A Tale of Two Cities Joshua 20 21

A Tale of Two Cities Joshua 20, 21 Cities of Refuge Joshua 20: 1 -9 The Priestly Cities Joshua 21: 1 -3

A Tale of Two Cities Joshua 20, 21 I. Cities of Refuge 20: 1 -9 A. Principle Genesis 9: 5, 6 Exodus 21: 12, 13 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Murder versus Manslaughter Value of man made in God’s image Universal code of justice Foundation of law is God’s character God’s law fixed; Man’s law relative

A Tale of Two Cities Joshua 20, 21 I. Cities of Refuge 20: 1 -9 (cont’d) B. Practice 1. Way to cities clearly marked Ø Roads built Deuteronomy 19: 3 Ø Bridges built / Big signs 2. 3. 4. 5. Doors to cities of refuge unlocked Cities of refuge for all; Jew & Gentile No other provision for manslayer Freedom came at High Priest’s death

A Tale of Two Cities Joshua 20, 21 I. Cities of Refuge 20: 1 -9 (cont’d) C. Parallels to our Salvation 1. We must make the way to Christ easily accessible 2. The arms of Christ are always open to receive us John 6: 37 Rev. 22: 17 3. Salvation in Jesus Christ is open to all 4. There is only one way to escape death Jesus Christ John 11: 25, 26

A Tale of Two Cities Joshua 20, 21 II. The Priestly Cities A. The curse on Levi – No land B. Levi’s curse becomes Israel’s blessing (48 cities) 1. Presence among the people 2. Service to cities and the Temple 3. Teach and remind people of God

A Tale of Two Cities Joshua 20, 21 Principles #1 We serve a faithful covenant keeping God. #2 God’s power overcomes anything we face. #3 God keeps His promises.

A Tale of Two Cities Joshua 20, 21 Application God’s covenants, power, and promises are all spiritual resources that we must depend on as we claim our inheritance through trust and obedience. What part of your inheritance is unclaimed? Is a lack of trust or obedience keeping the inheritance unclaimed?