The eternal refuge - Jesus Christ (Joshua 20)

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This land is the bloody world under control of the law of retribution - in this world people pay back what they receice, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. This kind of law has continued to controled the world, whether in modern or ancient society.

"Now tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed Moses. Anyone who kills another person accidentally and unintentionally can run to one of these cities; they will be places of refuge from relatives seeking revenge for the person who was killed. (Joshua 20:2-3, NLT)

God allowed the system of 'the cities of refuge' in order to pretect those who killed another person accidently. For example, suppose someone goes into the forest with a neighbor to cut wood. And suppose one of them swings an ax to chop down a tree, and the ax head flies off the handle, killing the other person. In such cases, the slayer may flee to one of the cities of refuge to live in safety.

The following cities were designated as cities of refuge: Kedesh of Galilee, in the hill country of Naphtali; Shechem, in the hill country of Ephraim; and Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), in the hill country of Judah. On the east side of the Jordan River, across from Jericho, the following cities were designated: Bezer, in the wilderness plain of the tribe of Reuben; Ramoth in Gilead, in the territory of the tribe of Gad; and Golan in Bashan, in the land of the tribe of Manasseh. (Joshua 20:7-8, NLT)
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The cities of refuge were designated in 3 areas of the west of the Jordan river and also 3 areas of the east of the Jordan river. So whoever killed another accidently could run into refuge to be proteced from a person of revenge. It was God's gracious consideration.

These cities were set apart for all the Israelites as well as the foreigners living among them. Anyone who accidentally killed another person could take refuge in one of these cities. In this way, they could escape being killed in revenge prior to standing trial before the local assembly. (Joshua 20:9, NLT)

​What's amazing is that the system of refuge applied not only to the people of Israel, but alse to all the foreigners who was dwelling among them.

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Overviewing all these contexts, we can realize that the cities of refuge shows the shadow of Jesus Christ. He who is our high priest covered us with His wide and perfect wings of love, even when we were helpless, full of sins and hostile, rebellious against God.

The cities of refuge could just protect those who kill another person accidently, but Jesus Christ became the only perfect refuge for us even though we were totally corrupted, decayed and helpless. 

Even now in this moment, Satan, the revenger of blood, tries to attacks us to kill with the weapons of worry, blaming ourselves, fear and judgment. But he can never dare to touch a single hair of us, if we hide back to Jesus. 

I just give thanks to God for the perfect grace that has concealed me in the Lord's presence forever. Hallelujiah!

<Application>
Today, I have to visit the education office of Langley in Canada for my children's school assignment. I wanna God's blessings to be on it, I rely on Lord Jesus - the refuge of grace.

<Prayer>
My dear Lord! Without your cross, I would be judged by all my sins and put to death in hell. I give thanks to you for delivering me from the sword of Satan by grace. I believe that now I live in the perfect refuge full of your unfainling love and grace. All of my life is laid on you - the King of peace. Today, I want to give glory to you by thanksgiving, praising and obedience to Your Words. I wish Your sovereign of grace and presence would guid my day in every moment. I prayed in Jesus' name. Amen!

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