Week 8: Cities of Refuge

Book of Joshua chapters 20-21

Objective: 

• Cities of refuges

Resources:

• Book of Joshua - Fr Tadros Malaty Commentary (English)
• Catena Bible Commentary
• Fr Dawoud Lamie Bible study (Arabic)
• Fr Luka Maher Bible study (Arabic)
  

Reading:

• Chapter 20:1-7
• Chapter 21 (focus on verses 43-45)

Key verse(s):

• "Not a word failed of any good thing which the Lord had spoken to the house of Israel. All came to pass." Joshua 21:45

Comments:

Chapter 20

• The Law of the Cities of Refuge (verses 1-6)
  • "God's mercy is great, as He provides refuge for the one who has unintentionally committed manslaughter. Similarly, may you be compassionate and forgive those who wrong you, giving them a new chance to live in love with God and with you."
  • The high priest in verse 6 symbolizes Christ, whose death provided us with salvation. The concept of seeking refuge from the city of refuge reflects the protection and new life that Christ offers through His sacrifice.
• The Names of the Cities (verses 7-9) skip

Chapter 21

• The Levitical Cities (verses 1-12) 
• The Cities of the Priests (verses 13-19)

  • The Levites did not receive a portion of land like the other tribes because God Himself was their inheritance. Instead, God gave them cities to live in, totaling 48 cities, which was more than the portion given to most other tribes. This illustrates that God blesses His servants spiritually and provides for all their material needs.

    Therefore, offer your love to God and serve Him faithfully, trusting in His provision which distinguishes you from others. Your gratitude and service will lead to His continued care, which will meet all your needs."

• Completion of the Land Distribution (verses 43-45)

  • "God fulfilled His promise to His children by giving them the land of Canaan as He had promised, and by granting them victory over all their enemies. This serves as an example of Christ’s victory on the cross, where He defeated Satan and put him under our feet.

    Trust in God’s power to support and grant you victory over your spiritual enemies, no matter your own weakness or the strength of the adversaries. God loves you and will protect you from all harm as long as you hold fast to Him."

Review/recap questions:
**Servant may add more questions

•  What was a city of refuge?
• Did God keep His promise?

Homework:
**Servant may add more questions

• Who can have refuge in the cities of refuge?
  a) one who killed unintentionally b) a blood avenger c) one who killed intentionally
• The Lord keeps His promises. True or false?