Cities of Refuge | Part 9, Volume 1

As we travel with the resurrected Christ Jesus to the next refuge city, we need to cross the Jordan River to reach Shechem on the west bank. Crossing the Jordan River was easiest near the southern part of the Sea of Galilee because it wasn’t as wide as the southern Jordan near the Dead Sea. During this period, bridges were absent, so people crossed at “fords,” which were narrow, shallow parts of the river that made crossing easier. There were approximately 40 “fords” in this region near Beth Shean. There is a crossing to Shechem that is closer to Gilead, but it would exclude the entire tribe of Manasseh. Remember that this tribe had settled on both sides of the Jordan River. Manasseh’s father, Joseph, gave his firstborn son this name as a sign that he would forget all the trials and trauma he had gone through because of the blessings he had from God, gifting him with a son. 

For us in our journey with Christ and reclaiming the surrendered ground the enemy thought he had stolen, we too must travel the “kings’ highway” with our new identity in Christ, forgetting our past. Crossing the Jordan River has spiritual significance: baptism, rebirth, and a new beginning. Our life journey has many seasons of rebirth; it’s not a one-time deal. We have the initial awakening to being a child of God, but then we must learn what that means for growing AS a Divine Oneness in Christ in the world system. We find that Jesus was prophesied over as a baby at the Feast of Passover, but it wasn’t until He was twelve that He experienced a rite of passage as a son being in “His Father’s House.” Even though He was born as the Son of God in Bethlehem, Jesus had to grow strong in Spirit with wisdom and grace (Luke 2).

Let’s remember that these six refuge cities were for both the tribes of Israel, the Gentiles, and any foreigner passing through. These cities were accessible to everyone from everywhere. The roads leading to the cities were well marked and kept in good condition by the Levitical priests for any fugitive. The gates were always open day or night, and no one was allowed to obstruct the progress of the fugitive’s journey to a refuge city. At every crossing along the way, there would be markers saying ‘Refuge’ and pointing the way, easy to read even if the person was running for his life.  

The city of Beth Shean means “A house of rest and quiet.”

Recapping our journey so far, our first refuge city was Kedesh, signifying our righteousness in Christ. Our sinful consciousness has denied us who we truly are before we were conceived in our mother’s womb. The law stated that the male child who opens the womb is Holy (Luke 2:23). The first Adam in Genesis was not created from a woman's womb, but from the dust of the ground. He was also created as one human, both male and female. Jesus was born of a woman, restoring the holiness of all humanity in both men and women. 

Our second city was Golan, which means “a circle,” signifying that we now have everlasting life. Jesus tells us in John 17 that eternal life is knowing Him. It isn’t about going to heaven but about knowing in our hearts that we have Christ's life in us today.

Our third city was Ramoth, which means “heights.” We are no longer living our lives trying to hang on till we die and then cross over to heaven, but as new creations in Christ, we rise above worldly issues, developing the wisdom and grace of God as we are led by the Holy Spirit.

We were on the “king’s highway” from Golan to Ramoth, but we did not understand what the journey was all about. Our hearts were just trying to get to a destination, hungry for food, but we couldn’t tell you what the seasonings were in the dish. This is what we often do as Esau did, selling his birthright for something to eat. “Now Jacob cooked a stew; and Esau came in from the field, and he was weary.  And Esau said to Jacob, “Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am weary.” Therefore, his name was Edom. But Jacob said, “Sell me your birthright as of this day.” And Esau said, “Look, I am about to die; so, what is this birthright to me?” Then Jacob said, “Swear to me as of this day.” So, he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Jacob. And Jacob gave Esau bread and stew of lentils; then he ate and drank, arose, and went his way. Thus, Esau despised his birthright” (Genesis 25:29-34 NKJV).

Many of our birthright promises are given to us during our season in Ramoth. Walking them out takes practicing being led by the Holy Spirit, and the washing of our feet by the Jordan River crossing. “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come from God and was going to God, rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself. After that, He poured water into a basin and began to wash the disciples’ feet, and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded. Then He came to Simon Peter. And Peter said to Him, “Lord, are You washing my feet?” Jesus answered and said to him, “What I am doing you do not understand now, but you will know after this.” Peter said to Him, “You shall never wash my feet!” Jesus answered him, “If I do not wash you, you have no part with Me.” Simon Peter said to Him, “Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head!” Jesus said to him, “He who is bathed needs only to wash his feet, but is completely clean; and you are clean, but not all of you.” For He knew who would betray Him; therefore He said, “You are not all clean.” (John 13:3-11 NKJV).

 The crossing of the Jordan River in this area is not a challenge, for the river is shallow and narrow, and there are many places to cross. Spiritually, it is not a hardship to live our life as a new creation in Christ. The challenges we may encounter are the lies that religion has tried to hold us in slavery with. Religion knows the Scriptures as law, but with no anointing of the Holy Spirit. The river waters are to cleanse the path we have been on, refresh our bodies, and renew our spirits. In Ezekiel chapter 47, we read a prophetic vision and a conversation Ezekiel has with God about these waters. Read the chapter and pay attention to the symbolism used in his vision.

After we have crossed, we find peace that surpasses our understanding. Jesus Christ is our PEACE in the oneness of where we are, not only our friend and brother in Christ, but the lover of our souls. This land west of the Jordan belongs to the tribe of Manasseh. There is a double portion of blessings for Joseph's firstborn. However, to obtain the tribal inheritance, a great battle takes place in these lands. Remember, we are focused on ruling and reigning with Jesus Christ and reclaiming our inheritance on earth. Most believers are content to cross over the Jordan a second time and rest, but as royal leaders while in our natural bodies, we have a responsibility to take back all that the enemy stole in the earth. This battle is known as Armageddon and fought in the Valley of Jezreel. Theologians interpret Revelation 16 as depicting the ultimate showdown between God and Satan. However, this view risks undermining the significance of Jesus' cross and resurrection. It suggests that the work on the cross was incomplete, requiring Jesus to return to finish what had been started.

Paul talks about this in Colossians. “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him, who is the head of all principality and power” (Colossians 2:8-10 NKJV).

He’s referring to those who know the Scriptures yet use them to justify the idea that we are sinners saved by grace, receiving a little of our inheritance now and the rest when we die and leave this planet. The concept of sin or sinner is not about worldly things we should do or say but about living a lie that religion has created from partial truths of Scripture. We did not choose God to be our Father, but He chose us before the world’s foundation. He has always been the Father of all humanity, making us children of God with His DNA, His Name, and the ability to function in our natural bodies with His nature, just as Jesus did before the cross.