Because God wanted to show His unchangeable purpose even more clearly to the heirs of the promise, He guaranteed it with an oath, so that through two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to seize the hope set before us (Heb. 6: 17 – 18). In all probability the Hebrew Christians who first read these inspired words recalled the cities of refuge of Old Testament times (Ex. 21: 13; Num. 35; Deut. 4: 41 – 43; Josh. 20)
The cities of refuge were appointed by God. “The cities you give the Levites will include six cities of refuge, which you must provide so that the one who kills someone may flee there” (35: 6). These cities were not man’s idea. God, in His infinite wisdom, provided in advance for the protection of the manslayer in Israel. In like fashion God determined before the foundation of the world that Christ would be the refuge of all who would flee to him. The Cross of refuge was God’s appointed plan not ours.
The cities of refuge were to be accessible. That is why they were located around the nation and on both sides of the Jordan. Some of the cities were even located on mountains so they could be seen more easily by the traveler approaching them. Anyone guilty of manslaughter should be able to arrive at a city of refuge quickly and easily. Jesus avowed, “Everyone the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will never cast out” (Jhn. 6: 37). If you came to Jesus today and were turned away, you would be the first in history. No, Jesus never turns anyone away. He is our accessible refuge.
The cities of refuge were to be advertised. Tradition says that the priests insured that the roadway was always in a state of good repair and that regular landmarks were to mark the way to the city of refuge. Paul’s testimony before Agrippa was that “this thing (the life and death of Jesus) was not done in a corner” (Acts 26: 26). God has seen to it through the inspiration and preservation of His Word along with the commission which compels us to take the Gospel to the world that the refuge found in our Christ is known to all.
The cities of refuge were adequate. In the city of refuge the person who unintentionally killed someone was safe from the avenger until the death of the high priest (35: 25). So Jesus has also become the guarantee of a better covenant. Now many have become Levitical priests, since they are prevented by death from remaining in office. But because He remains forever, He holds His priesthood permanently. Therefore He is always able to save those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to intercede for them (Heb. 7: 22 – 25). We need no other refuge than the one we sought and found in Jesus Christ.