Neville Goddard on Joshua 20:4-6 - Mystical Bible Interpretation

Read Joshua 20 in context

Scripture Focus

4And when he that doth flee unto one of those cities shall stand at the entering of the gate of the city, and shall declare his cause in the ears of the elders of that city, they shall take him into the city unto them, and give him a place, that he may dwell among them.

5And if the avenger of blood pursue after him, then they shall not deliver the slayer up into his hand; because he smote his neighbour unwittingly, and hated him not beforetime.

6And he shall dwell in that city, until he stand before the congregation for judgment, and until the death of the high priest that shall be in those days: then shall the slayer return, and come unto his own city, and unto his own house, unto the city from whence he fled.

Joshua 20:4-6

Biblical Context

The one who fled to a City of Refuge stands at its gate, speaks to the elders, and is given a dwelling; if pursued by the avenger, they must not be delivered, and he remains there until judgment and the high priest's death, then returns home.

Neville's Inner Vision

Imagine the gate as your moment of decision, the City of Refuge as a state of consciousness where you are safe while you reassess your life. When you flee the old belief that you are condemned, you move into a place where the inner elders, your wiser faculties, hear your cause with mercy. The avenger of blood is fear pursuing you; but in this inner sanctuary you are not delivered into the hand of fear because the cause was inadvertent, not malicious. Dwelling in that city until the congregation speaks is you giving the mind time to align with a new verdict, and the death of the high priest represents the breaking of the old ruling authority in you. Then you return to your own city, with your house re-ordered by a fresh sense of self, free to live from the new judgment you have accepted. This is not geography, but an inner letting go and an inner reintegration that changes how you move through life.

Practice This Now

Practice: In a quiet moment, close your eyes and declare, 'I am safe in my inner city.' Imagine standing at the gate, presenting your cause to the inner elders, and receiving a place to dwell; feel the old fear die away as you dwell there a little while before returning with a renewed sense of self.