0449. The Fool Who Dies Outside the City of Refuge

The Fool Who Dies Outside the City of Refuge

"And the king lamented over Abner, and said, Died Abner as a fool dieth? Thy hands were not bound, nor thy feet put into fetters: as a man faileth before wicked men, so fellest thou" (2Sa_3:33).

The story of the death of Abner is familiar to most of us. Abner was housed in one of Israel’s cities of refuge. While there he was safe. Joab, who was the leader of David’s armies, came along, and, feigning friendship for Abner, called him forth outside the city. Abner stepped out to speak with Joab, and Joab slew him there with a sword.

The lesson for us is this:

1. There is a refuge for us in Christ Jesus. The cities of refuge all typed our Lord Jesus, as a Saviour of men. Just as the city of refuge gave shelter and succor to those who entered them, against any pursuer; just as the ark gave Noah and his household refuge from the ravages of the flood; so does Christ give refuge to those who fly to Him for help.

"Rock of Ages, cleft for me, Let me hide myself in Thee, Let the water and the Blood, From Thy riven side which flowed, Be of sin a double cure, Save from wrath and make me pure."

2. No matter how many cities of refuge there were, one outside the city gates was wholly unsafe. And what good is the salvation that there is in Christ, unless one receives Him.

"I am the Door, by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved." But, we must enter in.

3. The one who is pursued, the one who has an enemy and refuses or neglects to enter into the refuge is a fool. Abner stood without, and died. How many there are who die, as fools die. They knew that satan was close upon them, they knew that Jesus Christ was a shelter from satan’s wrath, and yet they entered not.

The storm is raging, and just at hand is a shelter from the storm, then why not enter in?

"There is a gate that stands ajar,

And, through its portals gleaming,

A radiance from the land afar,

A Saviour’s love revealing.

Oh, depths of mercy can it be,

That gate was left ajar for me."

Autor: R.E. NEIGHBOUR