The ancient cities of refuge

“And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjatharba, which is Hebron, in the mountain of Judah. And on the other side Jordan by Jericho eastward, they assigned Bezer in the wilderness upon the plain out of the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead out of the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan out of the tribe of Manasseh” (Joshua 20:7-8).

Provision was made when someone accidentally killed another person. Being guilty of manslaughter, he could escape to one of the six cities mentioned. He would remain there unharmed until the life of the high priest had expired, and then return to his district and home.

Interestingly, three of these former cities of refuge are located east of the Jordan River in Jordanian-occupied Israeli territory, and the other three on the west side.

Also of interest is the statement found in a Google search, “Hebron remains deeply divided and heavily militarized with recent tension escalating due to Israel’s military operations,” indicating that the problem is not Palestinian Arab terrorism but Israel’s military occupation. That is nothing new and is now the accepted norm: Israel has no right to defend itself, and it’s not allowed to liberate Arab-occupied Israeli territory.

Another very important place is Bethlehem. It’s no longer officially located in the land of Israel, but in Arab Palestine according to international organizations.

When it comes to Jerusalem, the city is divided and Israel’s ancient holy place, the Temple Mount, is occupied by Arab Palestinians under the banner of Islam.

This is a significant message for Israel, and also for the Church. What was the case in ancient days is not expected to be revived in the latter days. The ancient cities of refuge are now occupied by foreigners or are in ruins, testifying of their previous existence. The remnant is a heap of ruins.

It is this writer’s opinion that we do not need to wait for the third temple on the Temple Mount, nor do we need to wait for the return of the six cities of refuge, or the city of Bethlehem to return to Israeli sovereignty. Why? Because God is doing something new.

Here the prophet Jeremiah heralds: “Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD” (Jeremiah 31:31-32). Note the words “new covenant.”

When Israel returned from Egypt to the Promised Land, it was under the auspices of direct supernatural involvement of the God of Israel, the Creator of heaven and earth.

In the latter days, however, there is the promise: “And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land, and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers, and in all the inhabited places of the country” (Ezekiel 34:13).

What happens next? “A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh” (Ezekiel 36:26). We note the “new heart” and “new spirit” of Jews in Israel has been proven to the world over and again: When threatened with destruction, Israel came out on top each time. Actually, during a number of wars, they expanded their territory.

But that’s not all; we again point to the next verse: “And I will put my spirit within you” (v. 27a). That is a distinction. The Jews were gathered by the invisible hand of the Almighty to return to the land of their fathers. Not because of spiritual motivation; the Jews wanted their own land, their own government, and that is what they have today.

At this time, the fulfillment is in progress: “And I will multiply upon you man and beast; and they shall increase and bring fruit: and I will settle you after your old estates, and will do better unto you than at your beginnings: and ye shall know that I am the LORD” (Ezekiel 36:11).

Thus, when it comes to Arab-occupied Israeli territory, it’s not what the UN, the EU, the US, or any other geopolitical entity declares, because we read, “I … will do better unto you than at your beginnings.” That is an irrevocable promise and will be fulfilled in due time. It is only from this perspective that we can understand the extremely complicated developments in Israel and the surrounding Arab nations today.

For the Church, the return to the foundations to attempt to recreate it, is destined to utterly fail. Some dear believers are of the opinion that when we go back to ancient Christianity, we will be on the right track; not so.

The foundation was once built, and we add, once and for all. First Corinthians 3:11 declares, “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 2:20 adds, “And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone.”

What will take place when the Church on earth is completed? It will be taken possession of by the Creator, the God of heaven and earth.

We have an impressive picture of that in 2 Chronicles 7:1-2: “Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house. And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD’s house.” Then, and only then, will our work on earth be done. “When the roll is called up yonder,” we shall be there.

In the meantime, let us continue to bless the people of Israel, the Jewish nation, with our love and prayers. We think particularly of the Church, which is multiplying in the land of Israel.

Let us not cease for one moment to bless, pray, and give in favor of the people of Israel and their land. Israel is being contested more than ever by the nations of the world. Pray with us that our Lord shall hasten the completion of His Church and the coming for His own.