CITY OF REFUGE

MARTHA J. BUCKNER

New instruments of destruction have made provisions for safety in time of conflict a question of immediate concern for all peoples. Cities because of their apparent vulnerability need defenses. This search for security is not new, however, for all through the Scriptures runs a golden thread of seeking a city of refuge, from Abraham, who "looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God" (Heb.11:10), to the culmination in Revelation of John's vision of the city foursquare. The light of Christian Science shows this city to be ever accessible.

God instructed Moses to command the children of Israel to set aside six cities as places of refuge, where one who had unawares and unintentionally slain anyone might flee and remain in safety. There were three such cities on the eastern side of Jordan and three on the western, so chosen as to make one easily accessible to all parts of the land. As long as the fugitive remained in the city, he was safe.

One of these old cities of refuge, Shechem, has been identified by some authorities with the Sychar of the New Testament. It will be remembered that here Christ Jesus was questioned by a Samaritan woman as to the right place to worship. Jesus directed her thought to the spiritual truth that true worship is not confined to any place, whether it be a mountain or Jerusalem, for it is a spiritual attitude. In this attitude of true worship, in spiritual awareness or consciousness, John later beheld the real city of refuge, New Jerusalem.

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