20:8 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 {d} tribe of Manasseh.(d) Out of the half tribe of Manasseh beyond the Jordan. read more
JUSTICE FOR THE GUILTY REFUSED BY BENJAMIN (vv. 1-13) All the tribes were united in their insistence that judgment must be carried out against those who were guilty of criminal abuse and murder.They did not have the same zeal for God's glory in judging the idolatry of Dan. In fact, Dan was included in the stand against this moral wickedness. Dan wanted to cast out the speck in his brother's eye while ignoring the plank in this own eye! (Matthew 7:4) These tribes gathered at Mizpah (vv.1-2),... read more
SPECIAL CITIES ; ALTAR OF WITNESS THE CITIES OF REFUGE (Joshua 20:0 ) The decree concerning the cities of refuge was considered in its place. It will be well, however, again to notice that they were not instituted to shield criminals but innocent murderers. Whether innocent or guilty though, the murdered had an asylum until his case could be heard by the authorities (Joshua 20:6 ). If innocent he was permitted to remain in the city, immune from the legal avenger, until the death of the... read more
After Rest Joshua 20-24 THE twentieth chapter deals with the Cities of Refuge. A very beautiful expression is that "City of Refuge." Very suggestive, too. But there is a great black shadow in the middle of it: for why should men want refuge? The term is noble in itself, but what is it in its suggestion? Surely it means that there is a pursuing storm. We have heard travellers say that by making haste they will just be in time to escape the impending tempest; so they quicken their steps, and... read more
These three cities were before appointed, and are only here again mentioned. Deuteronomy 4:43 . The situation of those cities were not only favourable for the flight of the poor manslayer, but as they were over against Bethpeor, the idol of the Amorites, a place of refuge in such a spot, served to teach the Israelite, the distinguished privilege of God's people over idol nations. No Bethpeor could afford an asylum, like the city of refuge. But, Reader, when you have duly contemplated the... read more
7-9 These cities, as those also on the other side Jordan, stood so that a man might in half a day reach one of them from any part of the country. God is ever a Refuge at hand. They were all Levites' cities. It was kindness to the poor fugitive, that when he might not go up to the house of the Lord, yet he had the servants of God with him, to instruct him, and pray for him, and to help to make up the want of public ordinances. Some observe a significance in the names of these cities with... read more
The Cities of Refuge. Since the Lord had commanded, Numbers 35, that cities of refuge should be chosen in various parts of the country, this matter was next attended to. v. 1. The Lord also spake unto Joshua, saying, v. 2. Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses, Exodus 21:13; Numbers 35:6; Deuteronomy 19:2-1 Samuel :, v. 3. that the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly, without malice,... read more
4. Appointment of the Cities of RefugeJoshua 20:0a. The Command of God to JoshuaJoshua 20:1-61The Lord also [And Jehovah] spake unto Joshua, saying, Speak to the children 2[sons] of Israel, saying, Appoint out [Appoint] for you [the] cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses: 3that the slayer that killeth [smiteth] any person unawares [by mistake] and unwittingly, may flee thither and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood. 4And when he that doth flee unto one... read more
Joshua THE CITIES OF REFUGE Jos_20:1 - Jos_20:9 . Our Lord has taught us that parts of the Mosaic legislation were given because of the ‘hardness’ of the people’s hearts. The moral and religious condition of the recipients of revelation determines and is taken into account in the form and contents of revelation. That is strikingly obvious in this institution of the ‘cities of refuge.’ They have no typical meaning, though they may illustrate Christian truth. But their true significance is... read more
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Arno Gaebelein's Annotated Bible - Joshua 20:1-9
7. The Cities of Refuge CHAPTER 20 1. The ordinance repeated (Joshua 20:1-6 ) 2. The cities named (Joshua 20:7-9 ) The reader will find the meaning of the ordinance of the cities of refuge in Numbers and Deuteronomy, so that we do not need to repeat it here. But only three cities are mentioned in the Pentateuch. Here the three cities in the land are added. Kedesh was in Naphtah, Kedesh means “sanctuary,” and Naphtali means “wrestler-struggler.” Christ is the refuge for the struggling... read more