9 NovemberNumbers 35

Christ is our refuge

Numbers 35:6 (NIV) “Six of the towns you give the Levites will be cities of refuge, to which a person who has killed someone may flee.

Numbers 35:9-15(NIV) Then the Lord said to Moses: 10 “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When you cross the Jordan into Canaan, 11 select some towns to be your cities of refuge, to which a person who has killed someone accidentally may flee. 12 They will be places of refuge from the avenger, so that anyone accused of murder may not die before they stand trial before the assembly. 13 These six towns you give will be your cities of refuge. 14 Give three on this side of the Jordan and three in Canaan as cities of refuge. 15 These six towns will be a place of refuge for Israelites and for foreigners residing among them, so that anyone who has killed another accidentally can flee there. These six cities of refuge all foreshadow Christ.

Hebrews 6:18 (AMP) “so that by two unchangeable things [His promise and His oath] in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled [to Him] for refuge would have strong encouragement and indwelling strength to hold tightly to the hope set before us.

Confirmed by the Psalmist in Psalm 9:9 (AMP) The Lord also will be a refuge and a stronghold for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble. The Prophet Isaiah prophesies in

Isaiah 32:2 (AMP) “Each [one of them] will be like a hiding place from the wind And a shelter from the storm, Like streams of water in a dry land, Like the shade of a huge rock in a parched and weary land [to those who turn to them]”.

For the weary person looking for freedom from sin, He burns as a beacon of hope. Like the roads to the cities of refuge, the way to Christ is always evident. We are all sinners. The wages of our sin is death. Just as the city of refuge allowed for the innocent or those who committed unintentional murder to escape death, Jesus Christ also offered refuge from death. Christ is a refuge for any sinner, including murders

1 John 1:9 (AMP) “If we [freely] admit that we have sinned and confess our sins, He is faithful and just [true to His own nature and promises], and will forgive our sins and cleanse us continually from all unrighteousness [our wrongdoing, everything not in conformity with His will and purpose]”.

In conclusion, just as the cities of refuge provided a place of safety and protection for those in danger, Christ is our ultimate refuge. The cities of refuge were a foreshadowing of the salvation and security that we find in Him. We, weary, burdened by sin, and needing forgiveness, can flee to Christ and find rest for our souls. His sacrifice covers all, including the gravest of sins, offering forgiveness and restoration. In Him, we are protected, made new, cleansed from all unrighteousness, and given the hope of eternal life. Like the roads leading to the cities of refuge, the way to Christ is clear and open—available to all who will come. Let us hold tightly to this hope, knowing that we find refuge and redemption in Christ.