Advent Day 8 :: Our Refuge and Hope
“So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us. We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” (Hebrews 6:17-20)
At the time of Israel beginning to settle down as a nation, no longer wandering around the wilderness, God saw fit to instruct Moses to begin to put into place regulations, laws, and a judiciary system that would combat against the nomadic feudal system that was in place among the tribes which had created blood feuds and animosity among families.
In Numbers 35, Deuteronomy 4 and 19, and Joshua 20 we see the implementation of cities of refuge. In the beginning there were three cities and as the nation grew as was according to the instruction of God they would expand the cities of refuge to six.
These cities were given to provide safety for the individual who had accidentally killed a fellow Israelite. They would be able to plead their case to the high priest or official in that city and remain there until trial and proved them innocent or until the high priest had passed (which usually granted amnesty to those in refuge). At that time, and that time only would they be permitted to return to their home. These cities were centrally located for ease of access to any and all Israelites and were assigned to the Levites where the law of Moses was especially known and honored.
We see today in our Hebrews passage that Christ has become a refuge for those fleeing from their sin. He has become a place where one can find hope, encouragement, and a sure and steadfast anchor for the soul (Hebrews 6:18-19)
We are all like sheep who have gone astray. We have all sinned and deserve the just wages of sin - death. God in his infinite mercy provided a place of refuge. A hope that there again could be a right relationship between the Offended and the offender. Christ has been typified as the city of refuge. He came that we would not die but have eternal life (John 3:16). He came to seek and save those that are lost (Luke 19:10).
As these cities were centrally located and there were such a vast number of places of refuge we see the sufficiency of Christ. He is near to all and highly capable of handling the sin of any and all who come to Him for refuge and hope, encouragement and security.
We see in the cities of refuge a picture of who Christ is to us:
Kadesh which in meaning signifies consecration or to be made holy. Christ is our example of holiness.
Shechem which means shoulder representing Christ who would come to bear our burdens and sins.
Hebron which signifies fellowship. Christ would be the one to be the grounds in which there would be a relationship, fellowship, once again with the Father.
Bezer or stronghold which paints for us a picture that Christ is our refuge, our fortress in the day of trouble. We see this all throughout the Psalms of King David.
Ramoth which means exaltation signifying that Christ would be the exalted one of God.
Finally, Golan or exultation or joy. Christ would be our joy, our reason for worship and rejoicing.
In this Advent season reflect on a time in which God has provided for you a place of refuge and safety. The coming Savior will forever and ever be a place of refuge and safety for His people, which should prompt us to worship Him with joy and gladness in our hearts.
Further Reading: Psalm 46
Photo by Tyssul Patel on Unsplash
