ADULT LESSON 137 SOCIAL JUSTICE AND MILITARY SERVICE
MEMORY VERSE: “That innocent blood be not shed in thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance, and so blood be upon thee” (Deuteronomy 19:10).
TEXT: Deuteronomy 19:1-21; 20:1-20
God is just in all His dealings. As a just Judge, He does not want anyone to be punished unjustly. In these days of social injustice, rights abuses, extra- judicial killings and war crimes, the word of God does not leave anyone in doubt as to what is just, fair and equitable. In the word of God, there are principles meant to preserve and protect the sacredness and sanctity of human life, right to property and enjoyment of family life. Even in war situation, God prescribed the rules of engagement for the protection of the weak, women and children. In our text, God instructed Moses to make provision for cities of refuge and the general principles of social justice and human welfare.
The cities of refuge were meant for anyone who commits manslaughter to flee into, pending the determination of the issue warranting the death of the victim. In order to ensure that the culprit did not hide under this provision to escape justice, proper definition was given of what constitutes manslaughter, which is unpremeditated, accidental cause of death without malice. If perchance someone commits murder and flees to a city of refugee, he is extradited to face justice. Israel was commanded to separate three cities; later to be expanded to six with the possession of more lands, which were to be evenly spaced in order to ensure proximity for the people.
As it is clearly seen, the only way anyone guilty of manslaughter could escape death at the hand of an avenger of blood was to flee into a city of refuge. Similarly, God has made a way for sinners to escape from the doom of eternal hell by coming to Christ, the only Saviour of mankind (Acts 4:12).
DIVINE PROVISION FOR CITIES OF REFUGE (Deuteronomy 19:1-13; Numbers 35:9-22; Joshua 20:1- 9; Psalms 46:1; 59:16; Hebrews 6:18)
Israel was still at the eastern side of River Jordan at this time. They were to designate three cities as the cities of refuge from the conquered cities. The manslayer was to flee to any of these cities nearest to him for asylum to escape death from the avenger of blood. The tradition of the eastern nations was for a close relative of a slain man to pursue the slayer to avenge the blood of the slain. The locations of these cities were such that they would be within the reach of the people wherever they sojourned. They were to create additional three cities on the western side of Jordan when those territories were conquered.
The expansion the people were promised would be based on love for God and continued obedience. Likewise, believers will only progress to possess the promises of God through love for the Lord and unconditional obedience to His word. The roads leading to the cities of refuge were to be prepared and bridges were to be erected so as not to impede the flight of the fugitive. Proper signposts were to be erected to direct the fleeing fugitive. Israel was taught that the shedding of innocent blood pollutes the land. From scriptural perspective, the flagrant abuse of the sanctity of human life is not without consequence. The life of human beings should be held sacred and placed above any material consideration.
As believers, we should not directly or indirectly carry out abortion. Those who drive automobiles should ensure that they put them in order so as not to cause avoidable accident, which may result in injury or loss of lives. Any act of omission or commission that may cause injury or death should be avoided as much as possible. God’s provision of cities of refuge is symbolic.
One, God does not have pleasure in the death of a sinner (Ezekiel 33:11).
Two, Jesus is the Refuge for fallen humanity, “Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you“ (1 Peter 1:20).
Three, there is no other way to be saved but only through repentance and faith in Christ. He is “...the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by [Him]“ (John 14:6).
Four, sinners have to flee to the Saviour before death overtakes them (Hebrews 9:27).
Five, it is the responsibility of believers to show sinners the way of salvation. Every available means should be employed to take the gospel to sinners and rescue them.
DIRE CONSEQUENCES FOR FALSE WITNESSING (Deuteronomy 19:14-21; 5:20; Exodus 20:16; Psalm 35:11; Proverbs 19:5,9; Matthew 26:59,60; Mark 10:19; Acts 6:13; Romans 13:9)
According to Jewish history, there were no hard unmovable boundary marks but small holes or stones placed at intervals. A dishonest neighbour could easily cover the holes or shift the stones to encroach on his neighbour’s land. God prohibited the Israelites from removing a neighbour’s landmark. Similarly, we have the gospel landmarks that have been handed to us, and we must uphold them tenaciously. We are enjoined to “...earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints…” (Jude 3,4). We should constantly. affirm the sanctity of our landmarks and preserve them for future generations. “One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established“ (Deuteronomy 19:15).
A very important rule was set out here: a lone witness should not be accepted as valid to convict a person of any crime; at least two witnesses were required. This has become a statute for criminal justice in many climes. Even in natural judicial system, false witnessing, which is known as perjury is a criminal offence. Instances of false witnesses abound in the Bible, and some had disastrous consequences.
One of such was Doeg, an Edomite, an officer of Saul. His false witness against Ahimelech, the priest, led to the brutal killing of eighty-five priests and a near-wiping out of the priests community at Nob, including children and infants (1 Samuel 22:7-19).
Two, the false witness of Potiphar’s wife led to the unjust imprisonment of innocent Joseph in the land of Egypt.
Three, the false witnesses against Naboth led to his stoning to death at the instigation of Jezebel (1 Kings 21:1-14).
Four, the false witnesses maliciously raised by the detractors of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ that accused Him of “...perverting the nation, and forbidding to give tribute to Caesar… (Luke 23:2) contributed to Christ being charged with treason.
Five, the false witnesses against Stephen accused him of blasphemy against Moses and God. This led to his stoning to death (Acts 6:9-14; 7:59). Moses directed that anyone accused of false witness should be duly tried by the priests and judges and where the case of false witness is proved, the offender should be punished according to the sentence which should have been unjustly meted on the person falsely accused, such that “…life shall go for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot.“ It should be noted that this was not a commandment for individuals to carry out by themselves but a measure of the punishment which priests and judges should apply in passing judgment on a duly convicted perjurer. Many, misconstrue this injunction for retaliation and revenge. On the contrary, God opposes retaliation: “Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:18).
DEFINITE RULES FOR MILITARY ENGAGEMENT (Deuteronomy 20:1-20; 2 Chronicles 26:11; Luke 9:57- 62; 2 Timothy 2:3-5; 1 Timothy 6:12)
The Lord also stipulates the disposition and procedures for Israel to engage their enemies in battles. All forms of distractions and entanglements were to be removed. Faith in God was paramount in fighting the Lord’s battles. Likewise, believers are admonished to “...endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier“ (2 Timothy 2:3,4). Israel was to be engaged in battle to dispossess their enemies and occupy their land as appointed by God. They were to go on the offensive against the Canaanites who became their enemies by rebelling against God and serving idols. Israel was to depend upon God and not to trust in the arm of flesh. They were not to be terrified by the chariots and horses of their enemies.
As it was compulsory for all male from the age of twenty years to be engaged in warfare, provision was made for exemption of some men on certain conditions. The four grounds of exemption were dedication of a new house, which was usually celebrated; second, the planting of vineyard in which case the period of exemption could be for four years – the fruit of the first three years is regarded as unfit; third, the betrothal of a wife not yet consummated, and fourth, fearfulness and faint-heartedness. After dismissing those who were deemed unfit for battle, Israel was instructed to choose captains to lead the soldiers into battle.
For believers in this dispensation, Christ is the Captain of our salvation in (Hebrews 2:10). Israel was permitted to take the spoils of their defeated enemies. The spoils included women, children, cattle and other possessions. On the other hand, nations that were far-off were to be offered an option of peace, which if accepted, would make them become tributaries to Israel. This offer was not to be extended to “...the Hittites, and the Amorites, the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites...” (Deuteronomy 20:17). These nations were to be exterminated and their lands possessed so that they would not lure them into idolatry and incur God’s wrath.
They were instructed not to destroy fruit-bearing trees in war because they are for the sustenance of human lives. Christians do not engage in physical combat (the servant of the Lord must not strive). Rather, they are engaged in spiritual warfare against Satan and his cohorts. As Israel had to battle to possess the Promised Land, believers must battle against the powers of darkness and even their own flesh in order to possess precious promises of God and make it to heaven at last. The comprehensive weapons for Christian warfare as listed in Ephesians 6:14-18 include, truth, righteousness, gospel of peace, faith, salvation, the word of God and prayers.
No Christian is adequately equipped for battle without any of these. Unlike the Israelites, no believer is exempted from spiritual warfare. The adversary is constantly plotting ways to destroy God’s children. Therefore, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). For this reason, believers should watch and pray, and ensure that their armoury is intact and they are spiritually armed at all times. All forms of worldly entanglements should be jettisoned and the flesh brought under control.
For God’s children who observe the rules of engagement, the outcome of the battle is already determined: we are more than conquerors through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. “For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith” (1 John 5:4).
Questions for review:
1.How can a sinner escape God’s judgment and condemnation?
2. What steps should believers take to avoid shedding innocent blood?
3. Enumerate the lessons from the establishment of cities of refuge.
4. Discuss two instances of death occasioned by false witnesses in the Scriptures.
5. State the grounds of exemption in military service in Israel and why no Christian is exempted from spiritual warfare.
6. a. What mode of warfare are believers engaged in?
b. Mention the weapons of our warfare.
7. What is the place of faith in our warfare against Satan and his cohorts?
