The Lord tells Moses, in Deuteronomy 32.35 (ESV) Vengeance is mine, revealing that He is the One who will truly deal out justice on those who have wronged His people.
Only the Lord who can dispense perfect justice and righteousness.
Anytime we take vengeance out of the Lord’s hands into ours, our sense of justice will always be flawed and jaded toward our own desires.

In the midst of a world that is constantly seeking vengeance or mercy, we see that both God’s justice and mercy are meted out at the cross.
And this morning, we are going to see a picture of that in these cities of refuge and discover the refuge that Christ offers us today.

Chapter 20 falls right after the final allotment of the remaining tribes and Joshua’s own allotment.
Just as the allotments of the land were the fulfillment of the promise to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Moses, the cities of refuge are also part of that fulfillment as well.

These cities of refuge are meant to be a haven to protect those who kill unintentionally.
Back in Deuteronomy 4.41-43, as part of the settlement of the eastern tribes, Moses set apart three cities for this purpose.
The reason why they are needed was that the “avenger of blood” might slay the manslayer before the facts of the case could be revealed and dealt with properly.
The basis for these cities is found in Genesis 9.

The rules for these cities are found only here in Joshua.

These cities reflect the Lord’s commitment to both justice and mercy both the lives of the manslayer and the victim.
As commentator Trent C. Butler wrote, the city is “at the same time refuge and prison.”

And this all might sound a lot like just simple formality, but there is a larger picture of what God is showing us through all of this.
The reality of the need for the cities of refuge points to our own need for refuge in Christ.

We need refuge in Christ because of: The Seriousness of Our _________

But we don’t understand the seriousness of our sin because we don’t understand: The Splendor of the _____________________

Like the manslayer, our sin has resulted in the sentence of the penalty of death upon us
But like the cities of refuge, the hope we have is in: The Substitutionary Sacrifice of the ______________________

Prayer for Today
Oh when will I be free from indwelling sin? Lord deliver me from this body of death!
Deal with me as it pleases you, Lord. You may justly take everything from me, for I have abused your lovingkindness. God be merciful to me, a sinner.
What am I, that I should be fed daily with heavenly manna? Lord, you fill my soul. Let me praise you with joyful lips.
I adore your infinite goodness that reaches down to me. Do not leave me to myself, but purge me for your mercy’s sake, that I may bring forth more fruit. Correct me when I go astray, and lead me in your perfect way.
Dearest Lord, for your mercy’s sake never let me distrust you again! Oh me of little faith.
Lord, your judgments are like the great deep. Your footsteps are not known. Just and holy are you, O King of saints!
In the season of night, let me arise and give you thanks. Let my speech be of your lovingkindness and tender mercies, all day long.
May it be my sleep, my food and drink, to do the will of my Heavenly Father.
You who holds the wind in your fists, and the waters in the palms of your hands, accept our thanks for your past mercies. Set apart our travels, and if it is best, carry us with speed to where we should go. Send me wherever and whenever it seems good to your divine majesty.
Raise my heart and make your power known in the hearts of your people. Add daily to your church those who will be saved. They are noted in your book; let them also be written on my heart.
And now let your servants depart in peace, for our eyes have seen and our hearts have felt your salvation.
Even so come Lord Jesus, come quickly. Amen and amen.
—George Whitefield