Joshua 20:1-4 "The LORD also spake unto
Joshua, saying, (2) Speak to the children of Israel, saying,
Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of
Moses: (3) That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly
may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.
(4) And when he that doth flee unto one of those cities shall stand
at the entering of the gate of the city, and shall declare his cause in the
ears of the elders of that city, they shall take him into the city unto them,
and give him a place, that he may dwell among them."
As the people had come through the wilderness, the Lord commanded them (through Moses) that there would be six cities that were set aside to be cities of refuge. Now they are in the land and Joshua is reminded by the Lord of this arrangement. Six cities were set aside. These cities were to be used by anyone who had accidentally killed another person. They were allowed to come to the entrance of the city, stand there before the elders of the city, and submit their cause. If the elders felt they were truthful in their claim, then entrance into the city was permitted. They were allowed to live there until they died or until the high priest died. This gave them safety from a relative who might want to get vengeance upon the person. It seems apparent that there were six cities established in various areas of the land.
We sing the song sometimes, "Where could I go but to the Lord?" Then we read the words of the Psalmist: "Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. (2) From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. (3) For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy." (Psalm 61:1-3) There are times when our hearts simply must cry out to the Lord for help. These passages by the Psalmist seem to indicate he was in one of those moments. He cried out to the Lord and then pled with the Lord to hear him and help him into a place of safety. He acknowledged that the Lord is that only place of safety. In the New Testament, we read of Paul seeking the Lord's help on three different occasions (apparently concerning the same matter). Each time the Lord gave the same reply. "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Each of these verses speak to us of a place of refuge where we can flee in the time of distress. There is a place that is higher than we (strong tower), a place where stability is found (rock), a place where, by faith, we are able to see more clearly. There is a place where the grace of God flows freely through us and over us. In Paul's writing, he said this grace rests upon him. That word, rest, means to be covered. We are covered by God's grace and that grace is sufficient for every need that we encounter in life. Where do we find that grace? Hebrews chapter 4 tells us it is found at the throne of grace where we can find plentiful mercy and grace. We enter that place humbly, by faith, believing the Lord hears and answers our prayers.
As the people had come through the wilderness, the Lord commanded them (through Moses) that there would be six cities that were set aside to be cities of refuge. Now they are in the land and Joshua is reminded by the Lord of this arrangement. Six cities were set aside. These cities were to be used by anyone who had accidentally killed another person. They were allowed to come to the entrance of the city, stand there before the elders of the city, and submit their cause. If the elders felt they were truthful in their claim, then entrance into the city was permitted. They were allowed to live there until they died or until the high priest died. This gave them safety from a relative who might want to get vengeance upon the person. It seems apparent that there were six cities established in various areas of the land.
We sing the song sometimes, "Where could I go but to the Lord?" Then we read the words of the Psalmist: "Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. (2) From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I. (3) For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy." (Psalm 61:1-3) There are times when our hearts simply must cry out to the Lord for help. These passages by the Psalmist seem to indicate he was in one of those moments. He cried out to the Lord and then pled with the Lord to hear him and help him into a place of safety. He acknowledged that the Lord is that only place of safety. In the New Testament, we read of Paul seeking the Lord's help on three different occasions (apparently concerning the same matter). Each time the Lord gave the same reply. "And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Each of these verses speak to us of a place of refuge where we can flee in the time of distress. There is a place that is higher than we (strong tower), a place where stability is found (rock), a place where, by faith, we are able to see more clearly. There is a place where the grace of God flows freely through us and over us. In Paul's writing, he said this grace rests upon him. That word, rest, means to be covered. We are covered by God's grace and that grace is sufficient for every need that we encounter in life. Where do we find that grace? Hebrews chapter 4 tells us it is found at the throne of grace where we can find plentiful mercy and grace. We enter that place humbly, by faith, believing the Lord hears and answers our prayers.