In the book of Joshua, we learned how, “The LORD also spoke unto Joshua, saying, speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge” on behalf of a person who kills another person without prior malice … “and if the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver the slayer up into his hand; because he smote his neighbor unwittingly, and hated him not beforetime. And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgment, and until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days: then shall the slayer return, and come unto his own city, and unto his own house, unto the city from where he fled”, and in chapter twenty and verse seven of Joshua we learn how, “they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali” where we read,
And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim,
and Kirjatharba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of Judah.
The verse reads, “And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, …” Joshua or the writer began with the words, “and they appointed Kedesh” which means “and they, the people of Israel, consecrated, sanctified and dedicated Kedesh whose name means ‘holy place’ and was a city in the extreme south of Judah” “in Galilee” or “within Galilee whose name means ‘circuit or district’ and was a territory in Naphtali largely occupied by heathen; a circuit of towns around Kedesh-Naphtali, in which were situated the twenty towns given by Solomon to Hiram king of Tyre as payment for his work in conveying timber from Lebanon to Jerusalem” “in mount Naphtali” which means “within the rising above the plain or hill country called Naphtali whose name means ‘wrestling’ and was the territory assigned to the tribe of Naphtali”, “and Shechem” whose name means “back or shoulder” and was a city in Manasseh; located in a valley between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim, thirty-four miles (54 km) north of Jerusalem and seven miles (10.5 km) southeast of Samaria “in mount Ephraim” which means “within the rising above the plain or hill country named Ephraim whose name means ‘double ash-heap: I shall be doubly fruitful’”. Joshua or the writer shared how the people of Israel sanctified and dedicated “Kedesh” within the district of “Galilee” which was located in the rising above the plain known as “Naphtali” and “Shechem” in the hill country known as “Ephraim” to be cities of refuge.
The verse goes on to say, “… and Kirjatharba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of Judah.” Joshua or the writer continued with the words, “and Kirjatharba” whose name means “city of Arba” and was the “early name of the city which after the conquest was called Hebron”, “which is Hebron” or “that exists as Hebron whose name means ‘association’ and was a city in south Judah approximately twenty miles south of Jerusalem and approximately twenty miles (30 km) north of Beersheba and near where Abraham built an altar”, “in the mountains of Judah” which means “within the risings above the plain or hills belonging to Judah whose name means ‘praised’ and was the tribe that descended from Judah”. Joshua or the writer said “Kirjatharba” or “Hebron” within the hill country of “Judah” also became a city of refuge.
When we think through the words in this verse, we learn the names of three of the cities of refuge. “Kedesh, Shechem and Kirjatharba” were places that an unintentional slayer could flee for asylum. These locations of refuge were to be spread out over the land of Israel and known by everyone just in case they became necessary. God wants us to know He is always like a “city of refuge” (See Psalm 46), and we can run to Him at any time. He desires to have a personal relationship with us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead after three days. When we put our faith and trust in Him as our “Savior and Lord”, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life and put His Holy Spirit within us to guide us into all truth and to equip us to live according to that truth in a manner that is pleasing to Him and takes full advantage of the “refuge” that is found in Him. (See John 3:16; 16:13; Acts 1:8)
Next time we learn how, “they assigned Bezer in the wilderness upon the plain”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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