Bible Handbook

Life Only Through Christ, As Taught By The Cities Of Refuge

• Numbers 35:11-14. The six cities of refuge were a constant reminder that eternal life was a gift and not an inherent human inheritance. Patriarchs and Prophets, 516. BHB 102.14

• Deuteronomy 19:2, 3. The roads leading to the cities were to be kept in good repair that the one fleeing might not be hindered. Patriarchs and Prophets, 515. BHB 102.15

• Numbers 35:15. The refuge was free to all; even the stranger and sojourner might flee thither. Patriarchs and Prophets, 515. BHB 103.1

• Numbers 35:16-25. The regulations regarding these cities taught that there were degrees of crime. It was possible to go so far in sin that the sinner was delivered over to the avenger even at the gate of the city. Patriarchs and Prophets, 516. BHB 103.2

• Hebrews 6:4-6; Matthew 12:31, 32. There is an unpardonable sin. BHB 103.3

• Hebrews 12:16, 17. Illustrated in the case of Esau. BHB 103.4

• Joshua 20:4. Confession was made at the gate before the one fleeing was received. BHB 103.5

• 1 John 1:9. The sinner must confess. BHB 103.6

• Numbers 35:26-29. Inside the city was life; outside the city was death. Patriarchs and Prophets, 517. BHB 103.7

• Proverbs 18:10; Psalm 91:2. Christ is a refuge. Patriarchs and Prophets, 516, 517. BHB 103.8

• 1 John 5:11, 12; John 15:4-7. Our safety is to abide in Christ. BHB 103.9

• Numbers 35:26-28. If one presumptuously went outside the city, his life could be taken. BHB 103.10

• Ezekiel 18:24-26. The one that turns from the refuge of Christ, dies the second death. BHB 103.11

• Joshua 20:6; Numbers 35:25. There were two important events to which the dweller in the city looked forward,-the judgment and the death of the high priest. The judgment decided his destiny; the death of the high priest restored him to freedom of the land. The decision in the judgment decides our eternal destiny; and when our High Priest ceases to be high priest, our adversary, the devil, has no power to take our life, and we come into possession of our eternal inheritance. BHB 103.12