God ordained the cities of refuge under the Mosaic law, to which a man might flee who had accidentally killed someone. The city would offer him refuse from the avenger of blood.
Our Lord Jesus may be seen as the fulfillment of the type of the City of Refuge, because sinners may flee to Him for rescue from the judgment of their crimes.
All through the Old Testament, the Lord is described as the Refuge of His people, the only One they can flee to for safety from all foes.
The writer of Hebrews tells how we have fled for refuge to our great hope, our Lord Jesus. He is our refuge inside the veil, where we are seated with Him as we trust in Him for deliverance.
The poor manslayer had to run for his life to the city of refuge, with the avenger in hot pursuit. If he made it to the city, only then could he rest and catch his breath!
Our Lord Jesus promised us rest in Him! Come unto Me, He promised, and I will give you rest! As sinners, we were heavy-laden with our load of sin, struggling vainly to keep from drowning in guilt and shame, and terrified of the wrath to come.
But Jesus promises us rest if we will come to Him!
Most people don't notice it, but the city of refuge scheme imposed a punishment on the accidental manslayer. Though not guilty of willful murder, yet the manslayer had done a wrong, and his punishment was confinement in the city, away from his family, his farm, his shop, and his home. If he stepped out of the city, the avenger would kill him. The term of his custody was until the High Priest died.
But as usual, our Lord Jesus is so much better than the types He fulfilled!
In Jesus, we find, not a lessor punishment, but full acquittal! |
