Rev. David Holwick ZL
First Baptist Church
Ledgewood, New Jersey
November 15, 1998
Joshua 20:2-9
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SERMON SUMMARY: Cities of Refuge provided safety for those who committed
accidental manslaughter. Spiritual parallels with Jesus Christ are
highlighted. Churches should function as Cities of Refuge today.
I. Hiding from dad.
A. What did you do when you were in big trouble as a kid?
You run and hide.
Even if you felt it wasn't your fault.
Dads tend to swat first, ask questions later.
B. The dilemma of blood vengeance.
1) Ancient Israel did not have police or prisons.
a) Justice was basically a family responsibility.
1> They kill you, your family (avenger) kills them.
2> Simple. Quick. Cheap. No messy appeals.
3> Goes back to Genesis - Cain expected to be killed
for murder of Abel.
b) Doesn't trivialize sin.
2) Emotions can run amuck.
a) One section of Italy, over a four hundred year period,
had 600,000 vengeance killings.
b) The Hatfields and McCoys, big time.
c) Remains the custom in much of third world.
C. God demands justice, but he also provides for mercy.
1) In this passage we learn of a compassionate provision.
II. Cities of refuge.
A. God provided a safe place for unintentional killers.
1) Accidents, etc. (Head flies off axe.)
2) They were unintentional, but not innocent.
a) Taking life under any circumstances involved guilt.
b) Atonement is always required, but not punishment.
3) God understands human nature, provides for it.
a) Vendettas must be ethical - eye for eye.
1> Retribution is limited, emotionalism is checked.
2> (Woman tourist savagely beaten in South America
because town suspected she had abducted a small
child to take its organs for transplant.)
b) Innocent must have a place of refuge.
4) God wants us to live in peace.
a) Land becomes poisoned when terror reigns.
b) We need both justice AND mercy.
B. The beginnings of due process. 20:4
1) A procedure had to be carried out.
a) First, the killer goes to the city.
b) Second, there is a trial. 20:4,6
1> Suspects are innocent until proven guilty.
c) Third, he remains in city for lifetime of high priest.
2) Motive matters.
a) Not all acts have the same consequences.
b) There is a difference between murder and manslaughter.
1> Both take a human life.
2> But only first one calls for capital punishment.
c) Malice is the key.
3) Accidents can happen.
a) Our society always tries to find someone at fault.
b) Inline skater sues Morris county for tripping on twigs,
gets $600,000.
c) We would tell Joshua to sue the axe company for making
a shoddy product.
III. Spiritual insights.
A. Cities are chosen by God himself. Exod 21:13
1) Six cities are spread out evenly, both sides of Jordan River.
2) Atonement is not by our devising, but God's.
B. Protection is only for accidental murder.
1) Murderers are not let off hook. Deut 19:11-12
a) Even if they reach a city of refuge, they are killed.
2) There is no salvation for presumptuous sinners.
a) "sinning with a high hand" Num 15:30; Heb 10:26-27
C. Refugee had to remain in city.
1) Trust in Christ always, not just at conversion.
D. Available to Gentiles as well as Jews. 20:9
1) Justice should be for everyone.
2) In God's eyes there are no second-class citizens.
E. The death of the high priest secures final deliverance.
1) Is his death considered atoning?
a) But there were sacrifices that atoned for unintentional
sin.
2) His death marks the end of a period.
a) Signifies a statute of limitations.
b) Year of Jubilee cancels debts; death of high priest
cancels blood guilt.
IV. Jesus is the ultimate city of refuge.
A. The limits of "typology."
1) Some see exact correspondence.
2) But don't insist on connections unless New Testament does.
3) I prefer points of commonality.
B. Jesus presents himself as a refuge.
1) Those who are weary and broken can come to him.
2) Guilty sinners were especially drawn to him.
a) Prostitutes, tax collectors, notorious "sinners."
b) Christ's invitation is universal, Jew and Gentile.
1> Anyone from anywhere, can be saved.
C. Death of Jesus Christ results in our full redemption.
1) Once and for all, unrepeatable.
2) Even better, it delivers us from punishment we deserve.
a) Acts with bad motives can also be forgiven.
3) When we trust in him, we pass from death to life.
a) But we must cling to him, like branches to a vine.
V. Ledgewood Baptist as a refuge.
A. Churches should be places we can run to for refuge.
1) No matter what we have done.
2) Our background or class or neighborhood means nothing.
B. Churches resist this.
1) We really want people just like us.
a) Perfect; no problems.
2) Club mentality is prevalent.
a) Are you upset at actions of others here?
1> Church would be better off without them?
2> Think they should straighten out?
b) Then be God's messenger to them!
3) Failures should be welcome here.
a) Come as you are - then leave as you should be.
C. We should be like the local "Smiles" Go-Go bar.
Charles Swindoll:
The neighborhood bar is possibly the best counterfeit there
is to the fellowship Christ wants to give His church.
It's an imitation, dispensing liquor instead of grace,
escape rather than reality.
But it is a permissive, accepting, and inclusive fellowship.
It is unshockable. It is democratic.
You can tell people secrets and they usually don't tell
others or even want to.
The bar flourishes not because most people are alcoholics,
but because God has put into the human heart the desire
to know and be known, to love and be loved.
And so many seek a counterfeit at the price of a few beers.
#1525
Related passages: Exod 21:12-14; Num 35:6-34; Deut 19:1-13
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SOURCE FOR ILLUSTRATION USED IN THIS SERMON:
#1525, "Encourage Me," by Charles R. Swindoll, 1982, page 82.
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Sermon Notes
Mastering the Old Testament, by John Huffman
I. The law of the jungle.
A. God understands human nature, provides for it.
1) Vendettas must be ethical - eye for eye.
a) Retribution is limited, emotionalism is checked.
b) (woman savagely beaten in South America.)
2) Innocent must have a place of refuge.
3) God is establishing due process of law.
a) Suspects are innocent until proven guilty.
B. Six cities are spread out evenly, both sides of Jordan River.
1) Available for Jews and non-Jews.
2) Justice should be for everyone.
C. God wants us to live in peace.
1) Land becomes poisoned when terror reigns.
2) We need both justice AND mercy.
D. Relevant passages.
1) Exodus 21:13-14.
II. Typology, Pink.
A. Cities chosen by God himself.
1) Not by our devising.
B. Provides shelter from the avenger.
1) We cannot save ourselves.
C. Placed on high ground to be visible.
1) Jesus was lifted up on cross to draw men to him.
D. Road plainly marked.
1) Gospel should be plainly declared.
E. Easy access to cities.
1) God is near to contrite.
F. Protection is only for accidental murder.
1) No salvation from deliberate sin.
G. Refugee had to remain there.
1) Trust in Christ always, not just at conversion.
H. Available to Gentiles as well as Jews.
1) Christ's invitation is universal.
I. The death of the high priest secures final deliverance.
1) Death of Jesus Christ gives us full redemption.
Copyright © 2024 by Rev. David Holwick
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