Daily Scripture Threshing for Wednesday, August 9, 2023
Today’s Text: Joshua 20:1-9
Key Verse: Joshua 20:7 (NLT): “The following cities were designated as cities of refuge: Kedesh of Galilee, in the hill country of Naphtali; Shechem, in the hill country of Ephraim; and Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), in the hill country of Judah.”
The concept of the city of refuge is a theological and spiritual idiom of God’s justice, mercy and love among His chosen people. God commanded the Hebrews to create six Cities of Refuge and allocate them to the Levites to provide asylum for perpetrators of unintentional manslaughter. The cities were divinely appointed and subject to Mosaic Law to offer offenders refuge and protection from indiscriminate retribution of the avenging family until the case was tried and facts of matters are determined.
These six Cities of Refuge have gates which are always open to anyone who could make it to safety including foreigners. They were distributed throughout the Kingdom of Israel in the north and the Kingdom of Judah in the south — strategically placed, in order that they could be easily reached within one day of travel or less. The roads leading to the six cities were well maintained in order to ensure a smooth passage for fugitives.
Today, there are no better types of these six Cities of Refuge than the church; especially imaging our Lord Jesus Christ as the world’s true and sure Refuge. He is a stronghold for the oppressed, and a refuge in times of trouble (Psalm 9:9). He is also very present in times of terror, crises and pain—such as our world is now in. He said: “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:28). This same Jesus has appointed the church as His new covenant house of refuge and has positioned you and I as His open gates to take people in and help them.
Whereas a few self-driven charlatans have been preaching colorized gospel of discontinuity with the Old; but Jesus gospel is not about discontinuity but about fulfillment. “I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me” (Matthew 25: 31-40) is in the same spirit of wholistic biblical continuity and fulfillment. God wants the city of refuge close to that area, brother, sister, family, those people, and/or situation, that is why you are there, connected, informed or involved. Why not clear up the barriers, open your arms and doors, and embrace responsibility.
Quote for the Day: “All who have found eternal refuge in Jesus Christ are not just to hold fast to the hope set before them; but host all men to the same, who are needing it.” (Simon Olatunji)
Prayer: Dear Lord, I pray for the grace and courage to always come to the fore and be the voice of one speaking for the voiceless, defending the weak, securing the helpless; and above all, leading men and women to the saving grace of Jesus Christ — in whose’ mighty name I pray. Amen.
With all my love and prayers,
Rev Simon Wale Olatunji, Ph.D.
Your Darling Bishop (DaBishop)
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[Daily Scripture Threshing is a devotional guide of The House of Prayer Evangel Church USA distributed for free use by individuals, small groups, families, and Christian churches]
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