Christ, Our Refuge

by Brother Charlie Heath
01/05/2023

Numbers 35:15 “These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither.”  
 
According to God’s law if a man killed someone, even if it was unintentional, then blood was required at the hand of that man according to Genesis 9:6. God was not concerned with how the man died as much as He was that a man’s life had been taken from him. The Levitical law stated that in the case that a man had killed someone, then an avenger, oftentimes a close family member of the victim, would carry out the death penalty upon the murderer. However, God did set up cities of refuge as a form of grace and protection for the man who committed unintentional manslaughter. The man in question would have the opportunity to flee to one of the six cities of refuge that were set up while waiting for his trial. Although the man could flee to these cities for his life’s sake, this did not grant him automatic amnesty. Once he arrived at a city of refuge, he would have to explain himself to the elders at the gate in order to be let in. In the event that the man was found innocent at his trial, then he would have to remain in the city of refuge until the high priest had died. Once the high priest of that day had passed away then the principle in Genesis 9:6 would have been fulfilled and the one seeking refuge would finally be set free.
 
            The cities of refuge are a beautiful picture of the refuge that we find in Christ. Nevertheless, how much more beautiful is the refuge that is granted us through our Lord and Savior? The cities of refuge were designed for the one who had unintentionally killed someone. However, we were born in our trespasses and sins. We were at total enmity with God. We were born intentionally going against God’s law, and yet we can still run to Christ for refuge. Another beautiful truth about our refuge in Christ is that we do not have a waiting period. The man who fled to the city of refuge was awaiting his trial and hoping for innocence. Today, once an individual runs to Christ for refuge, he does not have to await some trial to determine his innocence. He simply rests in Christ and knows with full confidence that he is completely pardoned from all transgressions. The cities of refuge were a foreshadow of the refuge that we find daily in Christ beginning at salvation, but this foreshadow could never be as beautiful and powerful as what the Christian’s state in Christ actually is.
 
Have you run to Christ for refuge and salvation by placing your faith and trust in Him? If so, do you continue to go to the Lord daily for refuge from the troubles of this world? For further consideration, read Psalm 46.

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