College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
Joshua 20 - Introduction
A DIGEST OF CHAPTER 20
God's instructions to Joshua. Joshua walked humbly in the sight of God. He waited for instructions from his Heavenly Guide before he proceeded to lead the children of Israel in the direction they should travel. When Joshua was selected to succeed Moses, God told Moses that Joshua should stand before Eleazar, the priest, who would ask counsel for him before the Lord (Numbers 27:21). No doubt, Joshua and Eleazar worked together in this; but it was Joshua who took the initiative.
The appointment of the cities of refuge. God had spoken unto Moses while the children of Israel were in the plains of Moab, across the Jordan River from Jericho, and commanded him to select three cities to serve as cities of refuge. Six cities in all were to be appointed, but Moses was to select three cities on the east side of the Jordan. At that time, God defined the difference between murder and manslaughter and laid down the rules and regulations for the protection of those who might be falsely accused of murder (Numbers 35). Moses had selected three citiesBezer, Ramoth-Gilead, and Golan. When the tribes were settled under Joshua, three more cities were to be selected; and the three which Moses appointed were to be recognized.
LESSONS FOR LEARNING
1.
Thy will be done. Every Christian should learn to pray as Jesus taught His disciples in the Model Prayer. We should learn to say, Thy will be done, We should learn to pray even more meaningfully as Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsemane. There He prayed, not as I will, but as thou wilt (Matthew 26:39). Joshua walked with the Lord. God commanded him, and Joshua did the Lord's bidding. His delight was in the law of the Lord. His meat was to do the will of God.
2.
A city of refuge. Although there is no Biblical reference to the cities of refuge being a type of Christ, the Christian cannot read this arrangement for protection of the innocent without thinking of how he is able to flee to Jesus for refuge. In a sense, he finds this same refuge in the church. Although evil was not to go unpunished, God was careful that the innocent did not suffer unjustly. In the Old Testament, as well as in the New Testament, God's justice is tempered with mercy. He has made gracious provision for the salvation of those who flee to Jesus Christ for refuge.
3.
Life is sacred. Throughout the history of mankind God has made it clear that a murderer should not go unpunished. God stated an everlasting principle when He told those coming out of the ark after the flood that whosoever shed man's blood by man should his blood be shed (Genesis 9:5). The arrangements made in Joshua 20 followed the prescriptions laid down in Numbers 35. These prescriptions called for the slaying of the murderer, but they also provided for the protection of those who were innocent of guilt.
TEN QUESTIONS ON CHAPTER 20
1.
Who selected the cities of refuge east of the Jordan?
2.
Who selected the cities of refuge west of the Jordan?
3.
How long was a fugitive to live in the city of refuge?
4.
What city of refuge was within the borders of the tribe of Naphtali?
5.
What city of refuge was within the borders of the tribe of Ephraim?
6.
What city of refuge was within the borders of the tribe of Judah?
7.
What city of refuge was within the borders of the tribe of Reuben?
8.
What city of refuge was within the borders of the tribe of Gad?
9.
What city of refuge was within the borders of the tribe of Manasseh?
10.
Were only native-born Israelites protected by these provisions?