THE CITIES OF REFUGE
There were six cities of refuge named in the Old Testament. They were all located on hills (indicative of the Church being referred to as a City on a Hill), so that they would be easy to find by those seeking redemption and/or protection. These cities were meant for the redemption of sinners who sought refuge in the Lord. Interestingly, the cities of refuge prophetically refer to Jesus Christ— the only true hope and refuge for mankind:
Joshua 20:7-9: And they appointed Kadesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjatharba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of Judah. And on the other side Jordan by Jericho eastward, they assigned Bezer in the wilderness upon the plain out of the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead out of the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan out of the tribe of Manasseh. These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them, that whosoever killeth any person at unawares might flee thither, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stood before the congregation.
Now let us consider these six cities of refuge:
•Kedesh in Galilee in Mount Naphtali: Kedesh means “holiness.” Jesus, our righteousness.
•Shechem in Mount Ephraim: Shechem means “shoulder.” Upon Jesus’ shoulders rests the government of God over the nations.
•Bezer in the wilderness upon the plain: Bezer means “fortification.” Jesus is a protection to those who put their trust in Him.
•Kirjatharba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of Judah: Kirjatharba means “fellowship.” Jesus restores us back into fellowship with God.
•Golan in Bashan: Golan means “joy.” It is in Jesus, that we are justified, though we sinned and fell short of the glory of God.
• Ramoth in Gilead: Ramoth means “high and exalted.” Jesus, though sinless, was crucified like a criminal (for our sake).“Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name which is above every name [government, political power, title, situation, or circumstance], that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father”(Philippians 2:9-11).
Thank God for America’s arsenal, but I call on the American people and the people of the world to put their trust, not in the false security that a physical arsenal alone provides. We must all put our whole-hearted trust in the name of the Lord (see 2 Chronicles 32:8). The arm of flesh will fail you, but the Lord God is a high tower, and those who run to Him shall be safe from weapons of mass destruction.
The Administration of the Cities of Refuge:
The administration and operation of the cities of refuge is not given to the politicians, lobbyists, intellectuals, scientists, psychics, or philosophers of this world. It is the priests of God who are appointed to govern the affairs of these cities, which, again, points to the true Holy Spirit-empowered members of the Body of Christ, not religious organizations or denominations.
We appreciate the efforts of politicians and men and women who labor daily for our benefit, and we thank God for their lives and contribution to humanity. But our confidence is not in the strength and wisdom of politicians, scientists, and bureaucrats. Our confidence is in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.(References: Joshua 20:1-8, Proverbs 14:26, Isaiah 25:4, Philippians 2:9-11, Numbers 35: 10-15, Deuteronomy 19: 1-3)
