“…we…who have fled for refuge…” (Hebrews 6:18).
The Law of Moses legislated the establishment of six cities of refuge in the Promised Land. Three—Golan, Ramoth, and Bosor—were east of the Jordan River, and three—Kedesh, Shechem, and Hebron—were west.
When a death (accidental or intentional) had occurred at the hand of another, the person responsible for the death, would flee from the victim’s blood-avenger to one of these cities and await an investigation and trial. If the citizens of the city determined the death was intentional, the perpetrator was put to death. If the verdict was that the death was accidental, the perpetrator was allowed refuge in the city as long as he remained inside its gates. If he left the city and was found by the blood-avenger, his death was his fault.
In Christ, we who are accidentally and intentionally guilty of the capital crime called sin have a refuge from the just wrath of God. As long as we remain in Christ—our refuge—we have hope.
Here is a sobering reason for the necessity of spiritual fortitude: If you leave Christ, you leave the only refuge God has provided for you in the new covenant. In Christ there is refuge from God’s wrath. Leaving Christ you face a most certain, eternal death.
