Title: Refuge
Content 32. City of Refuge
Shelter constitutes the perfect symbol of love, such as shelter from the storm, shelter from the rain. Here's a look at the following:
1. There is a definite meaning here
(1) It was God's will.
The Lord said, “Choose a city of refuge” (v. 2). At that time this city of refuge was consecrated for refugees according to the will of God. This city of refuge was undoubtedly a symbol of Christ (Heb. 6:18), who set himself apart for sinners. This is an aspect of Christ's wonderful work. The city of refuge was a refuge ordained by God, providing comfort to those who fled there. It was very comforting to sinners that they had such a refuge. We too are greatly comforted when we come to Christ, in other words, when we sin and flee from him. We cannot find our comfort anywhere other than where God is with us.
(2) It shows mercy.
This place was especially needed by murderers. How comforting it is that Jehovah has made such a preparation. God has done this to those who are in immediate need of mercy and in need of proper protection. This is a wonderful display of God's great grace.
And this we find in Christ. It is the wonderful grace of God that we take refuge in Him who has mercy to forgive and grace to help and power to protect.
God grants this grace to all who believe in Jesus. As sinners, we need more than a refuge. We need righteousness. But Christ fulfilled all of this very righteousness. Here we see the refuge of God's wonderful righteousness provided for sinners.
2. The meanings of those names are deep.
As we examine the names of these cities of refuge, we are struck by the unique character of each name. And it shows the special character of Christ's character, and there it well symbolizes our relationship with Christ. All of this reveals who Christ is as our refuge and why we need him.
(1) Kedesh (Holy Land), a refuge for the unclean
The holiness of Jesus and the sinfulness of man are both alluded to here. Neither of these two truths can be ignored or denied. Both of these facts are clearly taught in the Bible. The holiness of Jesus gives hope to the unclean. For when you approach him, your uncleanness is determined. Only those who are determined can make it correct. Christ can make the unclean one clean because he ordained from the inside out. The unrighteous are justified in God. The work accomplished by Christ provides a holy hiding place. It is the only place the unclean can decide. No place in the world is ordained apart from Christ.
There is no place where the sinner can be cleansed apart from the well of water opened for sin (Zech 13:1).
(2) Shechem (shoulder)
It is a refuge for the weary. The lost sheep find safety and rest on the shoulders of the shepherd (Matthew 11:28, Luke 15:5). He is the Savior, and he is strong. “Priorities are bound upon our shoulders” (Isa. 9:6), and when we do not find rest in ourselves, but in Christ, we depend not only on his merits, but also on his power and wonderful grace. The wonderful power of Christ's grace that guides us is a great comfort and strength to our hearts and souls. For the weary and weary children of the world, fathers are the best refuge and resting place. Christ is a wonderful refuge of comfort and peace to those who are weary and weary in the world just like us.
(3) Hebron (communion)
This is the refuge of the homeless.
Man is spiritually like a homeless stranger. Like Noah's dove, it is the reality of human beings who wander through the ark without finding a place to rest. The homeless prodigal found rest in his father's house and in his father's warm heart. Jesus Christ is the only Hebron for the soul. Only through Christ is spiritual fellowship with the Father possible (1 John 1:3). This kind of relationship is important for us to know in order to know God's warm love.
This is not a refuge from a lonely prison, but the lovely heart of the one who loves and has been loved. So you can feel the amazing love of God in it. A peaceful harbor is an unparalleled resting place for a sailor who barely survives a terrifying storm. For those who are weary of the course of life, Christ is the resting place of eternal rest.
(4) Bezer (fortress)
It is a refuge for the desperate. Man is not only a sinner, but he himself is a desperate sinner. There is no such provision to protect oneself in case of murder.
In the same way, the sinner has no conditions to protect himself. This is an important factor in any era. We are “the powerless. The name of the LORD is a strong fortress, a place where the righteous flee to find rest, and find God's mercy in God's justice. God's mercy in Christ is a fortress that never runs out. These are important things we should have in Christ.
There we find safety and peace, no matter how hopeless we may be. Jesus is the only vessel. Everything else is torn down and torn down like Jericho.
Such things may be strong and firm in the eyes of men, but in the eyes of God they are like a house on the sand.
(5) Ramot (Holy Place)
It is a refuge for the desperate. In the beginning we were not only powerless, but also hopeless in the world (Ephesians 2:12). Those who have hope in the world have no hope in Christ. We must find hope outside the world. Christ is our hope, and he makes us beautiful and precious in the power of the Father, with his name high above all. And he sets us high above others. Jesus is our Ramoth. When we feel abandoned and lonely in the world, we should look to him. Jesus is our only refuge. “Flee to him. Hide in it”. Only then are we exalted in it. Mountains do not protect us as our sanctuary. No mountain is safe for us. Those who are saved are in the ark (he is Jesus Christ and he is our ark of salvation).
(6) Golan (place of sex)
This is a refuge for those who have been tempted. Many church members are subjected to numerous trials in the world. This is because they love the world more and more.
But Christ was set apart for us. So he allowed his disciples to be tempted and overcome them. Golan is the last town mentioned. To be consecrated for God in the world is the last way we must seek. If we are to be safe from the curses of the world, Jesus must be all in all. Escape from the world, the flesh, and the powers of Satan is necessary for our spiritual growth and God's great blessing.
“God is our city of refuge and our strength”. From these names we can see what we have in Christ: Holiness, rest, communion, security, honor, and sanctification. These are the wonderful blessings we enjoy in Christ.