In Numbers 35, there are 6 cities of refuge described. God’s law requires that murderers are to be put to death. But God is so gracious, he has provided a place to go, a place of refuge. If a murderer were to g into one of these cities, he would be under the protection of the high priest of the city and could not be killed. These cities were for Israel, the stranger and the sojourner, in other words, everyone. The 6 cities were evenly spread out, so you was never far from one. But you had to go into the city, it was not enough to be near one. The gates of these cities were always open but you had to ask to enter. You had to be inside to be safe (“And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness,” Phil 3:9). These cities are a “type” of Christ Jesus. The wages of sin are death but when we are in Christ, his righteousness is imputed to us and we have life; his life. Like these cities, you had to be inside to be safe, being near wan’t enough (going to church, singing in the choir, being baptized). You had to ask to enter, no one could drag you in (It’s a choice only you can make). Death is coming for us all but we have a refuge.
