LIVING BEYOND THE CAVE -FUGITIVE OR REFUGEE?
In this study I want to talk about three caves, places of refuge that our antecedents retreated to and encountered God in a different way so that they could move further into their destiny.
1) The Cleft in the Rock - Exodus 33:20 But it is not possible for you to see my face, for no man may see me and still go on living 21 And the Lord said, See, there is a place near me, and you may take your place on the rock: 22 And when my glory goes by, I will put you in a hole in the rock, covering you with my hand till I have gone past: 23 Then I will take away my hand, and you will see my back: but my face is not to be seen.
- the people were told that the Presence of God that they had known for 40 yrs would not go into the land. Ex 33:1-3
-Moses' request was not selfish but borne out of a desire to see the fullness of God other than the pillar of Fire/Smoke
- Seeing God's face and dying sound pretty good to Moses.
- Moses was aREFUGEE, seeking a place where he and His people could find a home
2)Adullam - when David was fleeing Saul he found refuge in this cave. 1Sa 22:1 When David escaped from the town of Gath, he went to Adullam Cave. His brothers and the rest of his family found out where he was, and they followed him there. :2 A lot of other people joined him too. Some were in trouble, others were angry or in debt, and David was soon the leader of four hundred men.
- fearing for his life, David wanted to protect his own life, that of His family, and the destiny that had been laid upon him.
- DAVID WAS A FUGITIVE FROM SAUL, THE WARLORD OF GIBEAH
2) Elijah's Cave - Elijah retreats to this cave at Horeb
Ki 19:8 So Elijah sat up and ate and drank. The food and water made him strong enough to walk forty more days. At last, he reached Mount Sinai, the mountain of God, 9 and he spent the night there in a cave. While Elijah was on Mount Sinai, the LORD asked, "Elijah, why are you here?" 10 He answered, "LORD God All-Powerful, I've always done my best to obey you. But your people have broken their solemn promise to you. They have torn down your altars and killed all your prophets, except me. And now they are even trying to kill me!"
- ELIJAH WAS A FUGITIVE FROM AHAB USURPER
AAA) Jesus' Burial Tomb - from the defeat of the Cross, Christ's body is laid in this cave.
Mark 15:46 <Jesus' body was> wrapped in the cloth, put it in a tomb that had been cut into solid rock. Then he rolled a big stone against the entrance to the tomb.
- Jesus wasn't escaping death but sealed into a tomb when he was dead TO FULFILL HIS DESTINY.
- Jesus is the Refuge of the Homeless and the Place of Justice for the Fugitive
