Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
back to:
Joshua
Book: Joshua
Chapter: 20
Overview:
The
Law concerning the cities of
Refuge.
(1-6) The cities
appointed as refuges.
(7-9)
1-6 When the Israelites were settled in their promised
inheritance, they were reminded to set apart the cities of
Refuge, whose use and typical meaning have been explained, Nu
35; De 19.
God's spiritual
Israel have, and shall have in
Christ and
Heaven, not only
Rest to repose in, but
Refuge to
secure themselves in. These cities were designed to typify the
relief which the
Gospel provides for penitent sinners, and their
protection from the
Curse of the
Law and the wrath of
God, in
our
Lord Jesus, to whom believers flee for
Refuge, Heb 6:18.
7-9 These cities, as those also
On the other side
Jordan, stood
So that a
Man might in half a
Day reach one of them from any
part of the country.
God is ever a
Refuge at
Hand. They were all
Levites' cities. It was kindness to the
Poor Fugitive, that when
he might not go up to the
House of the
Lord, yet he had the
servants of
God with him, to instruct him, and pray for him, and
to help to make up the want of public ordinances. Some observe a
significance in the names of these cities with application to
Christ our
Refuge.
Kedesh signifies holy, and our
Refuge is the
holy
Jesus.
Shechem, a shoulder, and the government is upon his
shoulder.
Hebron,
Fellowship, and believers are called into the
Fellowship of
Christ Jesus our
Lord.
Bezer, a fortification, for
he is a strong
Hold to all those that trust in him.
Ramoth, high
or exalted, for Him hath
God exalted with his own right
Hand.
Golan, joy or exultation, for in Him all the saints are
justified, and shall
Glory.