ADULT STS LESSON 122 CITIES OF REFUGE
MEMORY VERSE: “Then ye shall appoint you cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither, which killeth any person at unawares” (Numbers 35:11)
TEXT: Numbers 35:1-34
In continuation of His superintending and providential welfare for the children of Israel, God instructed the eleven tribes to contribute forty-eight cities and suburbs to the Levites. Out of these, six were to be set aside as cities of refuge where manslayers would run to hide until their cases were determined. This provision reveals God’s concern, compassion and mercy on those who committed murder without malice. It granted the manslayer an opportunity for fair trial before judgement was passed.
God’s gracious provision of cities of refuge to save the accidental villain of manslaughter from cruel revenge, paints a clear picture of salvation that a sinner can find only in Jesus Christ. He is the only One who can give true refuge were actually pointing to Christ who saves from the wrath of God. When sinners flee from the wrath to come and take refuge in Jesus Christ, they receive eternal life instead of eternal damnation.
Our text focuses on the provision of refuge, the purpose of the cities of refuge, the qualification for admission into any of them and the required evidence for the conviction of murder.
- COMMAND TO PROVIDE CITIES FOR THE LEVITES
Numbers 35:1-5; 18:20,24; Deuteronomy 18:1,2; Joshua 13:14,33; 21:1,2; 2 Corinthians 5:17; Luke 12:48; Hebrews 13:5; Exodus 32:25-29
God command the children of Israel to give cities to the Levites to dwell in and suburbs for their animals to graze. This command was given in anticipation of the settlement of the various tribes in their inheritance in the Promised Land. Each tribe was required to donate cities for the Levites so that every tribe would have Levites dwelling among them. This way, the ministry of the Levites – teaching the people the word of God, ministering in the tabernacle and handling the daily offerings – would be spread all over the land so that every Israelite would have access to them.
The forty-eight cities to be given by all the tribes of Israel were based on the proportion of their inheritance. This is a scriptural principle God expects His children to follow in giving for His work. Whenever God favours us with more resources, He expects us to give according to the proportion of our blessing. This is not only true of our substance but also of our time, talents and expertise. The tribes that had more inheritance were required to donate more cities, while those with less were expected to give less (Luke 12:48).
From this command, we have the following lessons to imbibe.
One, The Lord wanted the Levites to learn to depend on Him. By not giving them any inheritance among Israelites, God would have His people know that a man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions. Therefore, they were expected to be satisfied with such things as God allowed them to have. Even so today, believers should beware of the widespread evil of consciousness and materialism. While they work hard, pray and believe God for further breakthrough, they should be contented with what they presently have (Hebrews 13:5).
Two, It was necessary to give Levites the opportunity to concentrate on their ministry of waiting on and serving in the tabernacle. It was designed to keep them from unnecessary distractions.
Three, The Levites needed this support since they did not have inheritance among the people. Similarly, present-day believers are encouraged to take care of ministers of the gospel who could be classified as Levites of our time.
Four, the cities that God granted the Levites were sufficient for their needs. This teaches us that we must be generous in the provisions we give to our ministers.
Five, By giving the Levites cities all over the land of Israel, the Lord showed that none of His people who served diligently and faithfully, either on full-time or part-time basis, would go without adequate reward; they will be rewarded; they will be rewarded massively with physical, spiritual and material supplies.
- CONCEPT OF THE CITIES OF REFUGE
Numbers 35:6-15; Exodus 21:13; 32:25,26; Deuteronomy 4:41-43; 19:2-7; Joshua 20:1-9
“And among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites there shall be six cities of refuge, which ye shall appoint for the manslayer, that he may flee thither: and to them ye shall add forty and two cities” (Numbers 35:6).
God commanded the children of Israel to designate six out of the forty-eight cities given to the Levites as cities of refuge. Three of the cities of refuge were to be located within the territory of Reuben, Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh while the other three were to be located across Jordan to serve the remaining tribes. These cities were to be well spread and strategically located such that a person fleeing for refuge from anywhere in the land could reach the nearest one on time. God also commanded that the roads leading to the cities of refuge be kept in good state and free from obstructions so that someone fleeing from the avenger of blood would not be hindered: “Thou shalt prepare thee a way, and divide the coasts of thy land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee to inherit, into three parts, that every slayer may flee thither” (Deuteronomy 19:3).
The cities of refuge were to serve as temporary asylum for “the manslayer, to flee thither”. The slayer would dwell among the Levites until his case was decided by the judges. If he was guilty of murder, having killed his neighbor presumptuously or out of hatred, he would be handed over to the avenger of blood. But if the offence was committed “unawares”, he was to remain in the city of refuge till the death of the high priest. While it provides succor for the offender (if he is not guilty of outright murder), it also afforded him the benefit of dwelling with and being influenced by the lifestyle of the Levites saddled with teaching the people the judgements and laws of God.
In Hebrew culture, it was the duty of a nearest kinsman to protect the family rights of his relative. It was his duty to avenge the murder of his relative by killing the murderer. In such a case, the kinsman – redeemer was called the “avenger of blood”. However, God made a distinction between premeditated murder and accidental manslaughter. Whereas the willful murderer must be put to death by the avenger of blood, the accidental manslayer could run to the city of refuge nearest to him. Once he got to the city of refuge, the avenger of blood would not harm him until his case was properly decided by impartial judges. For the trial, the man was taken to the city where the offence was committed, and two or three witnesses were examined for his conviction or acquittal. If it was confirmed that he did not kill the victim willfully, then he was returned to the city of refuge and lived there till the death of the high priest. After the death of the high priest, he was free to return to his own city.
The provision of cities of refuge was a way of preventing people from carrying out cruel revenge on a person who had killed someone unintentionally. It would be a sin for the avenger of blood to kill a manslayer who did not premeditate the murder of the victim. This provision also highlights the justice of God that should apply to our social life. He does not condone sin, He is not willing that any sinner should perish; “…but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). This provision speaks loudly against extra-judicial killings that some law enforcement agents engage in. it is ungodly to raid innocent citizens and haul them into prison. The prison house is not meant for innocent and law-abiding citizens raided from the streets with unrepentant but wealthy criminals for monetary gain is dastardly, cruel and scripturally unacceptably.
Aside appointing cities of refuge, God reveals Himself as our refuge and fortress, our shield and shelter in time of storm (Isaiah 25:4; Deuteronomy 33:27; 2 Samuel 22:3; Psalm 9:9; 46:1). “For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall”. No matter the fire and fury of the enemy, those who trust in God shall surely be delivered.
Christ is our Refuge and Saviour; there is no salvation in any other. Sinners who flee to Him for salvation will not only be saved but also enjoy continual protection under His love and care. To appropriate these blessings, a sinner needs to acknowledge his sinful state, repent of his sin and accept Christ as his personal Lord and Saviour. Faith in Christ guarantees divine protection. Those who come to Christ will find rest, security and succor for their souls (Matthew 11:28,29).
- CONTIONS FOR SAFETY IN THE CITIES OF REFUGE
Numbers 35:16-35; Deuteronomy 4:42; 19:3,4; Joshua 20:3-6; Jeremiah 18:9,10; Ezekiel 3:20,21; 18:24-32; 33:12-20; Hebrews 2:1-4; 12:15; 1 Corinthians 6:19,20; 2 Corinthians 6:16
The manslayer offered asylum in any city of refuge must fulfil some basic conditions to enjoy safety and protection from the avenger of blood. He was required to abide there until the death of the high priest before returning to his possession. If the manslayer violated this cause and was killed, the avenger of blood would not be guilty of murder. He would also have to abide by the regulations of the Levites who kept the city of refuge and submit himself to them. Staying in the city of refuge required self-control and discipline to resist all temptations to cross the boundaries of it. This implies that no matter the interest he had in his own city, he must sacrifice them so that he could remain safe. The cause of Shimei who was granted the conditional amnesty by King Solomon to remain in the city of Jerusalem, which he violated and lost his life is similar (1 Kings 2:39-42). The conditional security of the manslayer in the city of refuge points to the conditional security of believers in Christ. A Christian is secure and safe in Christ on condition that he continues to abide in Him (John 15:6). This shows that the doctrine of unconditional or universal security of believers is false.
There are some key lessons from the appointment of cities of refuge for the manslayer.
First, There is provision for mercy and pardon for the penitent.
Second, God hates sin and injustice to the innocent.
Third, As the cities of refuge were positioned within reasonable distance and the highways free from impediments, the way of salvation is accessible to everyone that turns to Christ in true repentance and faith in His atoning blood.
Fourth, The provision of refuge was meant for all, irrespective of status and gender. This provision placed the rich and poor on equal terms.
Fifth, Just as an Israelite must submit himself to the administrators and the rules in the cities of refuge, the sinner must play his own part: repent of sin, exercise faith in Christ and pray for it to be effective and real in his experience.
God also gave some guidelines that judges must follow to avoid miscarriage of judgement. To distinguish between accidental manslaughter and willful murder, the weapon used and the manner it was used to kill the victim could be a pointer to the real intention. The killer was presumed guilty of willful murder if,
One, He smote the victim with a lethal weapon such as iron or stone (Verses 16,17);
Two, If he smote the victim with a dangerous wooden weapon (Verse 18);
Three, If the stabbed the victim in hatred (Verse 20);
Four, If he laid ambush for the victim (Verse 20) and
Five, if in enmity, he struck him with his hand (Verse 21). In these cases, the manner in which the victim was killed could be determined.
In carrying out the trial, God stipulated that there must be witnesses who would testify against or in favour of an accused person. No one should be put to death on the testimony of only one witness. This was to avoid a situation where an innocent person would be victimized by the false testimony of only one witness. But with two or three witnesses, who should be examined separately, the truth would most likely be established.
In conclusion, God told the children of Israel to avoid polluting the land through shedding of innocent blood. They were reminded that God’s presence was among them and as such, they should keep the land free from pollution. This is very instructive for believers who serve as the temples of God today (1 Corinthians 6:19,20; 2 Corinthians 6:16). The main reason we keep our lives free from every form of pollution is because God dwells in us. His presence in us and not the fear of discipline, is the real motivation for holy living.
QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW
- Explain the purpose of the cities of refuge.
- In what way does the cities of refuge symbolize Christ?
- What can believers learn from the command to give cities and suburbs to the Levites?
- Point out the guidelines for maintaining those cities.
- What basic condition must the manslayer fulfil to remain secured in the city of refuge?
- Point out some key lessons from God’s appointment of the cities of refuge?
- Why did God instruct the Israelites not to pollute the land and what do we learn from that?
