Sep. 11, 2024

The last time we met we ended by looking at Aaron's staff and how it budded, blossomed, and bore fruit and how this pictured Christ. This week we will look at the cities of refuge and how they picture Christ. We will be looking at several Old Testament Books including Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, and Ruth. Come join us at the Chapel or here online.

Connecting the Dots Lesson 19 – Handout

Cities of Refuge – Numbers 35:9-15 – point to Christ because we find refuge in Christ; we are made free by the death of our High Priest Jesus Christ; The cities of refuge were centrally located with easy access and open to all- Christ is accessible to all; if a killer did not flee to a city of refuge there was no protection for him; Christ is the only way.

Deuteronomy = deuteros = second + nomos = law or second law. The Hebrew (mishneh hattorah hazzoth) = “copy of this Law” Deuteronomy 17:18; Moses is teaching the younger generation that were not at Mt. Sinai to hear the Law when it was given. Moses teaches the Israelites they must learn from their mistakes and the mistakes of their forefathers, likewise Christians must do the same.; The book of the O.T. most frequently quoted by Christ; the Law or the Mosaic Covenant was never given to provide a means of salvation, to the contrary it was a schoolmaster or tutor to teach us we cannot save ourselves and we need a Savior. We must appropriate His finish work on the cross to have His perfect righteousness imputed to us. Deuteronomy 30:14 the Word is in your mouth and in your heart… (Rom. 10:6-9) Deuteronomy 21:22-23 – a man hung on a tree is cursed… (Gal. 3:13-14; Lev. 18:24-27; Num. 35:3; Acts 5:30; Acts 10:39, 13:29; Gen. 3; Rev. 22:14)

Joshua – bridges the writings of Moses to the rest of Scripture. God denies Moses to lead the people into the Promised Land but chooses Joshua who’s name means “The Lord Saves”. Joshua contrasts Numbers in that Numbers exemplified man’s failure where Joshua exemplifies Israel’s success as long as they obey God’s commands. Perfect example is the huge victory at Jericho followed by defeat at AI, because of one man’s (Achan) disobedience.

Parallels

Joshua    Ephesians

A picture of Spiritual victory (possessing the land)    Book of Heavenly places in Christ (1:3)

Peace and Rest will never come if Israel wanders in the wilderness    “Heavenly places” a sphere of higher and fuller life (1:3)

Israel enters and possesses the “earthly inheritance” promised to Abraham    The Church enters and possesses the “heavenly inheritance” given in Christ

Peace and Rest will never come if Israel wanders in the wilderness    “Heavenly places” a sphere of higher and fuller life (1:3)

Parallels

Joshua    Christ

Joshua = “The Lord Saves”    Is our Savior

Brought salvation to Israel by leading to Canaan    Brought salvation to all the world by leading to eternal life

Gave “rest” to the Israelites    Gives eternal “rest” to believers

“self-described” servant (Joshua 24:15)     Jesus is a servant (Luke 22:27; John 13)

Joshua succeeds Moses    Christ succeeds the Law

Joshua gives Israel what Moses couldn’t (The Promised Land)    Christ gives us what the Law couldn’t (God’s Salvation) (Rom. 8:2-4 & Gal. 3:23-25)

In a time of conflict & defeat Joshua intercedes for Israel (Jos. 7:5-9)    Christ intercedes for His people (Luke 22:32; 1 John 2:1)

Governor and commander of armies    King of the saints, leader & commander of His people, captain of our salvation

Parts the Jordan so the Israelites may crossover (Joshua 3:7-15)    Walks on water and calls others to come over to Him (Matt. 14:25-29)

Leads God’s people into the Promised Land       (Joshua 1:2-3)    Leads people to God’s promised inheritance (Matt. 25:34; Eph. 1:13,14)

Leads people into rest (Joshua 21:44)    Leads people into rest in the New Creation (Hebrews 4:1)

His army is arrayed in earthly armor          (Joshua 6:9)    His army is arrayed in spiritual armor   (Ephesians 6:10-17)

And pulls down earthly strongholds (Joshua 6)    And pulls down spiritual strongholds                       (2 Corinthian 10:3-5)

Judges - “In those days there was no king in Israel. Everyone did what was right in his own eyes (Judges 21:25 ESV).” Sin, Servitude, Sorrow, Supplication, Salvation. (Judges 13:3-5; Luke 1:26-38; Rom. 7:14-25; Is. 11:1-5;Prov. 3:5-6)

Ruth – Kinsman-Redeemer - In Ruth 3:9, we see a beautiful and poignant picture of the needy supplicant, unable to rescue herself, requesting of the kinsman-redeemer that he cover her with his protection, redeem her, and make her his wife. In the same way, the Lord Jesus Christ bought us for Himself, out of the curse, out of our destitution; made us His own beloved bride; and blessed us for all generations. He is the true kinsman-redeemer of all who call on Him in faith. (Ez. 34:10-12, 22; Ex. 20:2; Ps. 82:4; Heb. 2:11)

1st and 2nd Samuel – Samuel is a type of Christ he is a prophet, priest, and a judge. Samuel intercedes for Israel in 1 Sam 7:9 just as Christ intercedes for us in John 17. Eli the high priest blesses Hannah before Samuel is born – Grabriel blesses Mary before Jesus is born, Hannah brings Samuel to the Tabernacle with a sacrifice to dedicate him to God and Eli receives him - Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to the Temple with a sacrifice and Simeon receives him. Samuel’s parents make an annual trip to the Tabernacle – Jesus’ parents make an annual trip to the Temple, Hannah praises God in Eli’s presence, Mary prays a strikingly similar pray in the home of Zacheriah and Elizabeth. (1 Sam. 7:9; John 3:16; Heb. 9:22; 1 Sam. 1:17; Luke 1:26-38;  1 Sam. 1:24-28; 1 Sam. 1:23; Luke 2:22-24; 1 Sam. 2:19; Luke 2:41; 1 Sam. 2:1-11; Luke 1:46-56)