CITIES OF REFUGE

In the days of ancient Israel, God commanded Moses to establish Cities of Refuge — special places where anyone who accidentally killed another person could flee for safety until justice was carried out.

“Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: When you cross the Jordan into the land of Canaan,
then you shall appoint cities to be cities of refuge for you,
that the manslayer who kills any person accidentally may flee there.”
— Numbers 35:10–11

There were six cities in total — three on each side of the Jordan River — and they served as sanctuaries for those who unintentionally took a life. These cities symbolized God’s mercy and justice.

The person who caused death by accident could run to these cities before the avenger of blood reached him. There, he would find protection until he stood before the congregation for judgment.

“And they shall be cities of refuge for you from the avenger,
that the manslayer may not die until he stands before the congregation in judgment.”
— Numbers 35:12

A SYMBOL OF CHRIST OUR REFUGE

The Cities of Refuge were a prophetic picture of Jesus Christ — our eternal refuge from judgment and condemnation. Just as the manslayer fled to the city for safety, so we flee to Christ for salvation.

Without the City of Refuge, the guilty person would be killed.
Without Christ, the sinner faces eternal death.

“The name of the Lord is a strong tower;
the righteous run to it and are safe.”
— Proverbs 18:10

Just as those cities were easily accessible to everyone, the door of salvation through Jesus is open to all people — rich or poor, Jew or Gentile, man or woman. Anyone can run to Him for mercy and forgiveness.

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
— Matthew 11:28

THE HIGH PRIEST AND THE END OF CONDEMNATION

In the Old Testament, the one who fled to a City of Refuge had to remain there until the death of the high priest. When the high priest died, the manslayer was free to return home, no longer in danger of death.

“But if the manslayer at any time goes outside the limits of the city of refuge where he fled,
and the avenger of blood finds him outside the limits of his city of refuge,
and the avenger of blood kills the manslayer, he shall not be guilty of blood,
because he should have remained in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest.
But after the death of the high priest, the manslayer may return to the land of his possession.”
— Numbers 35:26–28

This was a prophetic symbol of Christ’s redemptive work.
When our High Priest — Jesus Christ — died on the cross, our debt was fully paid, and our guilt removed. His death set us free from the curse of sin and from the hand of the avenger, who represents Satan and divine judgment.

“But Christ came as High Priest of the good things to come,
with the greater and more perfect tabernacle not made with hands,
that is, not of this creation.
Not with the blood of goats and calves, but with His own blood
He entered the Most Holy Place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption.”
— Hebrews 9:11–12

RUN TO CHRIST — YOUR CITY OF REFUGE

Beloved, the message of the Cities of Refuge is a call to run to Jesus without delay.
The world today is full of sin, guilt, and condemnation.
Every person has sinned and stands guilty before a holy God — yet there is a place of safety.

That place is in Christ alone.
He invites every sinner to flee to Him and find mercy before it’s too late.

“That by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie,
we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.”
— Hebrews 6:18

If you have not yet come to Him, the time is now.
Do not wait until judgment catches up with you.
The avenger of blood — sin and death — is near, but Christ still stands with open arms saying,

“Whoever comes to Me I will by no means cast out.”
— John 6:37

A FINAL CALL

The gates of the City of Refuge were never closed.
Day or night, anyone could run and find safety.
In the same way, the grace of God is still open today, but one day the door will shut when Christ returns.

Run to Him today. Confess your sins. Receive forgiveness through His blood.
He is your refuge, your protector, and your deliverer.

“For You have been a refuge for me,
a strong tower from the enemy.”
— Psalm 61:3

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, You are my refuge and my salvation.
I run to You today with all my heart.
Forgive my sins, cleanse me by Your blood, and keep me safe within Your mercy.
Thank You for dying in my place and setting me free.
Amen.

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