Study 32: Joshua 20: 1-9
- Trent Evans
- Sep 21, 2024
- 6 min read
In this study of Joshua 20, we explore the concept of the cities of refuge and their significance in offering mercy and grace to those seeking protection. These cities, established by God, provided safety for individuals who unintentionally took a life, reflecting the deep grace and refuge available in Christ today. The study delves into how these cities serve as a foreshadowing of Jesus, our ultimate refuge, and how we must humble ourselves to enter into His protection. As we examine the text, we are reminded of the importance of seeking grace, confessing our need for redemption, and finding restoration through Christ, our High Priest and source of true peace.
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Sermon Outline
Chapter 1: Introduction to Cities of Refuge
Timestamp: 00:00-02:38
Introduction to the concept of cities of refuge.
Connection to Jesus as the ultimate refuge (Joshua 20, shadow of Jesus).
Key Point: Cities of refuge in Joshua symbolize grace, mercy, and God's protection.
Chapter 2: God’s First Instruction After Land Allocation
Timestamp: 03:10-04:40
After dividing the Promised Land, God’s first instruction was to establish cities of refuge.
Scripture Reference: Joshua 20:1-3 - "Designate cities of refuge... so that anyone who kills a person accidentally may flee there."
Key Point: God's immediate concern is for mercy and grace for those in need of refuge.
Chapter 3: The Avenger of Blood and Kinsman Redeemer
Timestamp: 05:33-06:49
Explains the role of the avenger of blood (Hebrew: Goel) as the kinsman redeemer.
Scripture Reference: Deuteronomy 19 (accidental death examples)
Key Point: The cities provided protection for those unintentionally causing harm.
Chapter 4: Humility and Confession Required for Refuge
Timestamp: 18:01-20:22
To enter a city of refuge, one had to confess their situation at the city gate.
Scripture Reference: 1 Peter 5:6-7 - "Humble yourself under God's mighty hand..."
Key Point: Humility and confession are necessary to receive God's grace.
Chapter 5: Jesus as Our Refuge
Timestamp: 20:43-22:53
Comparison of entering a city of refuge to accepting Jesus.
Scripture Reference: 2 Corinthians 5:17 - "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation."
Key Point: True refuge is found only in Christ, not in religion or institutions.
Chapter 6: The Role of the High Priest in Liberation
Timestamp: 37:32-39:20
Liberation from the cities of refuge occurred upon the death of the high priest.
Key Point: Jesus, our High Priest, liberates us from guilt and sin through His death.
Scripture Reference: Hebrews - Jesus as our eternal High Priest.
Chapter 7: Provision and Restoration in the City
Timestamp: 33:02-34:07
God provided for those seeking refuge in the city: jobs, sustenance, and a life worth living.
Key Point: The grace of God is about restoration, not just protection.
Chapter 8: Overflowing Grace and Mercy
Timestamp: 50:33-52:56
God's grace overflows beyond the measure of sin (Romans 5:20).
Key Point: Where sin abounds, God's grace overflows in abundance.
Chapter 9: Universal Access to Refuge
Timestamp: 53:08-55:26
The cities of refuge were available to both Israelites and foreigners.
Key Point: God's grace is extended to all who seek it, regardless of background.
Chapter 10: The Ultimate Invitation: Jesus as Refuge for the Guilty
Timestamp: 55:26-58:30
Unlike the cities of refuge for the innocent, Jesus is refuge for the guilty.
Scripture Reference: Matthew 11:28-30 - "Come to me, all you who are weary..."
Key Point: Jesus invites all, even the guilty, to find rest and refuge in Him.
Scripture References
Joshua 20:1-9
Timestamp: 03:10-05:33
Context: The foundational scripture of the study, detailing the cities of refuge and their purpose. The speaker highlights these cities as places of mercy and grace, established by God as a form of protection for those who killed unintentionally. The passage sets the stage for the connection between the cities and Jesus as the ultimate refuge.
2. Deuteronomy 19:2-10
Timestamp: 16:17-17:32
Context: Referenced when explaining accidental killings, such as a man unintentionally killing another while chopping wood. The speaker uses this to illustrate how the cities of refuge were designed to protect those involved in unintentional harm. It shows God's provision for mercy in cases of unintended consequences.
3. 1 Peter 5:6-7
Timestamp: 20:22-21:30
Context: “Humble yourselves under God's mighty hand...” This verse is used to emphasize the requirement of humility to enter the city of refuge, symbolizing how we must humble ourselves before God to receive His grace. The speaker relates it to the act of confession at the city gate, which parallels our confession of sin when we come to Jesus.
4. 2 Corinthians 5:17
Timestamp: 27:10-28:07
Context: "If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation." This verse is used to demonstrate how being in Christ, like entering a city of refuge, provides transformation and new life. The speaker emphasizes that true refuge and change are found in Jesus, not in religious practices or external structures.
5. Hebrews (High Priest Reference)
Timestamp: 37:32-39:20
Context: The role of the high priest in releasing those seeking refuge is paralleled with Jesus, our eternal High Priest. The speaker notes that just as the high priest's death liberated those in the cities, Jesus' death liberates us from sin and guilt. Hebrews speaks of Jesus as our ultimate High Priest who mediates on our behalf.
6. Romans 5:20
Timestamp: 50:33-52:56
Context: "Where sin abounded, grace overabounded." This verse is used to describe the abundance of God’s grace, which overflows and surpasses our sins. The speaker relates this to the overflowing grace available to those in need of refuge and to the greater capacity for forgiveness that God offers through Christ.
7. Matthew 11:28-30
Timestamp: 55:26-57:47
Context: "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." The speaker references this scripture to illustrate Jesus’ invitation to those who are burdened by guilt and sin. Like those fleeing to the cities of refuge, we are called to come to Jesus, the ultimate refuge, where we find rest for our souls.
8. Psalm 138:6
Timestamp: 22:53-23:24
Context: “Though the Lord is great, He cares for the humble.” This scripture emphasizes God's care for those who humble themselves. It reinforces the necessity of humility in receiving God's grace, which the speaker relates to entering the cities of refuge and finding rest in Christ.
9. John 3:16-17
Timestamp: 53:08-55:26
Context: The speaker highlights this well-known verse to draw a connection between the universal availability of the cities of refuge for Israelites and foreigners alike, and Jesus' invitation to all people for salvation. God’s grace, like the cities of refuge, is available to everyone who seeks it.
10. Isaiah 9:6
Timestamp: 40:34-41:02
Context: "The government will be upon His shoulders." This scripture is used to illustrate the strength of Jesus, who carries the weight of our lives. The speaker connects this with Jesus as the shepherd who carries the lost sheep on His shoulders, emphasizing that we can rest upon His strength and find refuge in Him.
Word Study
Goel (גּוֹאֵל)
Meaning: Kinsman Redeemer
Context in Study:
Timestamp: 14:24-16:17
The term "Goel" refers to the kinsman redeemer, who in Hebrew tradition had the responsibility of avenging the death of a relative or redeeming the family’s land or lineage. This is linked to the "avenger of blood" mentioned in Joshua 20, responsible for ensuring justice in cases of wrongful death.
Spiritual Connection: In the context of the study, Jesus is portrayed as the ultimate Goel, the Redeemer who not only brings justice but also grace and salvation. The speaker notes that while the Goel was bound by justice in cases of accidental death, Jesus brings both justice and mercy through His sacrifice.
Ratzah (רָצַח)
Meaning: To Murder or Kill
Context in Study:
Timestamp: 16:17-17:32
The Hebrew word Ratzah is used in the commandment "Thou shalt not murder" (Exodus 20:13), distinguishing between murder and accidental killing. The speaker references this distinction when discussing the role of the cities of refuge, which were intended for those who accidentally caused death without malicious intent.
Spiritual Connection: The speaker highlights how the cities of refuge were established for those guilty of manslaughter, not murder, underscoring God’s provision of mercy for those who unintentionally cause harm. This parallels how Jesus provides refuge and forgiveness for those who seek His grace, even though they may have caused harm unknowingly.
Parissos (περισσός)
Meaning: Abundant, Overflowing
Context in Study:
Timestamp: 34:07-35:32
The Greek word Parissos is used in John 10:10, where Jesus says, “I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” or "more abundantly." The speaker refers to this word when discussing the overflowing grace of God, which is abundant beyond measure, just like the grace found in the cities of refuge.
Spiritual Connection: In the study, this word emphasizes that God’s grace is not merely sufficient but overflows in abundance. This abundance of grace is symbolized by the protection offered in the cities of refuge and fully realized in the life and sacrifice of Jesus, who provides a full, restored life to those who trust in Him.
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