live in peace, security, and joy. Christians whom God’s grace has justified through faith in Christ will never leave the place of divine grace, nor will God’s justice bring condemnation again. “Payment God will not twice demand; first at my bleeding Surety’s hand and then again at mine.” We, like the “manslayer,” can now find a resting place where love from above is able to be experienced every day.