Deuteronomy 4:41-49: a reflection

41Then Moses set apart three cities beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise, 42that the man slayer might flee there, who kills his neighbor unintentionally and didn’t hate him in time past, and that fleeing to one of these cities he might live: 43Bezer in the wilderness, in the plain country, for the Reubenites; and Ramoth in Gilead for the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan for the Manassites. 44This is the law which Moses set before the children of Israel. 45These are the testimonies, and the statutes, and the ordinances which Moses spoke to the children of Israel when they came out of Egypt, 46beyond the Jordan, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, in the land of Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived at Heshbon, whom Moses and the children of Israel struck when they came out of Egypt. 47They took possession of his land and the land of Og king of Bashan, the two kings of the Amorites, who were beyond the Jordan toward the sunrise; 48from Aroer, which is on the edge of the valley of the Arnon, even to Mount Siyon (also called Hermon), 49and all the Arabah beyond the Jordan eastward, even to the sea of the Arabah, under the slopes of Pisgah.

Moses sets apart cities of refuge, places to which a person who had killed another unintentionally could flee for safety. In a time when the avenger of blood might pursue such a person, God provided these cities of refuge, a place to run to for safety, where the one who had done wrong without intending it could be protected. God, in his mercy, provided a refuge, a place of safety for the one who fled to it.

Notice God's provision of a refuge, a place of safety to flee to. The cities of refuge were God's merciful provision: a place the endangered could run to, where they would be safe, protected from the avenger. God did not leave the one who fled without recourse; he provided a refuge, a place of safety, to which they could flee and be protected. The refuge was God's mercy, a provided place of safety for the one who ran to it.

That provision of a city of refuge points forward to a greater refuge God provides. We too are in danger, pursued by the just consequences of our sin, needing a place of safety to flee to. And God has provided a refuge greater than any city: Christ, to whom we may flee for safety from the judgment we deserve. As the endangered fled to the city of refuge and were safe, so we may flee to Christ, our refuge, and be safe from the judgment that pursues us. When you are aware of the judgment your sin deserves, do not stay exposed, without recourse; flee to the refuge God has provided, Christ, in whom you are safe. The cities of refuge were a picture of the refuge God gives in Christ; flee to him, as the endangered fled to the city, and find in him the safety from judgment that God has provided. Christ is your refuge, the place of safety to which you may flee; run to him, and be safe, as the one in danger ran to the city of refuge and was protected.

Lord, Moses set apart cities of refuge, places to which one who had killed another unintentionally could flee for safety from the avenger; in your mercy you provided a refuge, a place of safety for the one who fled to it. Show me your provision of a refuge, a place of safety to flee to. You did not leave the endangered without recourse; you provided a refuge, a place of safety. And let that point me forward to a greater refuge you provide. I too am in danger, pursued by the just consequences of my sin, needing a place of safety to flee to. And you have provided a refuge greater than any city: Christ, to whom I may flee for safety from the judgment I deserve. As the endangered fled to the city of refuge and were safe, so I may flee to Christ, my refuge, and be safe from the judgment that pursues me. When I am aware of the judgment my sin deserves, keep me from staying exposed, without recourse; help me flee to the refuge you have provided, Christ, in whom I am safe. The cities of refuge were a picture of the refuge you give in Christ; help me flee to him, Lord, and find in him the safety from judgment you have provided. Christ is my refuge; help me run to him and be safe.