Giants in the Earth
Part ix
— The Cities of Refuge —
Part 2 and Part 3Â
Part 2
  Part 2 of section ix may appear to be a slight diversion from Giants in the Earth, but it is not. It is a very important section of Scripture for both the Jew and the Christian; therefore, I cannot simply go on with following the word ‘Kirjatharba’ and dismiss the rest of the Scriptures connected to the cities of refuge.
  A Bible study of any worth must proceed as the Spirit of God directs. There should not be time limitations or a preset direction placed on any study. (At least, things such as outlines have never worked for me because I never know where I will be going in my studies). I like to go where my heart takes me, and where my interests and curiosity lead because it is God the Holy Spirit who directs our interests and sets the path stones before us.
The preparations of the heart in man, and the answer of the tongue, is from the LORD. (Proverbs 16:1)
O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps. (Jeremiah 10:23)
A man’s heart deviseth his way: but the LORD directeth his steps. (Proverbs 16:9)
I have taught thee in the way of wisdom; I have led thee in right paths. (Proverbs 4:11)
  Thus the following verses of Joshua Chapter 20, verses 8 and 9 will be the center of our current study.
And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjatharba, which [is] Hebron, in the mountain of Judah. (Joshua 20:7)
And on the other side Jordan by Jericho eastward, they assigned Bezer in the wilderness upon the plain out of the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead out of the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan out of the tribe of Manasseh. (Joshua 20:8)
These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them, that whosoever killeth any person at unawares might flee thither, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stood before the congregation. (Joshua 20:9)
　 The Word Kirjatharba Recorded Six Times
The First Mention: And Sarah died in Kirjatharba; the same [is] Hebron in the land of Canaan: and Abraham came to mourn for Sarah, and to weep for her. (Genesis 23:2) Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â
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The Second Mention: And the name of Hebron before [was] Kirjatharba; [which Arba was] a great man among the Anakims. And the land had rest from war. (Joshua 14:15)
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The Third Mention: And Humtah, and Kirjatharba, which [is] Hebron, and Zior; nine cities with their villages: (Joshua 15:54)
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The Fourth Mention: And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjatharba, which [is] Hebron, in the mountain of Judah. (Joshua 20:7)
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⇒ THE CURRENT STUDY  Â
The Fourth Mention and continuation of the cities of refuge. And they appointed Kedesh in Galilee in mount Naphtali, and Shechem in mount Ephraim, and Kirjatharba, which [is] Hebron, in the mountain of Judah. (Joshua 20:7)
And on the other side Jordan by Jericho eastward, they assigned Bezer in the wilderness upon the plain out of the tribe of Reuben, and Ramoth in Gilead out of the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan out of the tribe of Manasseh. (Joshua 20:8)
These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel, and for the stranger that sojourneth among them, that whosoever killeth any person at unawares might flee thither, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood, until he stood before the congregation. (Joshua 20:9)
The Fifth Mention: And Judah went against the Canaanites that dwelt in Hebron: (now the name of Hebron before [was] Kirjatharba:Â ) and they slew Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai. (Judges 1:10)
The Sixth and Last Mention: And for the villages, with their fields, [some] of the children of Judah dwelt at Kirjatharba, and [in] the villages thereof, and at Dibon, and [in] the villages thereof, and at Jekabzeel, and [in] the villages thereof, (Nehemiah 11:25)
I suggest that you start at the beginning if you have never been to this site or series before. Since this is an on going series you will be totally lost unless you play catch up (or maybe not ).
https://thegenesisepic.com/giants-in-the-earth-part-i/　
   There now, after 2 pages, we finally got all that introduction stuff out of the way . . . let’s begin. The places of refuge were located in six of the tribes of Israel, three cities west of the Jordan, and three cities east of the Jordan, thus accessible to all seeking shelter. The tribe of Reuben was the furthest south of the eastward tribes, directly east of the Dead Sea, then Gad north of Reuben, and Manasseh was the furthest tribe north in the area connected to what is known to us as part of the Golan Heights.
Bezer
  The first city mentioned on the eastside of Jordan was Bezer in the wilderness upon the plain out of the tribe of Reuben. The following reference is a partial selection from Jacob’s prophecy concerning Reuben, his first born. Gather yourselves together, and hear, ye sons of Jacob; and hearken unto Israel your father. (Genesis 49:2) Reuben, thou art my firstborn, my might, and the beginning of my strength, the excellency of dignity, and the excellency of power.
  Following the various root meanings of Bezer is extremely interesting: Bezer means ‘munitions’ as in powerfully strong, it also denotes a walled or inaccessible fortification; it is also rooted in the word ‘ore’ as in ‘gold or silver,’ but another intriguing root comes from the word ‘vintage’ such as (and here it is . . . a clipping, not just any clipping, but specifically noted from a grape vineyard, or a grape gatherer). Since we are approaching these cities of refuge and safety as a type of Christ, can we begin to see in this name of Bezer aspects of not only who He is, but what He is to both the Jew and to the stranger that sojourneth among them, (the Gentile). This is where you (the reader) can develop your own direction of Bible study — follow the breadcrumbs on your own. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. (Matthew 28:18) I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. (Revelation 3:18) He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken. (Isaiah 53:8) I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. (John 15:1) Our Lord and our Savior, our God and our Protector (the Lord of glory, the Lord Jesus Christ) is all powerful, more precious than gold, and He is all that is Bezer. And he said, The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; (2 Samuel 22:2) But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble. (Psalm 59:16) My fruit [is] better than gold, yea, than fine gold; and my revenue than choice silver. (Proverbs 8:19)
  Within Bezer we have a type of Christ as our refuge and safety as a beacon of grace (the number five) to the Jew and to the stranger. It is note worthy that Bezer is mentioned five times in the Scriptures.
  Sometimes following these root meanings can become mind-boggling. Bezer is the only location where the Spirit of God denotes in a particular description (unlike all the other five cities) as being in the wilderness upon the plain. This city was located in a remote area on the other side of the Jordan. For the person who was running from the avenger it must have been a dangerous journey indeed. The Holy Spirit of God describes this approach to Bezer as a ‘wilderness’ filled with dangers and situated in the wilderness upon a plain. Visualize a landscape of rocks, ragged canyon-like walls, arid and sparse vegetation, treacherous crevices (a rock climbers challenge), and after all that, there is the open plain where there is no place to hide. To finally arrive at the fortress of Bezer was quite a formidable journey for anyone on the run when approaching from the west and from the Jordan which was the primary way for those in Israel. Approaching from the northeast or directly from the east was geographically not as treacherous as the western approach, thus, this became the traders or caravan routes into the tribal areas of Reuben.
  The wilderness is the place where many Christians become feeble from lack of nourishment from those who are unable and unwilling to give them food and fresh life giving water from the Word of God by the Holy Spirit of God. It is there in the wilderness where cliffs of confusion overtake the child of God. It is in this pagan church wilderness where those seeking refuge remains lost in their unbelief because the seekers look to their religious leaders (Many pastors have destroyed my vineyard, they have trodden my portion under foot, they have made my pleasant portion a desolate wilderness – Jeremiah 12:10) instead of looking to the only One who can direct them to safety, and that is the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (John 14:6) Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: (John 11:25) He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (John 7:38) Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation. (Isaiah 12:3) For I will pour water upon him that is thirsty, and floods upon the dry ground: I will pour my spirit upon thy seed, and my blessing upon thine offspring: (Isaiah 44:3)
  The apostle Paul experienced the wilderness and the plain [In] journeyings often, [in] perils of waters, [in] perils of robbers, [in] perils by [mine own] countrymen, [in] perils by the heathen, [in] perils in the city, [in] perils in the wilderness, [in] perils in the sea, [in] perils among false brethren; (2 Corinthians 11:26)The plain may seem a place where one can rest and relax awhile from the many perils facing those who are born of the Spirit of God, but it is far more dangerous than the wilderness because it is in the plain that one become a visible target for the haters of God, and the ministers of Satan to attack the Christian openly. Christians are spiritual beings encompassed, but not trapped, in a brutally hostile physical realm screaming with hatred against God and against His Christ. They still cry today — Crucify him, crucify him. This is not a far-fetched statement, as I heard this same hatred uttered by a so-called self-proclaimed celebrity who said that if Christ was here on earth today she would gladly crucify Him again. Whenever you hear or read the words Crucify him, crucify him don’t immediately think only of the Jewish voices that cried out, but remember it was Roman (Gentile) hands that did the actual dirty deed. And here is the real kicker — don’t self righteously accuse only Jews because it was YOU and I who crucified Him, our sins led Him to the cross. It was our sins that kept Him on the cross. It was our sins that He bore on the cross. Adam put Him on the cross. All of humanity put Christ on the cross. WE crucified Him! The whole world stands guilty before a righteous God. Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man . . . (Romans 2:1)
Marvel not, my brethren, if the world hate you. (1 John 3:13)
If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. ( John 15:18)
Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. ( John 15:20)
Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. ( 2 Timothy 3:12)
Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but the LORD delivereth him out of them all. (Psalm 34:19)
  The perils of the wilderness and the perils of the plain are quite real for all the saved and all the unsaved whether Jew or Gentile. The strange part is that all of humanity lives in the wilderness of sin. The unsaved Jew lives in the witness of the wilderness of hate against their very being and against their nation of Israel. All unsaved (whether Jew or Gentile) live in the wilderness canyons of their sinful delusional minds.
For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. (Romans 1:16)
For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. (Romans 1:17)
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; (Romans 1:18)
Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. (Romans 1:19)
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: (Romans 1:20)
Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. (Romans 1:21)
Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, (Romans 1:22)
  God has not only given us the means to fight the spiritual battle, but He has provided the Perfect Leadership: the Lord Jesus Christ and the Spirit of God. We have the enemies battle plans, we possess the higher ground, we have proven weapons, we have two armies: the seen and the unseen. We know the end result is victory over sin and over death. Each of us has a direct line of communication with headquarters and control central. What more do we require and need? I’ll tell you what we need, and that is to remain focused on the One who placed us in this galactic battleground. We are not victims, we are overcomers because He overcame for us. That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. (1 Corinthians 2:5)
(For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds;) (2 Corinthians 10:4)
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. (Ephesians 6:10)
Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11)
For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (Ephesians 6:12)
Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (Ephesians 6:13)
Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; (Ephesians 6:14)
And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; (Ephesians 6:15)
Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. (Ephesians 6:16)
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: (Ephesians 6:17)
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; (Ephesians 6:18)
But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble. (Psalm 59:16)
I will say of the LORD, [He is] my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. (Psalm 91:2)
Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, [and] rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:19)
That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: (Hebrews 6:18)
  The following is a hymn written by J. N. Darby taken from ‘Hymns for The Little Flock’ #139 titled This World is a Wilderness Wide, and sung to the tune called Ebenezer.
.This world is a wilderness wide!
We have nothing to seek or to choose;
We’ve no thought in the waster to abide;
We’ve naught to regret or to lose.
—
The Lord is Himself gone before;
He has marked out the path that we tread:
It’s as sure as the love we adore,
We have noting to fear nor to dread.
—
There is but that one in the waste,
Which His footsteps have marked as His own;
And we follow in diligent haste
To the seats where He’s put on His crown.
—
For the path where our Saviour is gone
Has led up to His Father and God,
To the place where He’s now on the throne,
And His strength shall be ours on the road.
—
And with Him shall be our rest on high,
When in holiness bright we sit down,
In the joy of His love ever nigh,
In the peace that His presence shall crown.
—
‘Tis the treasure we’ve found in His love
That has made us now pilgrims below,
And ‘tis there, when we reach Him above,
As we’ve known, all His fulness we’ll know.
— The Six Cities of Refuge – Part 3 —
and Ramoth in Gilead out of the tribe of Gad,
and Golan in Bashan out of the tribe of Manasseh.
  The fifth city mentioned in the cities of refuge is Ramoth in Gilead out of the tribe of Gad. Ramoth is mentioned in eight verses in the Old Testament, but seven are direct references to the city of Ramoth; however, an interesting note is that five tie together Ramoth in Gilead, a specific place ‘in Gilead.’ This city is one city (not two cities) with two names connected to each other: Ramoth in Gilead, or Ramoth-Gilead. The notoriously evil husband of Jezebel, Ahab, succumbed to his wounds at the battle in Ramoth-Gilead. Of course, the city with two names has to have interesting roots: Ramoth means ‘height’ or ‘heights,’ ‘lifted up,’ or/and ‘high in value.’ Then Gilead is tied with something that is ‘rolled together,’ can be stone, or earth, or even billowing water, but I find that this concept of being ‘rolled together’ implies a lasting action, an everlasting achievement, it is a forever rolling action: not that it rolls forever, but the action of rolling is an everlasting accomplishment. I immediately visualize God’s government in ‘the wheel within a wheel.’ The strongest root meaning to Gilead, I believe, is ‘a witness, a testimony.’ The cohesiveness within the meaning of Gilead is the combination of the thoughts: as a wheel turns on an axis or a central point rolling all together as in a sphere, and in this action becomes a witness and a testimony of its Creator; thus, when joined or combined with the name of Ramoth becomes a witness and a testimony of the Highest Himself.
  We see an amazing connection to the Highest Himself by merely following Gilead through Scripture. This red thread (or should I write this ‘the red balm’) or this precious blood that flowed from His veins is the anointing oil of the balm of Gilead.
  Quick — what is the first thing that comes to mind whenever you hear the name of Gilead? Of course, it is ‘the balm of Gilead.’ I am not shifting gears here from Gilead to balm, but this is another connection to show the intricacies within the details in Scripture like little clues sprinkled as fine mist dropped from heaven above to refresh and to soothe us in our adventurous journey through God’s Word.
The Balm of Gilead
  I am not an arborist, I know nothing about aboriculture, but I will attempt to summarize what I have learned about balm, and especially the balm of Gilead. Balm is mentioned six times in Scripture. The first mention is found in Genesis 37:25 And they sat down to eat bread: and they lifted up their eyes and looked, and, behold, a company of Ishmeelites came from Gilead with their camels bearing spicery and balm and myrrh, going to carry [it] down to Egypt. In this recorded treacherous act by the brothers of Joseph plotting to sell him into the hands of traders of spices and men traders, we learn that these Ishmeelites had come from Gilead with spices, balm and myrrh.
Side Note: The Easy and Quick Sale: After placing Joseph in a pit his brothers saw a caravan of traders approaching and instead of killing Joseph (as they had initially planned) they decided to sell him, however, before they were able to return to the pit another caravan of Midianites merchantmen found Joseph and made a quick sale for twenty pieces of silver. (Genesis 37:23- 29)
  Gilead is connected with being suppliers of spice, balm, and myrrh. In that age, balm was a rare commodity. Balsam production was a long process from the first cut made into balsam trees to the last phase of collecting balsam sap. Tree farms or plantations built around the economy of balsam were huge money makers because balsam application had a universal appeal: perfume, medicinal, balsam oil for anointing, and it could even be used in warfare due to a highly inflammable ingredient (similar to ‘Greek fire’ even though Balsam resins were not ‘Greek fire’); however, because of its combustive nature it could not be used as fuel. Another interesting point of balm is in its color transformation. When the sap/resin first appears it is white, then as it flows and begins to harden it becomes amber in color, and at its highest degree of hardness and value it is red — blood red.
  Why write so much about balm production? because everything in Scripture is for our learning! The six cities of refuge are given to us to reveal the One who is our refuge. Each city presents a different perfection of who He is, and what He is. In Ramoth-Gilead we have His perfection of being the ultimate in His position as being the Highest Himself. In Ramoth-Gilead we have His perfection in being the ‘balm in Gilead’ — He is the witness of His perfection in being a sweet savor to God. (2 Corinthians 2:15; Exodus 29:18; Numbers 28:8; Ephesians 5:2) He is the testimony of God that He is the Sun of righteousness with healing in His wings. (Malachi 4:2; Luke 9:6) Christ is the holy anointing oil, beaten and pure and holy. (Exodus 30:31-37; 37:29; Hebrews 1:9) It was the Lord of Lords, and the King of Kings, Jesus Christ whose eyes were as a flame of fire. (Revelation 1:13, 14; 2:18). He is the balm of Gilead, in Him is the totality and perfection of Ramoth-Gilead; He is the Highest Himself.
  I have left much out, but I have to finish with the tribe of Gad, and Ramoth in Gilead out of the tribe of Gad. Gad was named A troop cometh because he was another son added to Jacob. And Zilpah Leah’s maid bare Jacob a son. (Genesis 30:10) And Leah said, A troop cometh: and she called his name Gad. (Genesis 30:11) The root meaning in Gad is contained in the expression of a multitude, a host, a crowd, an army, and beyond this: it has the connotation of an Overcomer. We (as Christians) are as the stars of heaven, and believing Jews (in the Old Testament) are as the sand of the seas.
And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth: so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. (Genesis 13:16)
Through faith also Sara herself received strength to conceive seed, and was delivered of a child when she was past age, because she judged him faithful who had promised. (Hebrews 11:11)
Therefore sprang there even of one, and him as good as dead, so many as the stars of the sky in multitude, and as the sand which is by the sea shore innumerable. (Hebrews 11:12)
These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. (Hebrews 11:13)
After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; (Revelation 7:9)
And I heard as it were the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying, Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth. (Revelation 19:6)
  I’d say that this description of the multitude in the book of the Revelation of Jesus Christ is a troop, wouldn’t you?
Golan
and Golan in Bashan out of the tribe of Manasseh
  The last city (the sixth) mentioned in the cities of refuge is Golan in Bashan. This should strike a cord in those who are politically aware of what has happened recently in the truthful News. (On March 25, 2019, the Golan Heights was recognized as the sovereign territory belonging to the nation of Israel by President Trump. This proclamation to recognize the Golan Heights as claimed by Israel was not only a confirmation of Israel’s possession in antiquity, but it also further established Israel’s right to this land after the victory over Syria in the Six-Day War in June 1967. As to be expected international law is a mishmash of legalese paid for by the highest bidder to interpret international law. Nevertheless, we must also add that Israel’s right to her own land is not merely based on historical possession, but it is based entirely on God and His promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Never leave God out of the equation whenever speaking about His people — for it is His people, and it is His land, and it is His alone to do whatever He desires to fulfill His holiness and righteousness. One of the many reasons that the Bible (the Word of God) is so hated and deliberately misquoted, and lied about is that evilness has to destroy the evidence, it has to remove the proof of a Sovereign God, and it has to shred the Title Deeds that belongs to the people of God.
And the LORD appeared unto Abram, and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him. (Genesis 12:7) In the same day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, Unto thy seed have I given this land, from the river of Egypt unto the great river, the river Euphrates: (Genesis 15:18) (Genesis 13:15; 17:8; Exodus 23:31; Numbers 34:3; Deuteronomny 1:7; 11:24; Joshua 1:4)
  I will not write about Bashan as this has already been covered in previous articles; therefore, let us move onto Golan. This name is marked by both a positive and negative meaning: it means captive and exile. Let me explain, as I researched Golan I discovered that it meant: ‘their captivity,’ and ‘their rejoicing.’ Now this is interesting because historically this region has been captured and recaptured many times. Many nations and power structures have fought over this piece of ground: in recorded history, Og of Bashan (an actual giant) of a race of giants ruled over this territory and was defeated by Joshua and the children of Israel (approximately 1452 B.C.) Then . . . then . . . in time . . . Israel became a divided nation, and Golan became a contested area for Syria, Lebanon, the Canaanites, the Amorites, the Arameans, the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Persians, the Greeks, the Itureans, the Romans, the Caliphate, the Turks, the Mongols, the Ottoman Turks, and even Russia. (Dating the conquests over this area of Golan is not cut and dry because each kingdom mentioned may have involved numerous conflicts and battles between opposing political and military forces engaged for decades or even centuries. Always keep in mind that not only the names of kingdoms changed and merged, but the peoples in this region of Golan changed and merged [almost always by force]). What a mess! Conflict after conflict, the very name of Golan is an expression of the embodiment of the turmoil that this land and its peoples have endured and are enduring this day.
  This land can also be seen as a spiritual expression of the condition of all mankind since the beginning of time in Adam. Since man (in Adam) was taken captive by sin, death and the devil, mankind has been in total conflict (inwardly and outwardly) battling the forces of evil around him, and the inner forces of a depraved nature within his DNA. Two opposing forces battle daily (not only for the territory of Golan) but for the souls of man. The last city mentioned is the reality of the physical battlefield and the reflection within the shadow of the unseen spiritual battlefield.
  What a way to close the list of the six cities of refuge — with Golan. Isn’t the Spirit of God the supernatural force of thoughts and words in power and in truth as He ends the cities of refuge with the one city that is the epitome of what mankind is — Golan? Captive to sin, captive to death, and captive to the devil, this is Golan, and this is mankind. The Spirit of God ends the list of the cities of refuge with Golan to reveal to us our true condition, and our true state and standing before a holy and righteous God. (For your further thought: these were six cities, remember that the number six is the number of man in his sin and depravity [6 – 6 – 6]).
  Joined with the negative of ‘captive’ and ‘their captivity’ is the positive of ‘their rejoicing’ and ‘exile.’ Can you see that in the name of Golan we have been set free from our captivity and have been presented with the experience of the exodus in being released from a land of enslavement over body, soul and spirit? The battle to retain Golan is a war that Israel cannot afford to lose, however, the battle over the souls of mankind is a battle that has already been won by our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Messiah.
Shake thyself from the dust; arise, [and] sit down, O Jerusalem: loose thyself from the bands of thy neck, O captive daughter of Zion. (Isaiah 52:2)
Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Ephesians 4:8)
And [that] they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. (2 Timothy 2:26)
And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (Colossians 2:15)
Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. (Galatians 5:1)
Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. (Romans 6:18)
But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. (Romans 6:22) For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. (Romans 8:2)
If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. (John 8:36)
Manasseh
  Are we there yet? Are we at the end of this long and tedious article? No . . . and no way! Let us now look at the name of Manasseh and Golan in Bashan out of the tribe of Manasseh. Couldn’t be a better ending even if I had planned it. Let’s read the first mention of this name and the meaning of this name. And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father’s house. (Genesis 41:51) Manasseh means ‘causing to forget.’ Perfect! The last word connected to the list of the cities of refuge is connected to forgetting the troubles, toils, and misery endured not only by Joseph, but since Joseph is a type of Christ, we can write that through Christ being our refuge and strength we (believers in the Lord Jesus Christ) can finally forget the troubles, toils and misery of our sin and rebellion against our holy and righteous God. (For your further individual study and consideration: the name of Manasseh in the New Testament is Manasses, and the last mention of this name appears in Revelation Chapter 7, verse 6, and it is the sixth name in this list of the tribes of Israel. It is also the only tribe that is mixed with the Gentiles because Manasseh’s mother was an Egyptian and his father, of course, was Joseph [a type of Christ]). The number six (the number of man) is written all over in this name.
  In the following verses God’s endearing love and mercy are offered to all: to the Jew and to the Gentile. The Old Testament and the New Testament is one book of One God with one message of One Savior, and He is our City of Refuge.
And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more. (Jeremiah 31:34)
And I will cleanse them from all their iniquity, whereby they have sinned against me; and I will pardon all their iniquities, whereby they have sinned, and whereby they have transgressed against me. (Jeremiah 33:8)
Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. (Micah 7:18) He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea. (Micah 7:19)
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but [this] one thing [I do], forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, (Philippians 3:13) I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 3:14)
For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more. (Hebrews 8:12)
And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. (Hebrews 10:17)
Summary
  Each city is named for a particular characteristic of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Anointed one of God, the Messiah. The Holy Spirit of God hammers out the beauty and perfection that are in our Lord Christ our Sanctuary. He is our Strength. His is our fellowship, and He is our communion. He is the Highest. He is the Perfection in the City of Refuge. He is the High Priest after the order and oath of Melchisedec who died to set us free. There is no other to run to, there is no other to lean on, there is no other to worship and adore. There is no other . . . He alone is our Refuge.
The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: (Deuteronomy 33:27a)
I will say of the LORD, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust. (Psalm 91:2)
Note: This ends our study of the six Cities of Refuge even though there is much more to learn about these six cities. Our next study will continue on with the fifth mention of Kirjatharba , the city of the giant, Arba. Giants in the Earth – Part x. And Judah went against the Canaanites that dwelt in Hebron: (now the name of Hebron before [was] Kirjatharba:Â ) and they slew Sheshai, and Ahiman, and Talmai. (Judges 1:10)
© Copyright 2019, Mary Haigh
Article may be used, but not for gain. Freely ye have received, freely give.
All Scripture references are from the Authorized King James Bible. (KJV)