Bro. Orlan Ilustre shared last Sunday on Chapters 20 & 21 of the Book of Joshua. After defeating most of the promised land, God instructed Joshua to aportion the land to the 12 tribes of Israel. Then in Chapter 20 God instructs Joshua to say to the Israelites to appoint among themselves cities of refuge. I think this is a unique case of urban planning which never again was repeated in other countries in the world. This is what happens when you have God as your urban planner.
There were six cities of refuge and they shared the following common characteristics: available to all (gates were always open), accessible to all (everyone was within a day’s journey to at least one of them), widely advertised (prominently elevated at high elevations and seen from great distances). The names of the cities also contained great meaning: Kedesh (holy), Shechem (shoulder), Hebron (fellowship), Bezer (fortification), Ramoth (high and exalted) and Golan (joy or exultation).
God always made patterns for us to understand him. God is the place of refuge for the people of Israel and also God wants the Israelites to be a place of refuge for their fellowmen. This sample of Israel is to be brought into a larger scale with Jesus as the refuge of every man. And those who come to Him (the Church) should also serve as refuge to their fellowmen.
What is the result of coming into this refuge? Holiness, rest, fellowship, protection, authority, and joy.
