Refuge
“Place of escape; shelter”
Summary
Refuge in Scripture describes both the physical cities of refuge established for manslayers in Israel and the spiritual refuge believers find in God Himself.
☩Cities of Refuge
God commanded Moses to establish six cities of refuge—three on each side of the Jordan—where anyone who killed another unintentionally could flee from the avenger of blood. The cities were Kedesh, Shechem, and Hebron west of Jordan, and Bezer, Ramoth-gilead, and Golan east of Jordan. The manslayer remained safe in the city until the death of the high priest, when he could return home without fear of retribution. Roads to these cities were kept clear and well-marked so that the fugitive could reach safety quickly.
☩God as Refuge
Far more frequently, Scripture speaks of God Himself as the refuge of His people. The Psalms especially celebrate God as 'our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.' David repeatedly fled to God as his refuge from enemies, declaring, 'In the LORD put I my trust.' This spiritual refuge is superior to any physical shelter, being eternally secure and universally accessible to all who call upon His name.
☩Christ Our Refuge
The cities of refuge beautifully typify Christ as the sinner's refuge from the judgment due to sin. Just as the manslayer fled to the city before the avenger could overtake him, so sinners flee to Christ for salvation before judgment falls. The writer of Hebrews speaks of believers as those 'who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us.' In Christ, we find not merely temporary shelter but eternal security, for He is both our refuge and our righteousness.
Related Verses52 mentions
References
- 1.John McClintock and James Strong, "Refuge, Cities Of," in Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature, vol. VIII (Harper & Brothers, 1867–1887).
- 2.James Orr (ed.), "Refuge, Cities Of," in International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, vol. IV (Howard-Severance Company, 1915).
- 3.Andrew Robert Fausset, "Refuge, Cities of," in The Englishman's Critical and Expository Bible Cyclopædia (Hodder & Stoughton, 1878).