Chapter 35

The Cities of Refuge

1. CITIES FOR THE LEVITES (Numbers 35:1-8 [1] And the LORD spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying, [2] Command the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in; and ye shall give also unto the Levites suburbs for the cities round about them. [3] And the cities shall they have to dwell in; and the suburbs of them shall be for their cattle, and for their goods, and for all their beasts. [4] And the suburbs of the cities, which ye shall give unto the Levites, shall reach from the wall of the city and outward a thousand cubits round about. [5] And ye shall measure from without the city on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits; and the city shall be in the midst: this shall be to them the suburbs of the cities. [6] And among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites there shall be six cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint for the manslayer, that he may flee thither: and to them ye shall add forty and two cities. [7] So all the cities which ye shall give to the Levites shall be forty and eight cities: them shall ye give with their suburbs. [8] And the cities which ye shall give shall be of the possession of the children of Israel: from them that have many ye shall give many; but from them that have few ye shall give few: every one shall give of his cities unto the Levites according to his inheritance which he inheriteth.
   See All...)
1. The Instructions for Cities for the Levites (Numbers 35:1-2 [1] And the LORD spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying, [2] Command the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in; and ye shall give also unto the Levites suburbs for the cities round about them.
   See All...)
1. Set forth by God (Numbers 35:1And the LORD spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying,
   See All...)
2. Given by the children of Israel (Numbers 35:2Command the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in; and ye shall give also unto the Levites suburbs for the cities round about them.
   See All...)
2. The Breakdown of Their Cities (Numbers 35:3-5 [3] And the cities shall they have to dwell in; and the suburbs of them shall be for their cattle, and for their goods, and for all their beasts. [4] And the suburbs of the cities, which ye shall give unto the Levites, shall reach from the wall of the city and outward a thousand cubits round about. [5] And ye shall measure from without the city on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits; and the city shall be in the midst: this shall be to them the suburbs of the cities.
   See All...)
1. The breakdown of their gift (Numbers 35:3And the cities shall they have to dwell in; and the suburbs of them shall be for their cattle, and for their goods, and for all their beasts.
   See All...)
1. Cities to dwell in
2. Suburbs for their cattle, their goods and their beasts
2. The size of the suburbs (Numbers 35:4-5 [4] And the suburbs of the cities, which ye shall give unto the Levites, shall reach from the wall of the city and outward a thousand cubits round about. [5] And ye shall measure from without the city on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits; and the city shall be in the midst: this shall be to them the suburbs of the cities.
   See All...)
1. From the wall of the city a thousand cubits round about (Numbers 35:4And the suburbs of the cities, which ye shall give unto the Levites, shall reach from the wall of the city and outward a thousand cubits round about.
   See All...)
2. From without the city two thousand cubits each direction (Numbers 35:5And ye shall measure from without the city on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits; and the city shall be in the midst: this shall be to them the suburbs of the cities.
   See All...)
3. The easiest explanation is that the two measurements should be added together to make a total of 3,000 cubits or almost one mile.  The first thousand cubits could have been for buildings, pens, etc., while the last 2,000 cubits could have been used for grazing.
3. The city shall be in the midst of the suburb (Numbers 35:5And ye shall measure from without the city on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits; and the city shall be in the midst: this shall be to them the suburbs of the cities.
   See All...).
3. The Number of Cities for the Levites (Numbers 35:6-8 [6] And among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites there shall be six cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint for the manslayer, that he may flee thither: and to them ye shall add forty and two cities. [7] So all the cities which ye shall give to the Levites shall be forty and eight cities: them shall ye give with their suburbs. [8] And the cities which ye shall give shall be of the possession of the children of Israel: from them that have many ye shall give many; but from them that have few ye shall give few: every one shall give of his cities unto the Levites according to his inheritance which he inheriteth.
   See All...)
1. Six cities for refuge (Numbers 35:6And among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites there shall be six cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint for the manslayer, that he may flee thither: and to them ye shall add forty and two cities.
   See All...)
2. Plus forty-two cities (Numbers 35:6And among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites there shall be six cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint for the manslayer, that he may flee thither: and to them ye shall add forty and two cities.
   See All...)
3. A total of forty-eight cities (Numbers 35:7So all the cities which ye shall give to the Levites shall be forty and eight cities: them shall ye give with their suburbs.
   See All...)
4. Given by Israel according to what they have (Numbers 35:8And the cities which ye shall give shall be of the possession of the children of Israel: from them that have many ye shall give many; but from them that have few ye shall give few: every one shall give of his cities unto the Levites according to his inheritance which he inheriteth.
   See All...)
2. INTRODUCTION OF THE CITIES OF REFUGE (Numbers 35:9-14 [9] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, [10] Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come over Jordan into the land of Canaan; [11] Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares. [12] And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment. [13] And of these cities which ye shall give six cities shall ye have for refuge. [14] Ye shall give three cities on this side Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan, which shall be cities of refuge.
   See All...)
1. When Ye Be Come over Jordan (Numbers 35:9-10 [9] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, [10] Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come over Jordan into the land of Canaan;
   See All...)
2. The Appointing of Cities of Refuge (Numbers 35:11-12 [11] Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares. [12] And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment.
   See All...)
1. A place for a man to flee when he kills someone accidentally (Numbers 35:11Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares.
   See All...)
2. They are a place of refuge from an avenger of blood (Numbers 35:12And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment.
   See All...).
3. They are a place where the slayer can present his case before the congregation (Numbers 35:12And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment.
   See All...).
3. The Location of the Cities of Refuge (Numbers 35:13-14 [13] And of these cities which ye shall give six cities shall ye have for refuge. [14] Ye shall give three cities on this side Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan, which shall be cities of refuge.
   See All...)
1. Six cities available for refuge for Israel (Numbers 35:13And of these cities which ye shall give six cities shall ye have for refuge.
   See All...)
2. Three cities on the east side of Jordan (Numbers 35:14Ye shall give three cities on this side Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan, which shall be cities of refuge.
   See All...)
3. Three cities on the west side of Jordan (Numbers 35:14Ye shall give three cities on this side Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan, which shall be cities of refuge.
   See All...)
3. THE PURPOSE OF THE CITIES OF REFUGE (Numbers 35:15-25 [15] These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither. [16] And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. [17] And if he smite him with throwing a stone, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. [18] Or if he smite him with an hand weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. [19] The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him. [20] But if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die; [21] Or in enmity smite him with his hand, that he die: he that smote him shall surely be put to death; for he is a murderer: the revenger of blood shall slay the murderer, when he meeteth him. [22] But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or have cast upon him any thing without laying of wait, [23] Or with any stone, wherewith a man may die, seeing him not, and cast it upon him, that he die, and was not his enemy, neither sought his harm: [24] Then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the revenger of blood according to these judgments: [25] And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil.
   See All...)
1. The Availability of the Cities of Refuge (Numbers 35:15These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither.
   See All...)
1. For the children of Israel
2. For the stranger
3. For the sojourner
4. For those who kill someone accidentally
2. Not a Protection for the Murderer (Numbers 35:16-21 [16] And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. [17] And if he smite him with throwing a stone, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. [18] Or if he smite him with an hand weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. [19] The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him. [20] But if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die; [21] Or in enmity smite him with his hand, that he die: he that smote him shall surely be put to death; for he is a murderer: the revenger of blood shall slay the murderer, when he meeteth him.
   See All...)
1. Scenario 1 (Numbers 35:16And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.
   See All...)
1. A man smote another man with an instrument of iron.
2. He did this with the intention of killing the man.
3. He is a murderer.
4. He shall be put to death.
2. Scenario 2 (Numbers 35:17And if he smite him with throwing a stone, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death.
   See All...)
1. A man smote another man by throwing a stone at him.
2. He did this knowing that the man could die.
3. He is a murderer.
4. He shall be put to death.
3. Scenario 3 (Numbers 35:18-19 [18] Or if he smite him with an hand weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. [19] The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him.
   See All...)
1. A man smote another man with a hand weapon of wood.
2. He did this knowing that the man could die.
3. He is a murderer.
4. He shall be put to death.
4. Scenario 4 (Numbers 35:20But if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die;
   See All...)
1. A man thrusts another man or hurls at him by lying of wait out of anger.
2. He did this with the intention of killing the man.
5. Scenario 5 (Numbers 35:21Or in enmity smite him with his hand, that he die: he that smote him shall surely be put to death; for he is a murderer: the revenger of blood shall slay the murderer, when he meeteth him.
   See All...)
1. A man smites another man with his hand out of enmity.
2. He did this with the intention of killing the man.
3. The revenger of blood shall slay him.
3. A Protection for the Manslayer (Numbers 35:22-25 [22] But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or have cast upon him any thing without laying of wait, [23] Or with any stone, wherewith a man may die, seeing him not, and cast it upon him, that he die, and was not his enemy, neither sought his harm: [24] Then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the revenger of blood according to these judgments: [25] And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil.
   See All...)
1. Scenarios (Numbers 35:22-23 [22] But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or have cast upon him any thing without laying of wait, [23] Or with any stone, wherewith a man may die, seeing him not, and cast it upon him, that he die, and was not his enemy, neither sought his harm:
   See All...)
1. A man thrusts another man suddenly without enmity (Numbers 35:22But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or have cast upon him any thing without laying of wait,
   See All...).
2. A man thrusts or casts something upon another man without lying in wait (Numbers 35:22But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or have cast upon him any thing without laying of wait,
   See All...).
3. A man casts a stone upon another man (Numbers 35:23Or with any stone, wherewith a man may die, seeing him not, and cast it upon him, that he die, and was not his enemy, neither sought his harm:
   See All...).
1. He did not see him.
2. The man was not his enemy previously.
3. He was not seeking to harm the man.
2. The safety offered (Numbers 35:24Then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the revenger of blood according to these judgments:
   See All...)
1. The congregation shall judge between the slayer and the revenger of blood (Numbers 35:24Then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the revenger of blood according to these judgments:
   See All...).
2. The congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood (Numbers 35:25And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil.
   See All...).
4. THE PROTECTION OF THE CITIES OF REFUGE (Numbers 35:25-28 [25] And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil. [26] But if the slayer shall at any time come without the border of the city of his refuge, whither he was fled; [27] And the revenger of blood find him without the borders of the city of his refuge, and the revenger of blood kill the slayer; he shall not be guilty of blood: [28] Because he should have remained in the city of his refuge until the death of the high priest: but after the death of the high priest the slayer shall return into the land of his possession.
   See All...)
1. The Protection Upheld (Numbers 35:25And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil.
   See All...)
1. The slayer will be placed in the city of refuge (Numbers 35:25And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil.
   See All...).
2. The slayer will abide in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest (Numbers 35:25And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil.
   See All...).
2. The Protection Rejected (Numbers 35:26-28 [26] But if the slayer shall at any time come without the border of the city of his refuge, whither he was fled; [27] And the revenger of blood find him without the borders of the city of his refuge, and the revenger of blood kill the slayer; he shall not be guilty of blood: [28] Because he should have remained in the city of his refuge until the death of the high priest: but after the death of the high priest the slayer shall return into the land of his possession.
   See All...)
1. The departure of the slayer (Numbers 35:26But if the slayer shall at any time come without the border of the city of his refuge, whither he was fled;
   See All...)
2. The revenger of blood (Numbers 35:27And the revenger of blood find him without the borders of the city of his refuge, and the revenger of blood kill the slayer; he shall not be guilty of blood:
   See All...)
1. Finds the slayer outside of the borders of the city of refuge
2. The revenger of blood kills the slayer.
3. The revenger of blood is not guilty of blood.
3. The disobedience of the slayer (Numbers 35:28Because he should have remained in the city of his refuge until the death of the high priest: but after the death of the high priest the slayer shall return into the land of his possession.
   See All...)
5. PROTECTION OF THE LAND (Numbers 35:29-34 [29] So these things shall be for a statute of judgment unto you throughout your generations in all your dwellings. [30] Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die. [31] Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death. [32] And ye shall take no satisfaction for him that is fled to the city of his refuge, that he should come again to dwell in the land, until the death of the priest. [33] So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it. [34] Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit, wherein I dwell: for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel.
   See All...)
1. The Nature of These Statutes (Numbers 35:29So these things shall be for a statute of judgment unto you throughout your generations in all your dwellings.
   See All...)
1. Throughout your generations
2. Throughout your dwellings
2. The Proper Response to Blood Shed (Numbers 35:30-32 [30] Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die. [31] Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death. [32] And ye shall take no satisfaction for him that is fled to the city of his refuge, that he should come again to dwell in the land, until the death of the priest.
   See All...)
1. The need for evidence (Numbers 35:30Whoso killeth any person, the murderer shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses: but one witness shall not testify against any person to cause him to die.
   See All...)
1. The man shall be put to death by the mouth of witnesses.
2. One witness shall not testify against a person that he die.
2. The absence of satisfaction (Numbers 35:31-32 [31] Moreover ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death. [32] And ye shall take no satisfaction for him that is fled to the city of his refuge, that he should come again to dwell in the land, until the death of the priest.
   See All...)
3. The Danger of Blood Shed (Numbers 35:33-34 [33] So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it. [34] Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit, wherein I dwell: for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel.
   See All...)
1. Blood defiles the land (Numbers 35:33So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it.
   See All...).
1. When a murderer was allowed to go free, the unrevenged blood that he shed defiled the land.
2. Even in the case of unsolved murders, a sacrifice was to be made for the land (Deuteronomy 21:1-9 [1] If one be found slain in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it, lying in the field, and it be not known who hath slain him: [2] Then thy elders and thy judges shall come forth, and they shall measure unto the cities which are round about him that is slain: [3] And it shall be, that the city which is next unto the slain man, even the elders of that city shall take an heifer, which hath not been wrought with, and which hath not drawn in the yoke; [4] And the elders of that city shall bring down the heifer unto a rough valley, which is neither eared nor sown, and shall strike off the heifer's neck there in the valley: [5] And the priests the sons of Levi shall come near; for them the LORD thy God hath chosen to minister unto him, and to bless in the name of the LORD; and by their word shall every controversy and every stroke be tried: [6] And all the elders of that city, that are next unto the slain man, shall wash their hands over the heifer that is beheaded in the valley: [7] And they shall answer and say, Our hands have not shed this blood, neither have our eyes seen it. [8] Be merciful, O LORD, unto thy people Israel, whom thou hast redeemed, and lay not innocent blood unto thy people of Israel's charge. And the blood shall be forgiven them. [9] So shalt thou put away the guilt of innocent blood from among you, when thou shalt do that which is right in the sight of the LORD.
   See All...).
3. This defilement of the land eventually led to its destruction by the judgment of God (see Leviticus 18:25And the land is defiled: therefore I do visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land itself vomiteth out her inhabitants.
   See All...; Deuteronomy 19:10That innocent blood be not shed in thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance, and so blood be upon thee.
   See All...; 2 Kings 24:4And also for the innocent blood that he shed: for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood; which the LORD would not pardon.
   See All...; Psalm 106:38And shed innocent blood, even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan: and the land was polluted with blood.
   See All...; Ezekiel 22:3-4 [3] Then say thou, Thus saith the Lord GOD, The city sheddeth blood in the midst of it, that her time may come, and maketh idols against herself to defile herself. [4] Thou art become guilty in thy blood that thou hast shed; and hast defiled thyself in thine idols which thou hast made; and thou hast caused thy days to draw near, and art come even unto thy years: therefore have I made thee a reproach unto the heathen, and a mocking to all countries.
   See All...).
2. The land must be cleansed (Numbers 35:33So ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it.
   See All...).
3. The Lord dwells in the land (Numbers 35:34Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit, wherein I dwell: for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel.
   See All...).
6. THE TYPOLOGY CONSIDERED
1. The City of Refuge
1. The cities of refuge as a type of Christ
1. The cities of refuge were divinely appointed (Numbers 35:1-2 [1] And the LORD spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying, [2] Command the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in; and ye shall give also unto the Levites suburbs for the cities round about them.
   See All...; Matthew 21:33-44 [33] Hear another parable: There was a certain householder, which planted a vineyard, and hedged it round about, and digged a winepress in it, and built a tower, and let it out to husbandmen, and went into a far country: [34] And when the time of the fruit drew near, he sent his servants to the husbandmen, that they might receive the fruits of it. [35] And the husbandmen took his servants, and beat one, and killed another, and stoned another. [36] Again, he sent other servants more than the first: and they did unto them likewise. [37] But last of all he sent unto them his son, saying, They will reverence my son. [38] But when the husbandmen saw the son, they said among themselves, This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and let us seize on his inheritance. [39] And they caught him, and cast him out of the vineyard, and slew him. [40] When the lord therefore of the vineyard cometh, what will he do unto those husbandmen? [41] They say unto him, He will miserably destroy those wicked men, and will let out his vineyard unto other husbandmen, which shall render him the fruits in their seasons. [42] Jesus saith unto them, Did ye never read in the scriptures, The stone which the builders rejected, the same is become the head of the corner: this is the Lord's doing, and it is marvellous in our eyes? [43] Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof. [44] And whosoever shall fall on this stone shall be broken: but on whomsoever it shall fall, it will grind him to powder.
   See All...; Acts 2:22-36 [22] Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: [23] Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: [24] Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it. [25] For David speaketh concerning him, I foresaw the Lord always before my face, for he is on my right hand, that I should not be moved: [26] Therefore did my heart rejoice, and my tongue was glad; moreover also my flesh shall rest in hope: [27] Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine Holy One to see corruption. [28] Thou hast made known to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance. [29] Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. [30] Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; [31] He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. [32] This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. [33] Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. [34] For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, [35] Until I make thy foes thy footstool. [36] Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.
   See All...; Acts 3:22-23 [22] For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. [23] And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people.
   See All...).
2. The cities of refuge were gradually revealed.
1. Vaguely began in Exodus 21:12-13 [12] He that smiteth a man, so that he die, shall be surely put to death. [13] And if a man lie not in wait, but God deliver him into his hand; then I will appoint thee a place whither he shall flee.
   See All...
2. Then it is mentioned as being six cities to be appointed in Numbers 35.
3. Then the first three are named in Deuteronomy 4:43Namely, Bezer in the wilderness, in the plain country, of the Reubenites; and Ramoth in Gilead, of the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan, of the Manassites.
   See All....
4. Then all six are named in Joshua 20:7-8 [7] And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjatharba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of Judah. [8] And on the other side Jordan by Jericho eastward, they assigned Bezer in the wilderness upon the plain out of the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead out of the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan out of the tribe of Manasseh.
   See All....
3. The way to the cities of refuge was clearly revealed (Deuteronomy 19:3Thou shalt prepare thee a way, and divide the coasts of thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee to inherit, into three parts, that every slayer may flee thither.
   See All...; Joshua 20:7-9 [7] And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjatharba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of Judah. [8] And on the other side Jordan by Jericho eastward, they assigned Bezer in the wilderness upon the plain out of the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead out of the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan out of the tribe of Manasseh. [9] These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them, that whosoever killeth any person at unawares might flee thither, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stood before the congregation.
   See All...; John 1:29The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.
   See All...; John 10:9I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
   See All...; John 14:6Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.
   See All...; Acts 4:12Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.
   See All...).
4. The cities of refuge were accessible to All (Numbers 35:15These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither.
   See All...; 2 Peter 3:9The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.
   See All...).
5. The cities of refuge were to be entered without delay (Numbers 35:6And among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites there shall be six cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint for the manslayer, that he may flee thither: and to them ye shall add forty and two cities.
   See All...; 2 Corinthians 6:1-2 [1] We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. [2] (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
   See All...).
6. The cities of refuge were the only hope for life (Numbers 35:12And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment.
   See All..., Numbers 35:24-28 [24] Then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the revenger of blood according to these judgments: [25] And the congregation shall deliver the slayer out of the hand of the revenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to the city of his refuge, whither he was fled: and he shall abide in it unto the death of the high priest, which was anointed with the holy oil. [26] But if the slayer shall at any time come without the border of the city of his refuge, whither he was fled; [27] And the revenger of blood find him without the borders of the city of his refuge, and the revenger of blood kill the slayer; he shall not be guilty of blood: [28] Because he should have remained in the city of his refuge until the death of the high priest: but after the death of the high priest the slayer shall return into the land of his possession.
   See All...; John 3:17-19 [17] For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. [18] He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. [19] And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil.
   See All..., 36; 1 Thessalonians 1:10And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
   See All...).
2. The cities of refuge as an antitype of Christ
1. Christ is a refuge for the guilty instead of the innocent (Luke 5:32I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
   See All...).
2. We are not admitted into Christ until we admit guilt, then we are accepted in Him based on His innocence.
3. Once a man is in Christ, he cannot depart.
2. The Slayer
1. The slayer is a type of the nation of Israel.
1. They killed the Christ not knowing what they did (Numbers 35:11Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares.
   See All..., 15; Luke 23:34Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.
   See All...; Acts 3:17And now, brethren, I wot that through ignorance ye did it, as did also your rulers.
   See All...).
2. A distinction was made between the slayer unawares and the guilty murderer (Numbers 35:15-24 [15] These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither. [16] And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. [17] And if he smite him with throwing a stone, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. [18] Or if he smite him with an hand weapon of wood, wherewith he may die, and he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death. [19] The revenger of blood himself shall slay the murderer: when he meeteth him, he shall slay him. [20] But if he thrust him of hatred, or hurl at him by laying of wait, that he die; [21] Or in enmity smite him with his hand, that he die: he that smote him shall surely be put to death; for he is a murderer: the revenger of blood shall slay the murderer, when he meeteth him. [22] But if he thrust him suddenly without enmity, or have cast upon him any thing without laying of wait, [23] Or with any stone, wherewith a man may die, seeing him not, and cast it upon him, that he die, and was not his enemy, neither sought his harm: [24] Then the congregation shall judge between the slayer and the revenger of blood according to these judgments:
   See All...; Romans 9:6-8 [6] Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: [7] Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. [8] That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed.
   See All...).
2. Difficulties in saying that the saved are the slayer
1. The slayer was innocent, but we are not.
2. The slayer was allowed to go in and out of the city of refuge at his risk, yet we are placed into Christ once and then we are sealed there.
3. We did not have to run to the city of refuge, the city of refuge came to us.  This is seen in the difference of grace in the Old and New Testament.
1. There are 28 references to grace being “found” in the Old Testament compared to 1 reference in the New Testament.
2. There are 14 New Testament references to grace being “given” compared to only two Old Testament references to grace being “given” (Psalm 84:11For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.
   See All...; Proverbs 3:34Surely he scorneth the scorners: but he giveth grace unto the lowly.
   See All...).
3. The Murderer
1. The murderer is a type of the Devil himself (John 8:44Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.
   See All...).
2. Just like Israel, Lucifer had fellowship with God, yet he knew what he was doing when he tried to exalt his throne above the most High God (Isaiah 14:12-15 [12] How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations! [13] For thou hast said in thine heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God: I will sit also upon the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north: [14] I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will be like the most High. [15] Yet thou shalt be brought down to hell, to the sides of the pit.
   See All...).
3. There is no refuge for the Devil and he will face his final destruction in Revelation 20:10And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.
   See All....