Joshua 20:1-9 Finding Mercy Within the Justice of God

Chapter 20 discusses the remote-to-us concept of the cities of refuge.  I found it to be one of the most difficult sections in Joshua to preach.  God in His mercy continues to make provision for saints who sin in the Land while maintaining justice.  The need for this legislation shows how messy life can be for God’s people.  Verse 6 explains how long the manslayer stays in the city of refuge--until the death of the High Priest.  The death of the residing High Priest restored fellowship in Israel by clearing the guilt.  His death cancelled the debt owed by the manslayer.  Jesus’ death, which extends mercy and procures justice at the same time, is pictured in the death of the high priest that allowed the manslayer to return to his own town.  These cities showed how much God valued life.  This process helps explain why Scripture such as 1 John 1:9 work for us regularly.  In a messy world God continues to extend mercy while maintaining justice for those who believe.  The Church is one place where God’s people can find spiritual refuge. We know from 1 Corinthians 5 and 6 that the local church is supposed to be able to administer justice.