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◄ Cities: Designed for Habitations►

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Topical Encyclopedia

Cities in the biblical context are often depicted as centers of human habitation, culture, and governance. They serve as focal points for the unfolding of God's plan throughout the Scriptures. From the earliest mentions in Genesis to the prophetic visions in Revelation, cities play a significant role in the narrative of the Bible.

Early Cities and Their Significance

The concept of cities begins early in the biblical narrative. The first city mentioned is Enoch, built by Cain after he was exiled for the murder of Abel (Genesis 4:17). This city represents the beginning of urban development and the human inclination to gather in communities for mutual support and protection.

Cities as Centers of Civilization

Throughout the Old Testament, cities are depicted as centers of civilization and power. They are often associated with the rise and fall of empires. For example, Babel (later Babylon) is noted for its tower and as a symbol of human pride and rebellion against God (Genesis 11:4-9). The city of Babylon later becomes a significant power in the ancient world, representing both the height of human achievement and the depths of human depravity.

Jerusalem, on the other hand, is portrayed as the city chosen by God. It becomes the political and spiritual center of Israel. King David captures Jerusalem and makes it the capital, and his son Solomon builds the Temple there, establishing it as the focal point of Jewish worship (2 Samuel 5:6-9;1 Kings 6:1-38).

Cities as Places of Refuge and Judgment

Cities also serve as places of refuge and judgment. The cities of refuge, as described inNumbers 35:9-15, were established to provide sanctuary for those who committed unintentional manslaughter. These cities illustrate God's provision for justice and mercy within the community.

Conversely, cities are often the focus of divine judgment due to their wickedness. Sodom and Gomorrah are prime examples, destroyed by God for their grievous sins (Genesis 19:24-25). The prophets frequently pronounce judgments against cities like Nineveh and Tyre, highlighting their moral and spiritual failings (Nahum 1:1-3;Ezekiel 26:1-21).

The New Testament Perspective

In the New Testament, cities continue to be significant. Jesus conducts much of His ministry in and around cities such as Capernaum, Jerusalem, and Jericho. These urban centers provide a backdrop for His teachings, miracles, and interactions with diverse groups of people.

The early church also spreads rapidly through cities. The Apostle Paul focuses his missionary efforts on urban centers like Corinth, Ephesus, and Rome, recognizing their strategic importance for the dissemination of the Gospel (Acts 18:1-11; 19:1-10;Romans 1:7).

The Eschatological City

The Bible culminates with the vision of a new city, the New Jerusalem, described inRevelation 21:1-4. This city represents the ultimate fulfillment of God's promise to dwell with His people. It is depicted as a place of perfect peace, righteousness, and communion with God, contrasting with the fallen cities of the world.

Conclusion

Cities in the Bible are multifaceted, serving as places of human achievement, centers of worship, and symbols of both divine judgment and redemption. They reflect the complexities of human society and the overarching narrative of God's redemptive plan.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 107:7,36
And he led them forth by the right way, that they might go to a city of habitation.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Acts XVII
... planted Churches in three importantcities of Macedonia.... and the "boundaries of their
habitations," he certainly... dead." This was evidently notdesigned for the...

Concerning Sanballat and Manasseh, and the Temple which they Built...
... among them land for tillage, andhabitations also, and... he led his army into the
neighboringcities; and when... him into Egypt, because there hedesigned to give...

Paul in Malta and Rome.
... Miracles were notdesigned to aggrandize them as men... Forum, and the Three Taverns,
twocities at the... they abhor, bursts into their dark and foulhabitations....

Farewell
... with some churches, convents, and other scatteredhabitations.... to the Capitol was
the asylum (Cities of refuge... The Theatra were edificesdesigned for dramatic...

part iii.
... viii.14.) Every man wasdesigned to stand like a... of a lady in one of ourcities,
whom an... of ignorance and superstition, to demolish thehabitations of cruelty...

Of the Three Woe Trumpets.
... Abdi, that is, Eternal; the Holy Spiritdesigned to oppose... of the oracle to seek
forhabitations in Macedonia... v.7, "Jephthah was buried in thecities of Gilead...

The Temples and the Gods of Chaldaea
... the general outline of the buildings andhabitations grew blurred... The area described
by thesecities was often very... out all at one time,designed and finished...

From the Close of the General Conference of 1832 to the Beginning...
... Though at first the society was viewed with suspicion by some, fearing it wasdesigned
chiefly to rivet the chains of slavery yet tighter on the slave, by...

An Account of the Organization of the Methodist Episcopal Church...
... as the objection which this argument isdesigned to refute... of the societies in towns
andcities, as they... surely God would dwell in ourhabitations, and make us...

Christian Churches.
... The nielli represented castles,cities, and territories which were... cross had not
only beendesigned on paper... have been more churches thanhabitations in Rome....