The Cities Of Refuge.

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In ancient Israel, the law stated that if a man killed another person accidentally, he had the right to run to the nearest city of refuge. It was a safe place to go so that the relative of the deceased, i.e., the kinsman redeemer, could not enter and take the man’s life. You see, it was his job it was to avenge his relative’s death.

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The cities were populated totally by Levites, the priestly tribe, whose job it was to protect the one seeking refuge from avenger of death.  As long as the man remained within the walls of the city, he was completely safe.

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There was a bit of a downside though: the person had to remain there among the Levites until the man who was high priest at the time of the incident, died.  Thereafter, he was free to return to his own city without fear of reprisal by the kinsman redeemer.

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The good part of the deal is that the man was accorded all the privileges of the priestly tribe who were given all the best food, the nicest clothing, and the best housing. Who would ever want to leave! 🤷‍♀️

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Hebrew is a language of picture writing, like Chinese.  Every word, name, place, and thing mentioned in scripture, even numbers, all add to the richness and meaning of any text.  The names of these cities are no exception!  They are listed below in order of the way they mentioned in scripture along with their meanings:

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Kedesh (קֶ֤דֶשׁ)————Sanctuary
Shechem (שְׁכֶ֖ם)———Shoulder
Hebron (חֶבְר֖וֹן)————Fellowship
Bezer (בֶּ֧צֶר)—————Fortress
Ramoth (רָאמֹ֤ת)———–Highly Exalted
Golan (בַּבָּשָׁ֖ן)————–Rejoicing

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As you saw above, there were six cities of refuge. “Six,” however, is the number of man and, as such, it is incomplete.  But you see, God never does things in sixes; He does them in SEVENS. Seven is the number of “Completeness or perfection.” In the article below about numbers in the Bible, you will clearly see that SEVEN is stamped quite literally all over creation.  It’s like God’s signature.  You may follow the link below to read all about it: 👇🏻

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Where, or more to the point, “Who,” is the seventh City of Refuge?  It’s Jesus!  He is The Refuge for the whole world. The way to the “City” is plain and has been well-marked for all to see. As the Bible says, that since the Heavens declare his glory, all are “without excuse.”

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Psalm 19 says “The Heavens Declare the glory of God.” Well guess what? They really do! THE REAL STORY in the stars was written by the One Who created the stars, placed them in the heavens, and orchestrates their movements.

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Believe it or not, the stars in the skies ACTUALLY tells the amazing story of Jesus, from the Virgin birth to the Lion of the tribe of Judah.

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No, it’s ABSOLUTELY NOT astrology.  Thumbs down to that!!! It is, however, a story well worth understanding.  Why?  Because many of you reading this may know people who actually believe all that horoscope nonsense.  Telling them the REAL story can open up a perfect opportunity to introduce them to the REAL JESUS!

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You may follow the link below and wade through an exhaustive study on the subject if you’re interested.  (I say, “Wade,” because it’s in 44 parts! 😮🤭):

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The Gospel today is highly visible, being broadcast on the most readily available medium of all time:  Television.  Can’t get higher than a satellite; well, except for the stars, of course.  Television can pretty easily be accessed by almost every household on the planet so that anyone looking for God can find Him.  Those who have a smart phone have access right at their fingertips.  It’s as if the Gospel is set on mountain tops for all to see!

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We, who have fled to THE City of Refuge, are PERFECTLY safe from the one who was out for our blood–the devil. HE CANNOT COME IN.  We can stay there forever because OUR GREAT HIGH PRIEST CAN NEVER DIE!!  We truly are FOREVER SECURE!

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This is also a picture of the local church, a place where sinners can go to find a sure refuge. There they can learn about this wonderful Jesus Who took all their sins and all their shame upon Himself on the cross; that He has taken all the punishment for sin that should have been theirs.

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Now that you have a working knowledge of the cities of refuge, you’re about to see how it can help in understating something I like to call, “The OTHER IMPOSSIBLE of Hebrew’s 6.”

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Many a preacher has expounded upon the passage below and preached a sermon so fiery, it could practically singe your hair! 🤯 Let’s take another look at it and see if what we have learned so far can shed some light.

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Hebrews 6:4-6

“For it is IMPOSSIBLE for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.”

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The sincere, well-meaning pastors who teach this error, however, seem to know nothing about THE OTHER IMPOSSIBLE in the very same chapter…..    

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Paul, writing to Jewish believers, is using language that they understood to drive home a point.  We discussed the cities of refuge first so you could understand why he wrote the way he did. It was so his Hebrew audience could grasp the concept.  He used the language of the cities of refuge to point out that, once you come to faith in Christ, YOU ARE COMPLETELY, IRREVOCABLY, AND FOREVER SAFE.  YOU CANNOT LOSE YOUR SALVATION…..EVER. 

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God swore by himself because THERE IS NO ONE GREATER BY WHOM TO SWEAR.  Actually, He doesn’t have to swear at all because GOD CANNOT LIE.  So when He swears by Himself and tells you that He will bless you, HE WILL.  Take it to the bank and cash that check!

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Are you tired and weary?  Has it been a long journey and you have no energy left?  Have you gone through the fight of life and feel tired and lost?  Jesus is stooping down, offering His strong shoulder to anyone and everyone who is seeking refuge.  His powerful shoulders, offered in fellowship, are a place of Sanctuary.

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He will exalt you high above all your troubles, far above all principalities and powers, far above satan, far above all the powers of darkness; far above disease, far above above poverty, and above EVERY curse that is named.  You don’t need to do anything in your own strength.  Simply rest on both of His strong shoulders, upheld by His Love and Strength.

That’s our Jesus!  He’s our ETERNAL City of Refuge!