The Pulpit Commentary — Joshua — Section 351

TJOX OFFERED IN THE GOSPEL. That the ordina1rnes of the Ismelites we;·c i fignre for the time to come, is in many places of the New Testnment expressly affirmed (see 1 Cor. x. 6. 11; Heb. ix. 9; x. 1). And with great likelihood the words of Heh. xi. 1S haYe been supposed to refer to the very institution now nuder discussion. (l) Easin,.ss of a<'crss. The cities were so selected as to be sc:ittered throughout the land at equn,l distance,, no part of the country being remote from one of tliese centres. And ,T esus Christ is nigh unto every one of us, n very present help in trouble. It need not take even half a day to reach Him, the heart umy be sm·- reudered to Him at once and find rest. (2) The way 1·eadily known. 'fhe roa,l to tile nearest city of refuge was plainly indicated by the words "Refuge I Refuge I•: ·writt.en at each tuming, and the way was always kept clear of obstacles (see Deut. xix. 3\. " He that ruuneth can read" and nndel"Staud the plan of salvation. R~demption freely <?ffered in Christ, who died for sinners. Prophets and apostles pomt to H=, saymg, "Behold the Lamb of God." (3) Availa.ble for every inliabita.nt. Equally for the stranger or sojourner and one born in the land (ver. !l). God is no respecter of persons. He gave His Son, that " wliosoever believeth in Him should not perish." "WhosoeYer, will let him take the water of life freely." \41 The ga.tes alwa.ys open. We learn this from l\faimonides, ns also tliat the rulers of the city furnished the refugee with shelter and food so long as he remained with them. Jesus " eyer liYeth to make intercession for those whc;> come unto God by Him." ~o sinner need fear lest the door of mercy should be shut against him. There are no specially appointed days for obtaining relief. It is always, "now is the accepted time." God will not allow one of His little ones to perish. "Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all other things shall be added unto you." Several other particulars might be mentioned, such as that even the suburbs of the city were a refuge (Nu.m. xxxv. 26, 27), like as to touch the hem of Christ's garment heals the sick; and the cities saved by virtue of God's appointment, not so much by reason of their natural strength, even as God hath set forth Christ to be a propitiation through faith in His blood. But let us note- III. THE SUl'ERIORITY OF THE GOSPEL SALVATION. (1) Accessible even to the guilty. In fact, there are no innocent ones, "all have sinned." The Apostle called attention to the mercy and longsu:ffering of Jesus Christ, who " came into the world to save sinners ; of whom I am chief" (1 Tim. i. 15). " The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth from all sin.'! Ho ! ye despairing ones, there is hope for yon. Auel ye who are polluted with stains of deepest dye, you may be " clothed in white robes," and to you there shall be "therefore now no condemnation." (2) The refuge no confinement, but rather enlargement of liberty. The man-slayer was unable to follow his ordinary avocation or to resume his wonted place until the death of the high priest. Our Saviour has been already slain as the victim, and is entered as Hiah Priest into the holiest of all ; hence there is no pe1iod of waiting for us, but instant pardon and deliverance from thraldom. The busy man goes to business with lighter heart, and the mother, troubled with domestic cares, has obtained.ease and rest by ca,sting her burden upon the Lord. CoscLUSION. Flee to this refuge I Delay, and the footstep of the avenger shall be heard close behind you, and fear shall paralyse your flight. " Satan bath desired to have you;" but haste to the Saviour, let His strong arms protect you, and slieltered 'neath His smile your panting heart shall cease tumultuously to ~eat, And if you have won Christ and are " found in Him," not having your own nght- eousness, how secure and peaceful you may be. 'Whu.t .rejoicing should be yours I To be tormented witli doubt while you are in such a stronghold is foolish, and impairs the glory of the salvation Christ hath wrought. "Neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand."-A. Ver. 2.-T/ie cities of refuge. We know how strictly the law of Moses applied the avenging law. He who had killed was himself to be killed. The nearest relation of the victim he.d the right, and it was his duty, to pursue the of!eud_er. He was the avenger of blood. The law, under its original form, made no distm~t10n between a murder committed purposely and of premeditation, and an unintent10nal ell. XXI. 1-46.] THE BOOK OF JOSHUA. 2'l'l