A Tale of Two CitiesJoshua 20,21

Cities of Refuge Joshua 20:1-9

The Priestly Cities Joshua 21:1-3

A Tale of Two CitiesJoshua 20,21

I. Cities of Refuge 20:1-9A. Principle Genesis 9:5,6 Exodus

21:12,131. Murder versus Manslaughter2. Value of man made in God’s image3. Universal code of justice4. Foundation of law is God’s character5. God’s law fixed; Man’s law relative

A Tale of Two CitiesJoshua 20,21

I. Cities of Refuge 20:1-9 (cont’d)

B. Practice1. Way to cities clearly marked

Roads built Deuteronomy 19:3 Bridges built / Big signs

2. Doors to cities of refuge unlocked3. Cities of refuge for all; Jew &

Gentile4. No other provision for manslayer5. Freedom came at High Priest’s

death

A Tale of Two CitiesJoshua 20,21

I. Cities of Refuge 20:1-9 (cont’d)

C. Parallels to our Salvation1. 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

5. Jesus our High Priest Heb. 7:22-28

A Tale of Two CitiesJoshua 20,21

II. The Priestly CitiesA. The curse on Levi – No landB. Levi’s curse becomes Israel’s

blessing (48 cities)1. Presence among the people2. Service to cities and the Temple3. Teach and remind people of God

A Tale of Two CitiesJoshua 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 CitiesJoshua 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?