The name of Jesus is the City of Refuge

Trust Maanda
Looking at the Unseen

NUMBERS 35:1-7,9-15
And the LORD spake unto Moses in the plains of Moab by Jordan near Jericho, saying, [2] Command the children of Israel, that they give unto the Levites of the inheritance of their possession cities to dwell in; and ye shall give also unto the Levites suburbs for the cities round about them. [3] And the cities shall they have to dwell in; and the suburbs of them shall be for their cattle, and for their goods, and for all their beasts. [4] And the suburbs of the cities, which ye shall give unto the Levites, shall reach from the wall of the city and outward a thousand cubits round about. [5] And ye shall measure from without the city on the east side two thousand cubits, and on the south side two thousand cubits, and on the west side two thousand cubits, and on the north side two thousand cubits; and the city shall be in the midst: this shall be to them the suburbs of the cities. [6] And among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites there shall be six cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint for the manslayer, that he may flee thither: and to them ye shall add forty and two cities. [7] So all the cities which ye shall give to the Levites shall be forty and eight cities: them shall ye give with their suburbs. [9] And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, [10] Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come over Jordan into the land of Canaan; [11] Then ye shall appoint you cities to be cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares. [12] And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment. [13] And of these cities which ye shall give six cities shall ye have for refuge. [14] Ye shall give three cities on this side Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan, which shall be cities of refuge. [15] These six cities shall be a refuge, both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither.
God told Moses to tell Israel to set aside cities of refuge in the Promised Land. The cities of refuge were for the accidental manslayer.
If a man accidentally slew another, and the relatives of the victim were pursuing him for revenge, he could run to that city of refuge. When he got to the city of refuge, he would explain that he was fleeing from an avenger of blood whose relative he had accidentally killed.
He would be permitted into the city and his pursuers were not allowed to follow him into the city, to do him harm.
He was safe as soon as he entered the city. God’s provided way for that innocent man was that he could be exempted from being slain, because he had killed accidentally.
The cities were six. They were strategically positioned so that the accidental killer would flee to the nearest city. The cities were of refuge for the stranger and Israelite alike.
Six cities were not enough. The number does not sound divine.
There was another unnamed city. That city is the Name of the Lord, Jesus Christ.
Proverbs 18:10 says: The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe. That Name is a strong tower. It is a fortress. In Psalm 71:3, David, using the imagery of a man in battle who retreats to a fort for protection, asked the Lord to be his strong habitation where he would continually retreat.
He said: Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort: thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.
In Psalm 46:1, the Bible says: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Jesus’ Name is a nearby city. He is a present help in time of trouble. When temptations gather around you, call that Name in prayer.
You were born in sin. You did not intend to sin. You were trapped into a sinful flesh. You are an accidental killer. Your accusers and pursuers want your blood. Get into Christ. Receive Him as your personal saviour.
The pursuing avenger will not get you, once you get into that Name. Spirits from your background, inherited diseases, undesirable family traits and everything that follows your bloodline, will not find you once you get into that Name.
Get into Christ, the nearby City of refuge.

Trust Maanda is a Gospel preacher and transformational speaker. He writes in his personal capacity. He can be contacted on +263772432646