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City of Refuge


When you hear the term “city of refuge” what does it make you think of? A place of comfort or shelter, a covering for those in danger or distress? When I was a kid growing up going to Living Word Christian Center, we sang a song called “City of Refuge” — for the broken hearted.  As I reflect back on the last few days & the things GOD’s been showing me (the storm, people running for cover and safety to no avail) I think about those people who are “lost” [who are hurting and don’t feel like they have anywhere to turn to]..and how such a place is needed for them.


I somehow feel that it’s one of the areas the “church” should be functioning in: caring for the widows & the homeless, as well as those who are “chosen”..those who find themselves without a home while on the path of obedience to what GOD has called them to do. While the church (as in the building) can’t function and facilitate everything, it is my belief that the “ecclessia”  (body of believers) church can birth out such ministries; where the Word is still being spoken but we’re doing more than that, by materializing the things the Lost & the Chosen need to find in “refuge”.


In Joshua 20, after the Israelites divide the land among the tribes, they establish areas where individuals who commit accidental murder can go for sanctuary while awaiting trial. These areas are called “Cities of Refuge”. While the [edifice] church holds a large amount of real estate, I’m not aware of how many actually function as a sanctuary for “refugees”, as opposed to just the sanctuary utilized for “praise  and worship”.


GOD has definitely been speaking to us about ministry, and He’s told us it won’t be in the traditional sense. With Him showing us certain areas (literally lands- cities, homes, etc) and us knowing based off the word in Haggai that the building of GOD’s temple should come before our own concerns [shelter or “home”] we’re still seeking His guidance and instructions on what this should look like and be carried out..but we know after the many trials He’s delivered us through how important having refuge is when you’re on the move for GOD, as well as when you’ve lost your way and are blindly searching for Him…



In asking my wife her thoughts on the same question, she shared this:



Reference Exodus 17:15-16


Anthony’s question of the day. He asked the question what comes to mind when I heard “City of Refuge”?


Me: “City of Peace, City of Safety, City that’s Covered…”


and as I’m typing this I’d like to add City of Hope…


The conversation continued and as Holy Spirit led us into one direction, I wanted to say Jehovah … Lord of Peace… but that wasn’t what came out. “Jehovah Nissi” but wait Shalom is “peace”, that’s not where I was going. So I quickly did a quick search to unclutter my thoughts. And as I suspected, while Jehovah Shalom is what I meant, that’s not where Holy Spirit wanted to direct our attention.


Exodus 17:15-16 says “And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah-nissi: for he said, Because the LORD hath sworn that the LORD will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.”


The translation of this name of God, to my surprise, is Jehovah or Yahweh = “The Lord” Nissi = “flee for REFUGE” …together to mean “The Lord My Refuge”! When I tell you I was beyond shocked (as I always am) when I saw Holy Spirit do it AGAIN! 😳😮‍💨🙌🏾


I knew and have heard, in other translations, Jehovah Nissi to mean “The Lord My Banner”, so I had to do further research. Follow me down the rabbit hole 🕳.  Another translation read “The Lord My Exaltation” from another definition of Nissi meaning to “hoist, lift up”.


So I wanted to know what does all this mean in regards to a “city of refuge”. The English definition of refuge is “a condition of being safe or sheltered from pursuit, danger, or trouble” and some synonyms are asylum, sanctuary,  port of storm, ark, haven, hiding place, retreat, and safe house.


A banner during that time was a sign of declaration of “allegiance to God, a nation

or an army. Banners helped lead the Israelites into battle. Ancient followers of Jehovah used banners to declare the majesty and glory of the Lord and to beckon the lost to His

safety.”


In Exodus, Moses builds and names the alter “Jehovah Nissi” to signify and celebrate the place of victory over the battle against the Amalekites. And the last thing I had to know to tie this all together was, “what does Amalek mean?” … Amalek were the people but the names in the Bible are always intentional. Amalek translates to “dweller in a valley”.


I finally found the rabbit in the rabbit 🐇 🕳… you can relate the valley to a place of doubt, depression, defeat, or any symbol of evil. In this event, God promises that the Amalekites will forever be a “loyal and committed enemy”of the Israelites, making them an enemy of GOD. Moses makes this alter as a reminder that The Lord as our banner, refuge, and exaltation will and forever be HIGHER than and VICTORIOUS over those things that keep you in the valley. Those things will FOREVER be enemies of GOD!! GOD, Our Lord and Savior is where we can and will always find peace, safety, your place of shelter, your hideaway from danger and trouble, and your safe haven.


The “city of refuge” is where you will find GOD after He has gone to battle and defeated your enemies. Where you have security and can find a sanctuary. And if you don’t see it, whether you’re Lost or whether you’re Chosen, look UP for the Banner where your safety and victory have already been established against your enemies.


Reference for more reading:


What are your thoughts when you hear "City of Refuge"? We'd like to hear!

 
 
 

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