NUMBERS 35:9–15
Then the Lord said to Moses:
“Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When you cross the Jordan into Canaan,select some towns to be your cities of refuge, to which a person who has killed someone accidentally may flee.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.
These six towns you give will be your cities of refuge.
Give three on this side of the Jordan and three in Canaan as cities of refuge.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.
I never cease to be amazed by the love of God, His wisdom and His unwavering provision for His people.In establishing the nation of Israel, the Lord commanded that cities of refuge be set apart for those who had unintentionally caused another person’s death. Before their case could be heard and judged, they were given a place of safety where they would be protected from the avenger until justice could take its proper course.
What a beautiful display of God’s character!He is loving, compassionate,just and merciful. He cared enough to ensure that such a person would not lose their life because of a tragic accident or the impulse of revenge.
Although the physical cities of refuge no longer exist, the God who established them remains the same. Today, He is still our Refuge and our Strength. In His presence we find safety . He alone vindicates the innocent , restores the broken and upholds the righteous. You can never be outside His reach. He has already thought of you and has your life in His hands. Just as He planned for our salvation before the foundation of the world, you can be assured that the Lord has thought of you long before you ever thought of Him.
Remember when He told the Israelites, “See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me.” The Lord remembered them even though their land lay in ruins. He assured them that He cared for them, that He had not forgotten them and that He would, in His perfect time, restore them.
How much more, then, you His child? Scripture is filled with beautiful reminders that the Lord is our help and refuge . May this truth remain in our hearts.
Psalm 46:1
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
Matthew 11:28-29
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
“For what nation is so great as to have their gods near them the way the Lord our God is near us whenever we pray to Him?”
Oh, how great is my God
the Lord of Hosts!
How endless is His love,
and His tender care
for a people,
for a person like me.
He is my Refuge;
to Him I will run,
to Him I will rest,
for nowhere else
is such mercy found.