SAFE HAVENS

PROCLAMATION

“Speak to the children of Israel, saying, ‘Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses; That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither; and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.’ ”  Joshua 20:2-3 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These are the words of God which were revealed to and written by Joshua under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  After dividing up the promised land, The Lord God spoke to Joshua and told him to designate several cities of refuge to be safe haven for individuals who had accidentally killed a person and was seeking to flee from someone seeking revenge. (Joshua 20:1-3)  He that flees shall present himself to the elders of that city and they shall take him in and give him a place to stay and dwell among them.  If someone pursues him, the elders will not turn him over to them because what he did was accidental. (Joshua 20:4-6)  There six such cities of refuge designated for the children of Israel. (Jordan 20:7-9)

 

APPLICATIONS                                                                          

There are no such cities of refuge for us today.  The closest thing we have to a save haven is under the protective wings of our Lord and Savior. (Psalm 17:8, 36:7, and 91:4)  He offers us protection from all that would do us harm for whatever reason they might have.  That which He does not keep from us, He will go with us through whatever it is and protects us.  We are never alone (Hebrews 13:5) for He is always with us. (Matthew 28:20)  He can calm the storm or just keep us safe through the storm. (Mark 4:37-41)