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10月11日2026年
約書亞記 第20章：逃城的設立——公義中有憐憫，審判中有恩典
一、重點信息
約書亞記第20章記載，神吩咐約書亞設立「逃城」，讓那些無意中殺了人的人，可以逃到指定的城裡，暫時得到保護，免受報血仇的人追殺，直到案件經過審訊。
這章經文讓我們看見，神不但重視公義，也重視憐憫；祂既不容許罪惡被輕忽，也不容許無辜的人受到不公平的對待。
1. 神是公義的神，也滿有憐憫
神吩咐以色列人設立逃城，讓誤殺人的人有地方可以逃避追殺。這不是說殺了人就不用負責，而是要分清楚故意殺人與無意誤殺的分別，避免人因一時的憤怒而作出不公義的報復。
屬靈提醒： 我們有時很容易憑自己的感受去判斷別人，甚至因為憤怒而急於責備或報復。但神提醒我們，處理事情不可以單憑情緒，而要按真相、公義和憐憫去行。
當我們受到傷害時，可以向神傾訴，但不要讓憤怒控制自己；當別人犯錯時，也要學習分辨事情的真相，給予合宜的處理。
2. 逃城讓人有機會得到公平的審訊
約書亞記20章3至6節指出，誤殺人的可以逃到逃城，向城門口的長老陳明自己的事情，接受審查。如果他不是故意殺人，就可以留在城裡，直到站在會眾面前受審，或直到當時的大祭司去世。
這個安排顯示，神不容許人未經查證就隨意定別人的罪。即使有人受到傷害，報血仇的人也不能因此取代公正的審訊。
屬靈提醒： 我們聽到一件事情，不應該只聽一面之詞就下結論；看見別人的軟弱，也不應該立即定罪。
在教會生活中，弟兄姊妹之間難免有誤會、衝突和傷害。我們需要學習聆聽、查明事實、彼此勸勉，並且以愛心和真理處理問題。
公義不是沒有憐憫，憐憫也不是沒有原則。真正合神心意的處理，是既不偏袒，也不輕易定罪。
3. 逃城是神為軟弱的人預備的避難之所
約書亞記20章7至9節記載，以色列人分別設立六座逃城，分布在約旦河兩岸，讓以色列人、寄居者和外人都可以逃到那裡。
這些逃城不是只為某一個支派或某一類人而設，而是讓符合條件的人都可以得到保護。
這使我們看見，神顧念人的生命，也為有需要的人預備出路。
人生中，我們有時會因為自己的錯誤、別人的傷害，或無法控制的環境而感到恐懼、無助，甚至覺得自己無處可逃。
但神是我們可以投靠的主。當我們心裡煩亂、被罪疚感困住，或面對難以解決的困境時，可以來到祂面前，尋求赦免、安慰、智慧和引導。
神的憐憫不是叫我們逃避責任，而是讓我們在祂面前有機會面對錯誤、重新站起來，繼續走前面的路。
4. 大祭司的死與逃城的安排，提醒我們罪的嚴肅性
第6節提到，誤殺人的要留在逃城，直到大祭司去世，才可以回到自己的城和家中。
我們要先明白，這是神在舊約中為以色列社會所設立的特定律例，不能簡單地把它等同於新約的救恩教義。不過，從整本聖經來看，我們可以進一步思想：人的罪和生命所受的傷害都不是小事，而神卻為人預備了出路。
新約讓我們看見，耶穌基督是我們真正的避難所。祂為我們的罪付上代價，使我們可以藉著信靠祂，得著赦免，與神和好。
希伯來書6章18節提到，我們這些逃往避難所的人，可以大得勉勵。
因此，逃城可以幫助我們思想神的保護和恩典，但我們真正的救恩根基，是耶穌基督為我們所成就的救贖。
二、今天我們可以學到甚麼？
第一，不要輕易定別人的罪。
面對衝突時，先聆聽、查明事實，不要因一時憤怒而作出傷害別人的決定。
第二，學習在公義中活出憐憫。
對別人的錯誤要有合宜的態度，不縱容罪惡，也不以報復代替公義。
第三，遇到困難時投靠神。
不要讓恐懼、罪疚或煩躁控制我們。來到神面前，求祂賜下平安、智慧和力量。
第四，感恩基督為我們預備救恩。
我們不是靠自己的義來到神面前，而是靠耶穌基督的救贖，得著赦免和與神和好的恩典。
三、總結
約書亞記第20章提醒我們，神是一位公義而有憐憫的神。祂設立逃城，不是縱容罪惡，而是防止不公平的報復，保障人的生命，並讓事情得到合宜的處理。
今天，我們也要學習不輕易定罪、不被憤怒控制，在真理中持守公義，在愛中實踐憐憫。
當我們感到軟弱、害怕或心裡紛亂時，不要忘記，神是我們的避難所，而耶穌基督是我們救恩的根基。
四、禱告
親愛的天父，我們感謝讚美祢！
感謝祢藉著《約書亞記》第20章，讓我們看見祢是一位公義、聖潔，同時又滿有憐憫的神。祢知道人的軟弱，也知道人心裡的恐懼、憤怒和不安，所以祢為誤殺人的人設立逃城，使他們可以得到保護和公平的審訊。
主啊，求祢赦免我們，有時我們會憑自己的感受去判斷別人，未了解事情的真相，就急於批評、責備，甚至心存怨恨。求聖靈幫助我們，叫我們學習慢慢地聽，謹慎地說，不輕易發怒；使我們在真理中持守公義，在愛心中實踐憐憫。
主啊，當我們犯錯的時候，求祢賜我們一顆謙卑悔改的心，使我們不逃避責任，願意承認自己的過失，接受祢的管教，並靠著祢的恩典重新站起來。
當我們受到傷害、心裡有冤屈，或被別人的言語和行為困擾時，求祢成為我們的避難所。求祢安慰受傷的心，平息我們裡面的煩躁和紛亂，挪去不必要的恐懼，使我們不被憤怒和苦毒捆綁，反而能夠將一切交託給祢。
主耶穌，感謝祢為我們的罪付上代價，使我們可以藉著祢得蒙赦免，與天父和好。求祢幫助我們更加珍惜祢的救恩，常常住在祢的愛中，成為一個懂得憐憫別人、願意饒恕別人，又持守真理的人。
求主也看顧我們的教會和眾弟兄姊妹，使我們彼此相愛、彼此包容，在有分歧的時候願意聆聽，在有誤會的時候願意尋求和好，在軟弱的時候互相扶持。求祢保守我們的心思意念，使我們不被世上的紛擾奪去平安，反而在祢裡面得著安息。
願祢帶領我們每一天的生活，使我們所說的話、所作的事，都能彰顯祢的公義、慈愛和恩典。
禱告乃是奉主耶穌基督得勝的聖名祈求。
阿們！
October 11, 2026
Joshua Chapter 20: The Establishment of the City of Refuge—Mercy in Righteousness, Grace in Judgment
1. Key Information
Joshua chapter 20 records that God commanded Joshua to establish a ‘city of refuge,’ so that those who accidentally killed someone could escape to a designated city for temporary protection, protected from those who avenged their blood until the case was tried.
This chapter shows us that God values not only justice but also mercy; He neither allows sin to be ignored nor allows innocent people to be treated unfairly.
1. God is a just God and full of mercy
God commanded the Israelites to establish cities of refuge, so that those who killed by mistake could have a place to escape the pursuit. This does not mean that killing someone means no responsibility, but rather distinguishing between intentional and accidental killing, so that people do not resort to unjust revenge out of momentary anger.
Spiritual reminder: Sometimes we easily judge others based on our own feelings, and even rush to blame or retaliate out of anger. But God reminds us not to handle matters based solely on emotion, but to act according to truth, justice, and mercy.
When we are hurt, we can confide in God, but do not let anger control us; When others make mistakes, we must also learn to discern the truth and respond appropriately.
2. The city of escape gives people a chance to receive a fair trial
Joshua 20:3-6 points out that a man-killer may flee to the city of refuge and present his case to the elders at the city gate for investigation. If he did not kill intentionally, he could remain in the city until he stood before the congregation for trial, or until the high priest passed away.
This arrangement shows that God does not allow people to arbitrarily condemn others without verification. Even if someone is harmed, the one who avenges blood cannot replace a fair trial.
Spiritual reminder: When we hear something, we should not jump to conclusions based on just one side of the story; nor should we immediately condemn others when we see their weaknesses.
In church life, misunderstandings, conflicts, and hurt are inevitable among brothers and sisters. We need to learn to listen, clarify facts, encourage one another, and handle issues with love and truth.
Justice does not mean the absence of mercy, nor is mercy without principles. A truly pleasing approach is neither favoritism nor easy condemnation.
3. The city of escape is a refuge God has prepared for the weak
Joshua 20:7-9 records that the Israelites established six cities of refuge, distributed along both banks of the Jordan River, so that Israelites, sojourners, and outsiders could all escape there.
These cities of refuge are not designed for a single tribe or group of people, but to protect those who meet the requirements.
This shows us that God cares for human life and also prepares a way out for those in need.
In life, we sometimes feel fearful, helpless, or even feel trapped because of our own mistakes, others’ harm, or uncontrollable circumstances.
But God is the Lord we can rely on. When our hearts are troubled, trapped by guilt, or facing difficult difficulties, we can come to Him seeking forgiveness, comfort, wisdom, and guidance.
God’s mercy does not tell us to evade responsibility, but gives us the opportunity to face our mistakes before Him, stand up again, and continue on the path ahead.
4. The death of the high priest and the arrangement of the city escape remind us of the seriousness of sin
Verse 6 mentions that those who kill by mistake must remain in the city of refuge until the high priest dies, before returning to their city and home.
We must first understand that this is a specific statute established by God for Israelite society in the Old Testament, and cannot be simply equated with the doctrine of salvation in the New Testament. However, looking at the whole Bible, we can further consider: human sin and the harm suffered by life are not trivial, yet God has prepared a way out for people.
The New Testament shows us that Jesus Christ is our true refuge. He paid the price for our sins so that by trusting Him, we can receive forgiveness and be reconciled with God.
Hebrews 6:18 mentions that those of us who flee to refuge can be greatly encouraged.
Therefore, the city of refuge can help us reflect on God’s protection and grace, but the true foundation of our salvation is the redemption accomplished by Jesus Christ for us.
2. What can we learn today?
First, do not easily condemn others.
When facing conflict, first listen and clarify the facts; don’t make hurtful decisions out of anger.
Second, learn to live out mercy in justice.
We should have an appropriate attitude toward others’ mistakes, not tolerate evil, and do not replace justice with revenge.
Third, turn to God when facing difficulties.
Don’t let fear, guilt, or irritation control us. Come before God and ask for peace, wisdom, and strength.
Fourth, be thankful that Christ has prepared salvation for us.
We do not come before God by our own righteousness, but through the redemption of Jesus Christ, receiving forgiveness and the grace of reconciliation with God.
3. Summary
Joshua chapter 20 reminds us that God is a just and merciful God. He established the city of refuge not to indulge sin, but to prevent unjust retaliation, protect human life, and ensure things are handled properly.
Today, we must also learn not to condemn lightly, not to be controlled by anger, to uphold justice in truth, and to practice mercy in love.
When we feel weak, afraid, or confused in our hearts, do not forget that God is our refuge, and Jesus Christ is the foundation of our salvation.
4. Prayer
Dear Heavenly Father, we thank and praise You!
Thank You, through Joshua chapter 20, for showing us that You are a righteous, holy, and merciful God. You know human weakness, and also the fear, anger, and unease in people’s hearts, so You have established cities of refuge for man-killers, so they can be protected and tried fairly.
Lord, please forgive us. Sometimes we judge others based on our own feelings, rushing to criticize, blame, or even harbor resentment before understanding the truth. Ask the Holy Spirit to help us learn to listen slowly, speak cautiously, and not get angry easily; so that we may uphold righteousness in truth and practice mercy in love.
Lord, when we make mistakes, please grant us a humble and repentant heart, so that we do not shirk our responsibilities, are willing to admit our faults, accept Your discipline, and stand up again by Your grace.
When we are hurt, feel wronged in our hearts, or are troubled by others’ words and actions, please be our refuge. Comfort wounded hearts, calm our inner agitation and confusion, remove unnecessary fear, so that we are not bound by anger and bitterness, but instead can entrust everything to You.
Lord Jesus, thank You for paying the price for our sins so that through You we may be forgiven and reconciled with our Heavenly Father. Please help us cherish Your salvation even more, always dwell in Your love, and become people who know how to have mercy, are willing to forgive, and hold fast to the truth.
May the Lord also watch over our church and all our brothers and sisters, so that we may love and tolerate one another, be willing to listen when there are differences, seek reconciliation when there are misunderstandings, and support one another in times of weakness. Please guard our thoughts and minds, so that we are not taken away by worldly turmoil, but instead find rest in You.
May You guide our daily lives, so that the words we speak and the actions we do reflect Your justice, love, and grace.
Prayer is a request in the victorious holy name of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Amen!
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