The Reason God Commanded the Establishment of Cities of Refuge (Joshua 20:1–6)
The Reason God Commanded the Establishment of Cities of Refuge (Joshua 20:1–6) 1/17/2026
God allotted the land of Canaan to the people of Israel according to their tribes and then assigned them two special tasks. The first was to establish cities of refuge, and the second was to establish cities for the tribe of Levi, who were to serve the Tabernacle and minister to and bless the people.
Why did God distinguish these two kinds of cities? First, the city of refuge was established in preparation for the saving work of Christ, who would save all humanity. The cities for the Levites were established in preparation for how those who are saved can enjoy God’s blessing.
The cities of refuge were not prepared for ordinary criminals. They were places where those who had committed manslaughter could be protected from unilateral revenge and be given the opportunity for a fair trial. Through this, God explained His infinite grace toward humanity fallen into sin. Here we must also discover the true image of the church God desires, as well as true evangelism and missions.
- How were the cities of refuge established?
1) God commanded that 3 cities be established east of the Jordan River and 3 west of it (v 7–8), for a total of 6 cities. The number six is the number of days in which God created the world, and it also symbolizes humanity’s tendency to fail and stumble in this world. More importantly, it was a number chosen so that anyone in need of God’s grace could enter quickly. This is also why churches must exist in every region of the land and why God made provision for every sinner to be saved.
2) The roads leading to the cities of refuge were to be kept in good condition, and signposts were to be erected (Deuteronomy19:3). This was so that anyone could find them and enter easily.
① The secret is the gospel of Christ. The gospel is not that we must suffer and strive to be saved. Rather, God’s Son Himself came and became “the door” of salvation (John 10:9) and “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).
② People often take this way of salvation lightly because it is so simple and easy. This is human foolishness and pride. They fail to realize that no amount of personal effort can resolve their own sin (Song of Nirvana by Monk Sung Cheol). In particular, God said to build these cities “for you” (v. 3), because human life is always vulnerable to falling at any moment.
- What did the cities of refuge mean? At the core is God’s loving heart toward all humanity. Since all people after Adam possess the nature of original sin and are liable to fail at any time, God commanded the cities of refuge to be built in advance. This is God’s immeasurable love. Christ is the one who came bearing this love (John 3:16; Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:10). Without experiencing this love of God, true evangelism and missions that save all sinners, the sick, and all nations are impossible.
1) The cities of refuge contain the heart of God, who loves and desires to save every life.
① From the beginning, God created human life as precious (Genesis 1:26–28). He created humanity in His image, blessed all people, and entrusted them with dominion over all things.
When the first humans, Adam and Eve, were deceived by Satan, departed from God, and fell into pride, this blessing was broken. Even today, people walk the same path without realizing they are being deceived by Satan. They mistakenly believe they can control their own lives apart from God. At first, things may seem to go well and appear successful, but in the end they fail, are crushed by the world, and head toward eternal judgment.
② To prevent humanity from perishing this way, God’s Son Himself came to be the door of salvation and the way. He became the eternal redeemer for us (Mark 10:45), bearing the curse and judgment we deserved. He rose again and gave us eternal new life. This is the blessing of the resurrection (Romans 6:4). When Christ returns, our bodies too will be resurrected and clothed with new bodies (Revelation 21:4).
③ The problem is that people live without understanding this love of God. As a result, they do not value life, even their own. They live thoughtlessly and without purpose, committing lies and even murder for the sake of greed. This is a spiritual problem (John 8:44). Therefore, God allowed the mystery of the city of refuge. If one simply enters it, one can live and begin again.
2) The cities of refuge also contain God’s justice. Justice refers to fair judgment for sin.
① There are three reasons humanity faces eternal judgment and hell. This is God’s first justice. It is judgment for the curse of original sin that began with Adam and Eve (Romans 5:12). From there, comes our voluntary sins. It is judgment upon the devil, who deceived Adam and Eve into sin and continues to steal human lives (Matthew 25:41). It is also justice fulfilled at the cross, where Christ bore the punishment for both original sin and personal sin in our place (Matthew 27:46). That is God’s justice. God fulfilled His justice at the cross and opened the way of salvation; rejecting this results in judgment of hell.
② God’s second justice is the proper judgment of sins committed during our earthly lives. Even as saved people and children of God, like the Israelites, we still stumble. In moments of greed, mistakes, or deception by Satan, people fall into evil and even commit murder. In such cases, God commanded that they remain in the city of refuge and receive a fair trial, receiving punishment according to the severity of the sin. People, however, often judge differently, condemning others outright based on public opinion. Some seek blood revenge due to personal pain. God forbade this, commanding that final judgment be left to Him and that people not commit further sin through revenge (Romans 12:19).
③ After paying the price through a fair trial, the person was to be given a chance to begin again. This is God’s third justice. There are two chances for the person to be sent home (v. 6). After receiving appropriate punishment, they could return, and when the high priest died, they were fully released. Christ fulfilled this as the true High Priest (Hebrews 5:5; 9:11–12).
3) The cities of refuge contain a mission that the churches on this earth must recover.
① The church must be a place where anyone can come, realize their sin, find resolution, and be restored to life. It is a city of refuge for this age. It must be a “courtyard of healing,” where anyone can recognize their deep wounds and be healed. Not just physical illnesses, but sickness caused by idolatry, sin, despair, anger, and depression, which can lead to addiction, panic disorder, and even suicide.
② Within the city of refuge lived the Levites who would heal and save these people, along with those who gave up land for the city. The Levites represent today’s pastors, and those who gave their land and served together represent the church’s leaders. Therefore, pastors without question, and especially church leaders, must stand as those who accept, forgive, and give life to all.
③ These cities of refuge must also be established in our families and workplaces (family churches, workplace churches). If family members cannot accept, forgive, and give life to one another, that place will become a kind of hell.
Conclusion – May God’s heart and mission contained in the cities of refuge become mine and ours. I pray that during our days on this earth, the people we save will become our eternal inheritance, reward, and crown.
1.18.26 The Reason God Commanded the Establishment of Cities of Refuge
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