Cities of refuge. They were places of safety for those who had committed unintentional crimes.
"Designate the cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses, that the manslayer who kills any person unintentionally, without premeditation, may flee there, and they shall become your refuge from the avenger of blood. He shall flee to one of these cities, and shall stand at the entrance of the gate of the city and state his case in the hearing of the elders of that city; and they shall take him into the city to them and give him a place, so that he may dwell among them." (Joshua 20:2-4)
As is so often the case in the Old Testament, various practices and procedures are figures of true substance found in the new covenant under Christ. Cities of refuge are a very real picture of our place of refuge in Christ. We find safety in Him from the unintentional sins we inevitably commit. There we find safety from "the avenger of blood", the adversary who accuses, Satan.
As those who have found a place of refuge in Christ, we are called to provide a similar refuge for others in our personal and corporate lives. We are to be a "support group" for recovering sinners in Christ.
I am forever indebted to men and women of faith who have, over the years, served as cities of refuge to me. Most notably, two men in a church I once pastored were unconditionally supportive, vulnerably honest, and unswervingly confidential. Never before or since have I shared in such non-judgmental honesty and heartfelt prayer. My emotional and spiritual health was greatly enriched in this "city of refuge" fellowship.
A frequent complaint about Christian fellowship is that it's a place where you cannot truly bring your life. We bring our service, financial support, and worship, but not the raw and real nature of our lives. Focus on living "the victorious life" easily overrides safe and honest sharing concerning sinful habits and temptations, and struggles of faith.
Sunday worship gatherings hardly seem the place for "city of refuge" sharing, but the cause of worship might sometimes better be served by gatherings of two to three desperately-hurting people in adjacent rooms. Personal pain often precludes joyous worship, so these gatherings in sincerity, support, and prayer might result in more authentic worship on such occasions..
In Christ we find a "city of refuge", and through Christ we become "cities of refuge". May we freely offer refuge to those today who need it, even as we have freely received in Christ.
Steve
© 2011, Steve Taylor
"Designate the cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses, that the manslayer who kills any person unintentionally, without premeditation, may flee there, and they shall become your refuge from the avenger of blood. He shall flee to one of these cities, and shall stand at the entrance of the gate of the city and state his case in the hearing of the elders of that city; and they shall take him into the city to them and give him a place, so that he may dwell among them." (Joshua 20:2-4)
As is so often the case in the Old Testament, various practices and procedures are figures of true substance found in the new covenant under Christ. Cities of refuge are a very real picture of our place of refuge in Christ. We find safety in Him from the unintentional sins we inevitably commit. There we find safety from "the avenger of blood", the adversary who accuses, Satan.
As those who have found a place of refuge in Christ, we are called to provide a similar refuge for others in our personal and corporate lives. We are to be a "support group" for recovering sinners in Christ.
I am forever indebted to men and women of faith who have, over the years, served as cities of refuge to me. Most notably, two men in a church I once pastored were unconditionally supportive, vulnerably honest, and unswervingly confidential. Never before or since have I shared in such non-judgmental honesty and heartfelt prayer. My emotional and spiritual health was greatly enriched in this "city of refuge" fellowship.
A frequent complaint about Christian fellowship is that it's a place where you cannot truly bring your life. We bring our service, financial support, and worship, but not the raw and real nature of our lives. Focus on living "the victorious life" easily overrides safe and honest sharing concerning sinful habits and temptations, and struggles of faith.
Sunday worship gatherings hardly seem the place for "city of refuge" sharing, but the cause of worship might sometimes better be served by gatherings of two to three desperately-hurting people in adjacent rooms. Personal pain often precludes joyous worship, so these gatherings in sincerity, support, and prayer might result in more authentic worship on such occasions..
In Christ we find a "city of refuge", and through Christ we become "cities of refuge". May we freely offer refuge to those today who need it, even as we have freely received in Christ.
Steve
© 2011, Steve Taylor
posted by steve @ 8:04 AM
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