Transcript

Podcast Introduction

Today is Monday, and we’ll complete the book of Numbers with chapters 33-36.  After the reading I have some comments for you, I have an on this date in church history for you. And I have a VERY exciting praise in our prayer segment, as well. I’m calling today’s episode “He Is Our Refuge.”

Comments on Numbers 35

To our 21st century western culture minds, the concept of cities of refuge seems very foreign, but in the culture of Israel when these words were written, this was something that was needed. Each family group had an avenger who would carry out the Genesis 9:6 proclamation, which says, “Whoever shed’s man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed; for in the image of God, God made man.”

Here in Numbers 35, a detailed plan was shown that dealt with the situation where a person committed a killing that was accidental, and not premeditated murder, could find a place of safety from an avenger. I won’t review the details of the plan, because we just read them.

What I want to do is show how this concept of the refuge cities is a foreshadowing, or type, of Jesus.

First, there are many scriptures that refer to God as being our refuge. Here are a few:

Psalm 46:1 – God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. 

Psalm 91:2 – I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, My God, in whom I trust!”

Psalm 18:2 – The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Hebrews 6:18 – That by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.

Where do we flee for refuge? To Jesus.

Cities of refuge were located throughout Israel so that those who needed refuge would be able to easily make their way to them. Jesus is only a prayer away.

Cities of refuge were open to anyone, not just the Jew, but to all. Jesus came that anyone who asks will find salvation.

Cities of refuge were places where the one in need could live permanently. A relationship with Jesus is eternal.

Cities of refuge were the only place a person could find safety. Without them, death was sure. Only in Jesus, do we find eternal life.

Outside of the cities of refuge, there was no protection. Outside of Jesus, there is no salvation.

Only when the high priest died was the person freed from the threat of death by the avenger. Jesus, our High Priest, died on a cross to bring our freedom.

And there is one huge difference between cities of refuge and Jesus. You had to be innocent to live in a city of refuge. Jesus accepts the guilty, and removes all guilt and sin.

Hallelujah and amen! Jesus is the only way to freedom, to peace, to live with the assurance that we will never have to pay the penalty for our transgressions, if we have confessed our need of Him and invited Him to be our Savior, and accepted His gift of salvation.

He is our refuge.

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 33 NKJV; Ch. 34 CEV; Ch. 35 NIV; Ch. 36 NLT

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STEVE WEBB – 0:00
It was something that was needed.

INTRO S12E285 – 0:09
And it’s the Lifespring Family Audio Bible coming to you from Riverside, California. Hi there. I’m your OG Godcaster, podcasting since 2004, and my name is Steve Webb. This is the daily show where we’re reading through the entire Bible in a year. Today’s Monday, and we’ll complete the book of Numbers with chapters 33 through 36. After the reading I’ve got some comments for you, I have an On This Date in Church History, and I have a very exciting praise in our prayer segment too. I’m calling today’s episode, “He is Our Refuge”. The show notes page for today’s episode is at lifespringmedia.com/s12e285. And my email address is st***@*************ia.com. Let’s get started.

NUMBERS 33 (NKJV) – 0:51
Numbers, chapter 33. (1) These are the journeys of the children of Israel, who went out of the land of Egypt by their armies under the hand of Moses and Aaron. (2) Now Moses wrote down the starting points of their journeys at the command of the Lord. And these are their journeys according to their starting points:

(3) They departed from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month; on the day after the Passover the children of Israel went out with boldness in the sight of all the Egyptians. (4) For the Egyptians were burying all their firstborn, whom the Lord had killed among them. Also on their gods the Lord had executed judgment.

(5) Then the children of Israel moved from Rameses and camped at Succoth. (6) They departed from Succoth and camped at Etham, which is on the edge of the wilderness. (7) They moved from Etham and turned back to Pi Hahiroth, which is east of Baal Zephon; and they camped near Migdol. (8) They departed from before Hahiroth and passed through the midst of the sea into the wilderness, went three days’ journey in the Wilderness of Etham, and camped at Marah. (9) They moved from Marah and came to Elim. At Elim were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees; so they camped there.

(10) They moved from Elim and camped by the Red Sea. (11) They moved from the Red Sea and camped in the Wilderness of Sin. (12) They journeyed from the Wilderness of Sin and camped at Dophkah. (13) They departed from Dophkah and camped at Alush. (14) They moved from Alush and camped at Rephidim, where there was no water for the people to drink.

(15) They departed from Rephidim and camped in the Wilderness of Sinai. (16) They moved from the Wilderness of Sinai and camped at Kibroth Hattaavah. (17) They departed from Kibroth Hattaavah and camped at Hazeroth. (18) They departed from Hazeroth and camped at Rithmah. (19) They departed from Rithmah and camped at Rimmon Perez. (20) They departed from Rimmon Perez and camped at Libnah. (21) They moved from Libnah and camped at Rissah. (22) They journeyed from Rissah and camped at Kehelathah. (23) They went from Kehelathah and camped at Mount Shepher. (24) They moved from Mount Shepher and camped at Haradah. (25) They moved from Haradah and camped at Makheloth. (26) They moved from Makheloth and camped at Tahath. (27) They departed from Tahath and camped at Terah. (28) They moved from Terah and camped at Mithkah. (29) They went from Mithkah and camped at Hashmonah. (30) They departed from Hashmonah and camped at Moseroth. (31) They departed from Moseroth and camped at Bene Jaakan. (32) They moved from Bene Jaakan and camped at Hor Hagidgad. (33) They went from Hor Hagidgad and camped at Jotbathah. (34) They moved from Jotbathah and camped at Abronah. (35) They departed from Abronah and camped at Ezion Geber. (36) They moved from Ezion Geber and camped in the Wilderness of Zin, which is Kadesh. (37) They moved from Kadesh and camped at Mount Hor, on the boundary of the land of Edom.

(38) Then Aaron the priest went up to Mount Hor at the command of the Lord, and died there in the fortieth year after the children of Israel had come out of the land of Egypt, on the first day of the fifth month. (39) Aaron was one hundred and twenty-three years old when he died on Mount Hor.

(40) Now the king of Arad, the Canaanite, who dwelt in the South in the land of Canaan, heard of the coming of the children of Israel.

(41) So they departed from Mount Hor and camped at Zalmonah. (42) They departed from Zalmonah and camped at Punon. (43) They departed from Punon and camped at Oboth. (44) They departed from Oboth and camped at Ije Abarim, at the border of Moab. (45) They departed from Ijim and camped at Dibon Gad. (46) They moved from Dibon Gad and camped at Almon Diblathaim. (47) They moved from Almon Diblathaim and camped in the mountains of Abarim, before Nebo. (48) They departed from the mountains of Abarim and camped in the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho. (49) They camped by the Jordan, from Beth Jesimoth as far as the Abel Acacia Grove in the plains of Moab.

(50) Now the Lord spoke to Moses in the plains of Moab by the Jordan, across from Jericho, saying, (51) “Speak to the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When you have crossed the Jordan into the land of Canaan, (52) then you shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, destroy all their engraved stones, destroy all their molded images, and demolish all their high places; (53) you shall dispossess the inhabitants of the land and dwell in it, for I have given you the land to possess. (54) And you shall divide the land by lot as an inheritance among your families; to the larger you shall give a larger inheritance, and to the smaller you shall give a smaller inheritance; there everyone’s inheritance shall be whatever falls to him by lot. You shall inherit according to the tribes of your fathers. (55) But if you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall be that those whom you let remain shall be irritants in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall harass you in the land where you dwell. (56) Moreover it shall be that I will do to you as I thought to do to them.’ ”

NUMBERS 34 (CEV) – 6:17
Numbers, chapter 34. (1) The Lord told Moses (2) to tell the people of Israel that their land in Canaan would have the following borders:

(3) The southern border will be the Zin Desert and the northwest part of Edom. This border will begin at the south end of the Dead Sea. (4) It will go west from there, but will turn southward to include Scorpion Pass, the village of Zin, and the town of Kadesh-Barnea. From there, the border will continue to Hazar-Addar and on to Azmon. (5) It will run along the Egyptian Gorge and end at the Mediterranean Sea.

(6) The western border will be the Mediterranean Sea.

(7) The northern border will begin at the Mediterranean, then continue eastward to Mount Hor. (8) After that, it will run to Lebo-Hamath and across to Zedad, which is the northern edge of your land. (9) From Zedad, the border will continue east to Ziphron and end at Hazar-Enan.
(10) The eastern border will begin at Hazar-Enan in the north, then run south to Shepham, (11) and on down to Riblah on the east side of Ain. From there, it will go south to the eastern hills of Lake Galilee, (12) then follow the Jordan River down to the north end of the Dead Sea.
The land within those four borders will belong to you.

(13) Then Moses told the people, “You will receive the land inside these borders. It will be yours, but the Lord has commanded you to divide it among the nine and a half tribes. (14) The tribes of Reuben, Gad, and East Manasseh have already been given their land (15) across from Jericho, east of the Jordan River.”

(16) The Lord said to Moses, (17) “Eleazar the priest and Joshua son of Nun will divide the land for the Israelites. (18) One leader from each tribe will help them, (19-28) and here is the list of their names:

Caleb son of Jephunneh
from Judah,
Shemuel son of Ammihud
from Simeon,
Elidad son of Chislon
from Benjamin,
Bukki son of Jogli
from Dan,
Hanniel son of Ephod
from Manasseh,
Kemuel son of Shiphtan
from Ephraim,
Elizaphan son of Parnach
from Zebulun,
Paltiel son of Azzan
from Issachar,
Ahihud son of Shelomi
from Asher,
and Pedahel son of Ammihud
from Naphtali.”

(29) These are the men the Lord commanded to help Eleazar and Joshua divide the land for the Israelites.

NUMBERS 35 (NIV) – 8:40
Numbers, chapter 35. (1) On the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho, the Lord said to Moses, (2) “Command the Israelites to give the Levites towns to live in from the inheritance the Israelites will possess. And give them pasturelands around the towns. (3) Then they will have towns to live in and pasturelands for the cattle they own and all their other animals.

(4) “The pasturelands around the towns that you give the Levites will extend a thousand cubits from the town wall. (5) Outside the town, measure two thousand cubits on the east side, two thousand on the south side, two thousand on the west and two thousand on the north, with the town in the center. They will have this area as pastureland for the towns.

(6) “Six of the towns you give the Levites will be cities of refuge, to which a person who has killed someone may flee. In addition, give them forty-two other towns. (7) In all you must give the Levites forty-eight towns, together with their pasturelands. (8) The towns you give the Levites from the land the Israelites possess are to be given in proportion to the inheritance of each tribe: Take many towns from a tribe that has many, but few from one that has few.”

(9) Then the Lord said to Moses: (10) “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When you cross the Jordan into Canaan, (11) select some towns to be your cities of refuge, to which a person who has killed someone accidentally may flee. (12) They will be places of refuge from the avenger, so that anyone accused of murder may not die before they stand trial before the assembly. (13) These six towns you give will be your cities of refuge. (14) Give three on this side of the Jordan and three in Canaan as cities of refuge. (15) These six towns will be a place of refuge for Israelites and for foreigners residing among them, so that anyone who has killed another accidentally can flee there.

(16) “‘If anyone strikes someone a fatal blow with an iron object, that person is a murderer; the murderer is to be put to death. (17) Or if anyone is holding a stone and strikes someone a fatal blow with it, that person is a murderer; the murderer is to be put to death. (18) Or if anyone is holding a wooden object and strikes someone a fatal blow with it, that person is a murderer; the murderer is to be put to death. (19) The avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death; when the avenger comes upon the murderer, the avenger shall put the murderer to death. (20) If anyone with malice aforethought shoves another or throws something at them intentionally so that they die (21) or if out of enmity one person hits another with their fist so that the other dies, that person is to be put to death; that person is a murderer. The avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death when they meet.

(22) “‘But if without enmity someone suddenly pushes another or throws something at them unintentionally (23) or, without seeing them, drops on them a stone heavy enough to kill them, and they die, then since that other person was not an enemy and no harm was intended, (24) the assembly must judge between the accused and the avenger of blood according to these regulations. (25) The assembly must protect the one accused of murder from the avenger of blood and send the accused back to the city of refuge to which they fled. The accused must stay there until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the holy oil.

(26) “‘But if the accused ever goes outside the limits of the city of refuge to which they fled (27) and the avenger of blood finds them outside the city, the avenger of blood may kill the accused without being guilty of murder. (28) The accused must stay in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest; only after the death of the high priest may they return to their own property.

(29) “‘This is to have the force of law for you throughout the generations to come, wherever you live.

(30) “‘Anyone who kills a person is to be put to death as a murderer only on the testimony of witnesses. But no one is to be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.

(31) “‘Do not accept a ransom for the life of a murderer, who deserves to die. They are to be put to death.

(32) “‘Do not accept a ransom for anyone who has fled to a city of refuge and so allow them to go back and live on their own land before the death of the high priest.

(33) “‘Do not pollute the land where you are. Bloodshed pollutes the land, and atonement cannot be made for the land on which blood has been shed, except by the blood of the one who shed it. (34) Do not defile the land where you live and where I dwell, for I, the Lord, dwell among the Israelites.’”

NUMBERS 36 (NLT) – 13:28
Numbers, chapter 36. (1) Then the heads of the clans of Gilead—descendants of Makir, son of Manasseh, son of Joseph—came to Moses and the family leaders of Israel with a petition. (2) They said, “Sir, the Lord instructed you to divide the land by sacred lot among the people of Israel. You were told by the Lord to give the grant of land owned by our brother Zelophehad to his daughters. (3) But if they marry men from another tribe, their grants of land will go with them to the tribe into which they marry. In this way, the total area of our tribal land will be reduced. (4) Then when the Year of Jubilee comes, their portion of land will be added to that of the new tribe, causing it to be lost forever to our ancestral tribe.”

(5) So Moses gave the Israelites this command from the Lord: “The claim of the men of the tribe of Joseph is legitimate. (6) This is what the Lord commands concerning the daughters of Zelophehad: Let them marry anyone they like, as long as it is within their own ancestral tribe. (7) None of the territorial land may pass from tribe to tribe, for all the land given to each tribe must remain within the tribe to which it was first allotted. (8) The daughters throughout the tribes of Israel who are in line to inherit property must marry within their tribe, so that all the Israelites will keep their ancestral property. (9) No grant of land may pass from one tribe to another; each tribe of Israel must keep its allotted portion of land.”

(10) The daughters of Zelophehad did as the Lord commanded Moses. (11) Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Noah all married cousins on their father’s side. (12) They married into the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph. Thus, their inheritance of land remained within their ancestral tribe.

(13) These are the commands and regulations that the Lord gave to the people of Israel through Moses while they were camped on the plains of Moab beside the Jordan River, across from Jericho.

COMMENTS – 15:29
In chapter 35 of Numbers, we heard about something that to our 21st century western culture minds sounded kind of foreign, the concept of cities of refuge. But in the culture of Israel when these words were written, it was something that was needed. Each family group had an avenger who would carry out the Genesis 9:6 proclamation which says, “Whoever sheds man’s blood, by man his blood shall be shed; for in the image of God, God made man.”

Well here in numbers 35, a detailed plan was shown that dealt with a situation where a person committed a killing that was accidental and not premeditated murder, and where they could find a place of safety from that family avenger. I don’t need to review the details of the plan here because we just heard them, but what I want to do is show how this concept of the refuge cities is a foreshadowing or type of Jesus.

First, there are many scriptures that refer to God as being a refuge. Here’s a few:

Psalm 46:1 says, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Psalm 91:2, “I will say to the Lord, my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.”

Psalm 18:2, “The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and my horn of salvation, my stronghold.”

And one from the New Testament, Hebrews 6:18, “That by two immutable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.”

So where do we flee for refuge? To Jesus.

Cities of refuge were located throughout Israel so that those who needed refuge would be able to easily make their way to them. And Jesus is only a prayer away.

Cities of refuge were open to anyone, not just the Jew, but to all. Jesus came that anyone who asks will find salvation.

Cities of refuge were places where the one in need could live permanently. A relationship with Jesus is eternal.

Cities of refuge were the only place a person could find safety. Without them death was sure. And only in Jesus do we find eternal life.

Outside of the cities of refuge, there was no protection. Outside of Jesus, there is no salvation.

Only when the high priest died was the person freed from the threat of death by the avenger. Jesus, our high priest, died on a cross to bring our freedom.

And there’s one huge difference between cities of refuge and Jesus. You had to be innocent to live in a city of refuge. Jesus accepts the guilty and removes all guilt in sin.

Beloved, that is cause to sing hallelujah and say amen. Jesus is the only way to freedom, to peace, to live with the assurance that we will never have to pay the penalty for our transgressions, if we have confessed our need of Him and invited him to be our Savior and accepted his gift of salvation.

Jesus is our refuge.

What are your thoughts? I love to hear. Go to lifespringmedia.com/s12e285. Tomorrow is History Tuesday. We’ll read 2 Chronicles 16 through 20.

Boost!

VALUE-FOR-VALUE – 19:02
Boostagram. Yeah, boostagram. I got a couple of boostagrams today from Sean of San Pedro. He sent in two boostagrams. Both were for 1,234 sats, 1-2-3-4. The first one said, ”Saturday boost” and the second one said—guess–yeah ”Sunday boost”. Shawn boosts at least 1234 sats every day in addition to streaming some sats while he listens to the show. Plus he does the chapters for every episode. Sean, buddy, I don’t know what I’d do without you. But thank you so much for your time, talent and treasure. God bless you. If you get anything from the Lifespring Family Audio Bible, you might consider supporting the show. Go to lifespringmedia.com/support. It’s all about value-for-value. Whatever value you put on it. I would ask you to return a part of that to me at lifespringmedia.com/support.

ON THIS DATE IN CHURCH HISTORY – 20:04
On this date in church history, June 13, 1793, English missions pioneer William Carey set sail for India on this day. Within five years he translated nearly the entire Bible into Bengali. Today he’s acclaimed as the Father of Modern Missions.

And on this date in church history, 1972, June 13, American Presbyterian apologist Francis Schaeffer exhorts in a letter, “As Christians we are called upon to exhibit the character of God. And this means the simultaneous exhibition of his holiness and His love.”

PRAISE REPORT – 20:46
Well, I tell you what. You are listening to a very excited, happy and thankful grandpa right now. Penelope Mae Webb was born on Sunday, June 12, 2022 at 5:45pm Eastern Time. According to the brand new daddy, mom and baby are both doing very well and they’re happy and healthy. I’ve gotta say sitting here 2,449 miles–yes, I looked it up–from their home in Florida. I feel like hopping on the next plane to meet little Penny. As it is, they’re planning to come out here in September, but I don’t know if I can wait that long. Timothy is our youngest son, and for some reason my emotions with the arrival of this newest Webb are just bubbling right over. Maybe it’s the distance, I don’t know. I’ve never had a grandchild born this far away from me. I’ve always been within 20 miles or so when we heard of the birth. Penny weighed 6 pounds and 15 ounces, and she was even able to get a meal without much problem. So we’re very thrilled. The whole family is rejoicing at God’s great gift and his care over both Valerie and Penelope May. And he is so good. Hallelujah. Praise the Lord.

CLOSING PRAYER – 21:52
So let’s pray. Our Heavenly Father, we thank you, first, for being our refuge. You’re always there when we need you, and we’re safe in your care. We praise you, Lord. And I thank you and I praise You for this new life. Thank you for watching over Valerie and Penny through the pregnancy and the birth. You’ve given us a great gift, Lord, and I pray that you will continue to have your hand on Penelope, and Valerie and Timothy. May their home be full of love and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Help Valerie and Tim as they learn how to care for Penny and help Penny as she adjusts to life in the world. May this new little family form lifelong bonds with one another as they get to know each other over the next several days, and give mom and dad wisdom as they navigate new waters as parents and continue to build their own relationship with each other. Help them to keep you at the center of everything they do. And help them to show Penny that you are the God who created her and who loves her.

I thank you for the Lifespring family, Lord. Bless and keep each one I pray in Jesus name. Amen.

Well, if you’d like to join me in praising if you’ve got a praise you want to share with a Lifespring family or if you’ve got a prayer request, please go to prayer.lifespringmedia.com and fill out the form you find there. I’ll pray for you, and I’ll praise with you in my private time. And we’ll pray together and praise together on the show, prayer.lifespringmedia.com.

OUTRO S12E285 – 23:25
Share the show. Let people know what we’re doing here. Comment at lifespringmedia.com/s12e285. I’m losing my voice. Send me an email at st***@*************ia.com. Thanks to my team, Kirsty, Sean of San Pedro and Denise. You guys are such great help to me.

Thanks to those of you that faithfully stream sats and boosts and thank you specifically for Sean of San Pedro today.

And beloved, thank you for having me into your life today. I appreciate you. I don’t know what I would do without you. And I thank God for you. Support the show, please, at lifespringmedia.com/support.

And until tomorrow, may God bless you richly. My name is Steve Webb.

Bye.

THE HAPPY BIRTHDAY SONG – 24:06
Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you! Happy birthday to you!

Transcribed by https://otter.ai
Corrected by Denise