100919 god is our refuge

Where you go when there’s nowhere else to go

Levitical Cities• Levi’s

inheritance• No tribal

allotment• 48 cities

distributed• 6 cities of

refuge• Escape

vengeance

Cities of RefugeKedeshSheche

m Hebron Bezer

Ramoth Golan

Not for hardened criminals, habitual murderers, career

culprits/conspirators of evil

Provided by God as a safe haven for those who accidentally or inadvertently killed another,

and were in danger of death at the hands of the

slain person’s next of kin.

Ease of access for

everyone in need

Never more than one day

away

“Our sufficiency is from God” 2 Cor. 3:5

“My grace is sufficient for you” 2 Cor. 12:9

Holy… Just as He who

called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am

holy.” 1 Peter 1:14-16 NIV

ShoulderIt was our

weaknesses He carried (shouldered);

it was our sorrows that weighed Him

down. Isaiah 53:4-5 NLT

FellowshipFaithful is the God by

whom you were called into fellowship

with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. 1

Corinthians 1:9 ISV

StrongholdThe LORD is my rock, my fortress

and my deliverer … He is my shield and

the horn of my salvation, my

stronghold. Psalm 18:1-3

Exaltation… God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the

name that is above every name …

Philippians 2:9-11 NIV

Joy… I bring you good news of a great joy … for today … there has been born for

you a Savior, who is Christ the Lord. Lk

2:10-11

One was safe only while remaining within the walls of the city of refuge

Hebrews 6:16-20 ESV For people swear by something greater than themselves, and in all their disputes an oath is final for confirmation.

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.