Sermon Notes - Joshua 20 - Littleby Baptist Church - November 9, 2025

1.        The last couple of weeks we have been doing a bit of a sprint.

a.        Chapters Nine through Nineteen had a lot going on.

b.       At a cursory look one might think it was just a list of battles.

c.        Followed by a fair amount of real estate transactions for the different tribes.

d.       It could look like boring stuff.

2.        The reality is, we were witnessing God being faithful.

a.        A common theme throughout Joshua.

b.       He was fulfilling His promise to His people.

c.        He worked in amazing way after amazing way, giving the land to Abraham’s descendants.

d.       Just like He promised.

e.        Just like a faithful God would.

3.        Whether it was God fighting for the people.

a.        Or Him handing them the promised land.

b.       We have seen several examples of God’s faithfulness.

c.        Which is something that we can hold on to.

d.       Something to remember when we are facing our own challenges.

e.        Our God is faithful.

f.          We may not always see it.

g.        Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob did not see God fulfill His promise.

h.        But God was still faithful.

4.        We may not see the results of God working in our situations.

a.        But He is faithful to do what He has promised.

b.       To be with us.

c.        To never leave us.

d.       To provide a path to eternity in His presence.

e.        Our God is more faithful than we may realize.

5.        Our God is an awesome God.

6.        As we pick up in Joshua we come to the appointing of the cities of refuge.

a.        This is something that God told Moses that would need to be done.

b.       Numbers 35:6

7.        Joshua 20:1-2

a.        God speaks to Joshua.

b.       Telling him to remind the people of what was already commanded of them.

c.        This is not a new instruction.

d.       It is something they should be expecting.

e.        Joshua 1:7

f.          Observe the whole instruction.

g.        The parts you like, getting the new land from wicked people.

h.        Even the parts you may not like, such as giving up cities so that those who have killed someone have a place to go.

i.          But they are to honor God’s commands.

8.        I suspect if we are honest with ourselves.

a.        There are parts of the Bible that we don’t like as much as others.

b.       Those parts that step on our toes.

c.        Maybe those parts that tell us our sin is just as bad as the sin of those who are out ‘there’.

d.       2 Timothy 3:16-17

e.        All Scripture.

f.          Not just our favorite verses.

g.        Not just the verses that are catchy.

h.        Not just those that make us feel good.

i.          But every single Word written in the Bible.

j.          Every lesson we are to learn.

k.        All of it.

l.          Whether it is a hard pill to swallow or not.

m.     Is needed.

n.        We need the entire Word of God.

9.        Joshua 20:3

a.        We might question if it was an accident or unintentional, why would they need a place to run to?

b.       In Israel society, the Avenger of Blood was charged with restoring balance for the family.

c.        If someone had committed premeditated murder against a family member.

d.       The Avenger of Blood is the person who is charged with bringing that person to justice.

e.        Justice would be a quick death.

f.          If someone killed someone by accident.

g.        The Avenger of Blood was not charged with investigating the cause.

h.        There was no crime scene investigation.

i.          Their job was retribution.

j.          There is high likelihood that people would be killed for accidents.

k.        Enough of a chance that God put a plan in place.

l.          Having safe havens established would allow those who accidently kill someone a chance at safety.

m.     A chance to make their case.

n.        God put a plan in place to save the innocent.

10.   Joshua 20:4

a.        God has this all planned out.

b.       The first step is for the person accused of killing someone to reach the city.

c.        And then state his or her case.

d.       Then those in the city are to provide him shelter until the Avenger of Blood accuses them.

11.   Joshua 20:5

a.        God’s command is clear.

b.       Don’t hand the person over.

c.        There is a process that must be followed.

12.   Joshua 20:6

a.        There are two main events in this verse.

b.       The first is a trial.

c.        The second is the death of the High Priest.

d.       It is not clear where the trial will take place.

e.        Those of the city of refuge are to protect the accused.

f.          But when we look at Numbers.

g.        Numbers 35:22-25

h.        When we piece these together.

i.          After the trial, the individual is to be returned to the city of refuge.

j.          Sounds like the trial is being held somewhere else.

k.        Likely in the town where the accident happened.

l.          Then they would be returned if they were found to be innocent.

m.     If they are found guilty at the trial, retribution is had.

13.   If innocent, once they returned to the city of refuge they had to stay there.

a.        Until the death of the high priest.

b.       If the high priest died a week later, they could go home and the avenger of blood had to leave them alone.

c.        If the high priest died 30 years later.

d.       They had to stay the entire time.

14.   Safety had a stipulation.

15.   Numbers 35:26-29

a.        Even if proven innocent.

b.       They were not to leave the city of refuge.

c.        No going home to visit Mom.

d.       No getting out for good behavior.

e.        Stay until the death of the high priest.

f.          If they left early and were caught, they could be killed.

g.        Some never left the cities of refuge they entered.

h.        But they were given life.

i.          They were shown grace.

16.   Joshua 20:7-8

a.        Six cities were set aside as refuge cities.

b.       Which was the initial part of the Levites inheritance.

17.   Joshua 20:9

a.        There is one difference here in Joshua that you won’t find in Numbers or Deuteronomy.

b.       In this verse we see for the first time that the cities of refuge are for Israelites as well as aliens residing among them.

c.        If we think about the recent history of the people.

d.       That would include the Gibeonites.

e.        Those that the tribes did not expel from their lands.

f.          Even Rahab and her family.

g.        God was providing for all in need.

h.        He was providing Hope to those who would need it.

18.   God provides for those in need.

19.   Psalm 46:1

a.        He is our refuge in our time of need.

b.       He is a faithful God.

c.        When someone feels like there is no way.

d.       God does provide a way.

20.   Hebrews 6:17-20

a.        Whether we are looking at the Old Testament or the New.

b.       God is unchangeable.

c.        And His purpose is unchangeable.

d.       Our God is a faithful God.

e.        In Joshua we saw that He provided a way for those without hope to reclaim the hope they lost.

f.          To have a chance at life.

21.   That message has not changed.

a.        The method has.

b.       We no longer have to run to a city of refuge for hope.

c.        We no longer have to be judged by men or priests for them to determine if we are innocent or not.

d.       We don’t need to hide out in one place waiting for someone else to die.

22.   Instead we have Jesus.

a.        Jesus offers us refuge.

b.       He knows that we are sinners.

c.        He knows that we are lost without Him.

d.       But He is still offering us an amazing gift.

e.        A gift of Hope.

f.          A gift of Life.

g.        A gift that He is giving freely because He has already died to set us free.

23.   Jesus is offering it to us.

a.        All we have to do is seize it.

b.       To accept the amazing gift.

c.        Believing that He is God.

d.       That He died for our sins.

e.        And that He is offering us a new life.

24.   Romans 8:1-2

a.        Jesus is our high priest.

b.       He has already died and paid the price.

c.        If we repent of our sins and turn to Him.

d.       We no longer face condemnation.

e.        We no longer face eternal judgement.

f.          We are free from our chains.

g.        Free from our sin.

h.        We get to spend our forever with God.

25.   God was faithful to provide hope to those in need in Israel.

26.   God is faithful by provide hope to us through the Lord and Savior Jesus.

27.   If you do not know Jesus, this morning.

a.        He is inviting you to accept His gift.

b.       Take it.

c.        Let Him give you peace and hope.

d.       Let Him free you from your sins.

e.        If that is you this morning.

f.          I would love to talk with you.