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Post by Josh on Nov 3, 2009 10:36:04 GMT -8
Post your comments/ questions/ discussion starters on Joshua chapters 20 and 21 as replies here.
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Post by Josh on Nov 10, 2009 11:31:58 GMT -8
Sunday, Lord willing, I'm going to be discussing the concept of the "City of Refuge" from Joshua chapter 20. Interestingly, this concept is not unique to ancient Israel. For instance, the Hawaiians had a similar custom: PUUHONUA O HONAUNAU EXPLORING THE CITY OF REFUGE Author: AFH
In ancient times, Hawaiians lived under strict laws. Commoners could not get too close to the chief, nor were they allowed to touch any of his possessions, walk in his footsteps or even let their shadows touch the royal grounds. The penalty for violating a sacred kapu (taboo) was death.
Breaking a kapu was believed to incur the wrath of the gods. Hawaiians often chased down an offender and swiftly put him to death unless he could reach a puuhonua, or place of refuge. There he could be absolved by a kahuna (priest) in a purification ceremony, then return home with his transgression forgiven. Defeated warriors and non-combatants could also find refuge here during times of battle.Here's a picture: So, some questions: in what ways does this legal custom foreshadow the message of Jesus?
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Post by Josh on Nov 11, 2009 16:12:24 GMT -8
I'm finding some juicy details about the significance of the cities of refgure from the Talmud/ Mishnah/ and Rabbinical writings. Can't wait to share it on Sunday.
Here's a comment by from the early church about the spiritual significance of a part of this passage:
Joshua 20:6 He is to stay in that city until he has stood trial before the assembly and until the death of the high priest who is serving at that time. Then he may go back to his own home in the town from which he fled."
“Who is that high priest but the Son of God, the Word of God? We enjoy his advocacy in our behalf before the Father, for he is free from every offense, both willed and unintentional…”
Ambrose of Milan
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Post by Josh on Nov 17, 2009 20:53:10 GMT -8
A few of my notes from last Sunday (not very organized this time around)
Notes on the cities of refuge:
Remember that in the ancient world there were no police; people most often relied on vigilante justice. In the case of killing (murder or even accidental), family members of the deceased would seek vengeance for the death. Thus, the need for “safe zones” until cooler heads could put a case to a trial.
Special roads twice as wide were made to help people flee to the cities of refuge.
Available to Jews and foreigners
The Mishnah states that the high priest's mother would traditionally supply clothing and food to those claiming asylum in the cities of refuge, so that the potential avengers wouldn't wish for the death of her “son”
According toRabbinical authorites the perpetrator of the unintentional killing was to spend his time contemplating the import of the tragedy.
The Talmud aruges that the death of the High Priest served as a vicarious atonement for the unintentional killing, due to the supposed righteousness of the priest, which is a surprising Jewish view on atonement.
“Who is that high priest but the Son of God, the Word of God? We enjoy his advocacy in our behalf before the Father, for he is free from every offense, both willed and unintentional…” Ambrose of Milan
“Fleeing” is a key biblical metaphor for running from sin. Where are we to run? To our city of refuge, Christ, and his church.
Matthew 3:7 Flee from God’s wrath 1 Cor 6:18 flee from sexual immorality 1 Cor 10:14 flee from idolatry 1 Tim 6:10-11 Flee from the love of money 2 Tim. 2:22 Flee from evil desires of youth
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