God a Refuge

    GOD A REFUGE.

    "The eternal God is thy Refuge" &c. De 33:27.

    "God is our Refuge and Strength," &c. Ps 46:1.

    IN these, and many other texts, God is called a Refuge. To the clearer understanding of which we shall,

    1. Show the import and signification of the word.

    2. Give the various acceptations of it.

    3. Show in what respects the term is attributed to God, by way of parallel.

    4. Produce some disparities.

    5. Draw some brief inferences from the whole.

    I. This word is expressed in Hebrew by XXXX, and is by interpreters sometimes rendered hope, sometime safe Habitation, &c. but commonly Refuge is called in Latin,[1] refugium, which is a place, person, or thing to which we fly, that we may be safe from danger. It signifies (in the latitude of it) any place of rescue, succour, or safety; it is called in Greek, atafugh, and is derived of katafeugw, perfugio, properly noting a flying to some place of security; and is indeed a most splendid metaphor, most significantly demonstrating the frame of their minds, who (when on every side beset with inextricable troubles) upon the despair of human help, repair to God as their only Refuge.

    [1] Leigh Crit. Sacr.

    II. This word Refuge is put for security against a multitude of enemies, such as Israel was to be engaged against in the land of Canaan.

    1. It is put to quiet and fortify the mind against great and amazing providences, Ps 46:1.

    2. For preservation of public safety and propriety, from the invasions of wicked or envious men, Ps 48:3-4.

    3. For security of life, in case of danger, Ps 71:7,10.

    4. For security of the soul in spiritual danger, Heb 6:18-19.

    5. For security against the avenger of blood, by God's appointment.

    6. For safety against persecution, Ac 14:6. The apostles fled for Refuge to the cities of Lycaonia, &c.

    III. The word, in its proper import, is allusive to security in case of human perils; and from thence, by a metaphorical translation, is applied to God. For the further illustration of which, take the following parallel.

    METAPHOR

    I. This word Refuge, implies persons in distress.

    PARALLEL

    I. Sinners, nay, the godly themselves, are ofttimes in great danger and distress: "In my distress I called upon the Lord," 2Sa 22:7.

    METAPHOR

    II. It also implies a place, thing, or person, capable to relieve the distressed in their affliction.

    PARALLEL

    II. God is the only Refuge, who is fit and capable to relieve them that fly to him.

    METAPHOR

    III. A Refuge, that it might be useful to distressed ones, ought to be well known.

    PARALLEL

    III. Those who would have God for their Refuge in the day of trouble, ought to know or understand what a God he is. "God is known in her palaces for a Refuge," Ps 48:3. "And they that know his name, will put their trust in him," Ps 9:10.

    METAPHOR

    IV. It is necessary also that a Refuge be not far off, when dangers approach.

    PARALLEL

    IV. "God is near to all that call upon him, that call upon him in truth," Ps 145:1; 8. Not only "a God afar off, but a God at hand," Jer 23:23.

    METAPHOR

    V. A Refuge ought to be of sufficient strength, to save or secure from the power and rage of the greatest enemy.

    PARALLEL

    V. God is a Refuge infinite in strength, "able to save all to the uttermost, who by Christ Jesus fly to him," Heb 7:25.

    METAPHOR

    VI. A Refuge secures against a multitude of enemies. Israel had many thousands, nay, millions, especially when they came to encounter with the seven nations of Canaan; it was then God told them, "he would be a Refuge or safety to them," De 33:12,27.

    PARALLEL

    VI. God secures his church and people from innumerable multitudes of infernal, internal, and external enemies, Edom, the Ishmaelites and Moab, the Hagarenes, Gebal, Ammon, Amalek, with the inhabitants of Tyre, were all confederate against God's Israel, Ps 83:4-7, yet by being in this glorious Refuge, they were safe.

    METAPHOR

    VII. A Refuge secures from the wrath of a king, which is as the roaring of a lion. When David was pursued by enraged Saul, he was forced to fly to places of Refuge, get sometimes into a cave another time into a rock, by which means he escaped; which he ascribes to God, 2Sa 22:1-4.

    PARALLEL

    VII. God secures his people from the wrath of the king of darkness, who goes up and down like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour," 1Pe 5:8, and from the wrath of antichrist, that bloody beast, and first-born of hell. And were it not for this Refuge, we had long ago been destroyed,

    METAPHOR

    VIII. A Refuge is good to quiet and fortify the mind against any amazing providences; when the angry heavens, with their direful motions, threaten the earth, and horror seizes upon all hearts, and paleness covers their faces.

    PARALLEL

    VIII. God being the saints' Refuge, greatly animates, encourages, and fortifies their minds, against all the dreadful and amazing dispensations of God: "When there are signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars, and on the earth, blood, fire, and vapour of smoke: when there is distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring, and men's hearts failing for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming upon the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken," Mt 24:29; Lu 21:25-26. In such a clay as this the godly are secured, and, with David, say, "Under the shadow of thy wings will I make my Refuge, until these calamities are overpast." "I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep; for thou, Lord, makest me to dwell in safety," Ps 57:1. and Ps 4:8.

    METAPHOR

    IX. Refuges are for the preservation of public prosperity, from the envy and malice of enemies.

    PARALLEL

    IX. God, as a Refuge, preserves the public prosperity and weal of his church and people, from the envy of devils, and other implacable enemies. "Lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together, (saith David) they marvelled and were troubled, fear took hold on them:" why, what is the matter? Because God discomfits them: "They are broken in pieces, and cannot destroy the joy of mount Zion:" how comes this about? "God is known in palaces for a Refuge." Ps 48:3.

    METAPHOR

    X. A Refuge secures and preserves the life, when in danger; when David's life was pursued, he fled for Refuge, &c. the like of the man-slayer.

    PARALLEL

    X. God is a Refuge, who saves from death, and secures our lives from the destroyer, and bloody-minded men. Babylon always thirsts after and is ready to spill the blood of God's children; and were it not that they are preserved under the wings of the Almighty, or secured by his glorious arm, they had been cut off root and branch before now, Ps 142:2-3.

    METAPHOR

    XI. A place or city of Refuge was provided against the avenger of blood, by the appointment of God, for the retreat of the manslayer.

    PARALLEL

    XI. Jehovah is a Refuge, in and through Christ, against conscience, wrath, and the law, who accuse and pursue poor sinners; and this by the appointment of God: neither is there help or succour for them any where else, Ac 4:12.

    METAPHOR

    XII. The ways to the cities of Refuge were to be made thirty-two cubits broad; and all stumbling-blocks, and other impediments taken thereout.

    PARALLEL

    XII. There is a plain way made to God the Father, (this blessed Refuge) for sinners, through the blood of Jesus, all stumbling-blocks and obstructions being removed, Eph 2:18; Heb 10:19,

    See Christ the Way.

    METAPHOR

    XIII. The ways to the cities of Refuge were made easy to find;[2] at every partition, or cross turnings, they set a writing, Refuge, Refuge.[3]

    [2] See Mr. Goodwin's Moses and Aaron.

    [3] Mr. Ainsworth

    PARALLEL

    XIII. God hath made such provision, and laid down such clear directions leading to himself, in the holy scripture, that no wise and wary man can mistake or lose his way.

    METAPHOR

    XIV. The man-slayer was to fly with speed to the city of Refuge, lest the pursuer overtook him.

    PARALLEL

    XIV. Those that would find Refuge in God, must not neglect flying to him by faith and regeneration: "How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?" Heb 2:3.

    METAPHOR

    XV. The man-slayer was not only to fly to the city of Refuge, but to get into it, and abide there, till the death of the high-priest then living.

    PARALLEL

    XV. Those that would find Refuge in God, must not abide without in a visible profession, and go no further, but get a dwelling in the Almighty, and there abide as long as they live.

    See God a Habitation.

    METAPHOR

    XVI. Those that were got into the city of Refuge, before the Avenger of blood overtook them, were safe, and delivered from death.

    PARALLEL

    XVI. Those that get to God, by the blood and mediation of Jesus, before wrath and vengeance overtake them, or death cut them off are safe, and graciously delivered from eternal death. "There is no condemnation to them that are in Christ Jesus," &c., Ro 8:1.

    METAPHOR

    I. Other Refuges save or secure only from human violence and danger.

    DISPARITY

    I. God is a Refuge, that saves and delivers from spiritual and eternal dangers.

    METAPHOR

    II. Other Refuges may not be ready at hand, nor quickly found in time of calamity.

    DISPARITY

    II. God is a Refuge that is always at hand, and to be found by all such as seek him timely, before the day of grace be over.

    METAPHOR

    III. Other Refuges may not be out of the reach and attack of the enemy, nor be strong enough to secure against assaults.

    DISPARITY

    III. God is a high and strong Refuge. Hence David resolved to make his Refuge under the wings of the Almighty, Ps 57:1-2, by which phrase (as some observe) he compares the Lord to an eagle, (to which he is resembled in De 32:11,) and himself to one of the eagle's young. The eagle mounts aloft, dwells on high. No man (saith Pliny) can reach or touch the eagle's nest, being made upon (or rather in) the clifts of the inaccessible rocks. "She abideth (as saith Job) on the crag of the rock, and strong place;" Job 39:28. There she hides her young ones, who are safe enough: but a godly man, who makes his Refuge in the Rock of Ages, under the wings of God's providence and protection, is far more secure.

    METAPHOR

    IV. Many men fly to persons and things for Refuge, which greatly deceive them. They sometimes make gold and silver their hope; trust in their trades, friends, princes, parliaments, and potentates of the earth; but in vain, alas! is salvation hoped for from such hills and mountains. "I looked on my right hand, and behold, there was no man would know me: refuge failed me, and no man cared for my soul," Ps 142:4. How many have been undone, in former and latter days, by flying to false and deceitful Refuges expecting they would be fathers and nourishers to them? There is no trust to be put in the sons of the mighty. The Pope and his cardinals have a proverb amongst them, Mercatorum est, non regum, stare Juramentis: it is for merchants, not for princes, to stand to that which they have sworn.

    DISPARITY

    IV. God is a Refuge that will not deceive the soul, whosoever it be, that flies to him; nor never did fail any who took up sanctuary in him. God cannot fail in his ability to save, he is infinite in power; he cannot fail in wisdom, because he is All-wise, yea, wisdom itself in the abstract. Time doth not cause him to decay, nor grow old: "He abides the same, and his years fail not; the eternal God is thy Refuge. He is righteous and just, and will not suffer his faithfulness to fail." De 33:27. Though others have neither faithfulness, bowels, nor humanity in them; yet he who said, "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee, Heb 13:5, hath also said, "His mercy and goodness endureth for ever." Look to the generations of old: did any ever trust in God, and were confounded? Or whom did he ever despise, that called upon him?

    METAPHOR

    V. The cities of Refuge under the law, were only for the man-slayer, who by chance or casualty killed a man; not for wilful murderers.

    DISPARITY

    V. God in Christ is a Refuge, not only for man-slayers, but murderers, adulterers, yea, the vilest and worst of sinners, if by true faith and repentance they seek to him. Manasseh, who made Jerusalem run down with blood, 2Ki 21:16, and Mary Magdalene, found Refuge (viz., pardon and forgiveness) in him, Lu 7:48.

    INFERENCES.

    1. HENCE we may perceive, that the godly in this world are exposed to great afflictions and calamities.

    2. Yet God hath not left them without a place of Refuge.

    3. That there is no safety but in the Almighty.

    4. That is the only way and wisdom of sinful men to fly with speed to God through Christ, if they would find mercy, and sanctuary from wrath and vengeance.

    5. This also shows the happy state and condition of the godly.

    6. Let believers have recourse to God in the day of trouble, by prayer and humiliation.

    7. Besides, we may learn, how vain and fruitless all the attempts and approaches of the wicked are, against God's Church, and holy men.

    8. Why should the godly then fear in the day of evil, that have such a Refuge?

    See Strong Tower, Habitation, Hiding Place.