16 August, 2010

Text: Joshua 20

GOD'S COMMUNICATION WITH JOSHUA
Joshua 20:1-6

1. This was an on-going reality

2. It worked both ways:-

    a) God could take the initiative

    b) Joshua could take the initiative

COMMAND TO BUILD CITIES OF REFUGE

1. Reference to what God spoke to Moses earlier    Joshua 20:2; Numbers 35

2. Reasons for building these Cities of Refuge

    a) Protection for people who slay others

        i) Accidentally    Joshua 20:3a

        ii) Unintentionally    Joshua 20:3b

    b) Protection from the avenger of blood    Joshua 20:3

        i) Family

        ii) Friends

3. Protocol to be observed    Joshua 20: 4

    a) The individual must flee to a City of Refuge

    b) He must stand at the gate and plead his case

    c) If the case is genuine he will be given sanctuary

    d) He will remain protected until his case is heard

    e) He will be tried by a tribunal that must be set up

4. Cities of Refuge named    Joshua 20:7-9

    a) Kedesh in Galilee in the mountains of Naphthali

    b) Shechem in the mountains of Ephraim

    c) Kirjath Srba (Hebron) in the mountain of Judah

    d) Bezer in the wilderness on the plain from the tribe of Reuben

    e) Ramoth in Gilead from the tribe of Gad

    f) Golan in Bashan, from the tribe of Manasseh

5. Sanctuary for whom?    Joshua 20:9

    a) For the children of Israel

    b) For the stranger too