CHILDREN SEARCH LESSON 18 CITIES OF REFUGE
Text; Numbers 35:1-34
Two friends went hunting. Little did they know that though they went in opposite directions, in just a short while, they had come so close to each other. Suddenly, the other friend began to hear some sound and saw a shadow in the thick bush coming towards him. He thought it was an animal, he hardly looked very well before he shot. The cry and the groaning of his friend revealed his mistake. He struggled to help his wounded and bleeding friend, but not long after, he felt his friend had given up the ghost. He called the attention of the passers-by and ran to the nearby village to save his life. God commanded the children of Israel, “Thou shalt not kill.” (Exodus 20:13) But when there is an accident and someone kills another person mistakenly, there were places the person could run to, so that he would not be killed by family members and friends of the dead person. These places were called “Cities of Refuge. This system of saving someone who killed another mistakenly, points to what Jesus did for us. He came into the world to take our punishment; you must surrender to Him
- JUSTICE THROUGH THE CITIES OF REFUGE:
Numbers 35:11-29; Job 37:23.
A refuge is a place of safety where someone can stay and be kept from harm or death. God permitted the children of Israel to separate six cities of refuge while they were dividing the land. These cities were to serve as a safe place for sinners to run to and be saved from death. These sinners were those who killed by mistake. This instruction from God shows His love and mercy towards all sinners. God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). However, God warned the children of Israel not to release anyone who killed on purpose that is, out of hatred or envy. Such offender should die. God hates sin and will surely punish all sinners, including murderers. There are various ways people commit murder.
These include:
(i) abortion
(ii) slander
(iii) witchcraft/familiar spirit and
(iv) physical shedding of blood.
If you are involved in any of these evil acts, you must repent. Remember, God does not want you to perish. This was the reason He made provision for the cities of refuge.
The city of refuge is important because:
(i) Anyone who kills someone by mistake can run there and be safe.
(ii) It prevents people from shedding innocent blood.
(iii) In it, one can escape the anger of the relations and friends of the dead person.
(iv) It is a place of salvation, peace and justice.
(v) It is a place anyone has the right to run to and wait until his case is decided.
God has provided eternal refuge for the whole world in the Lord Jesus Christ (John 3:16). Whoever believes in Him will be saved from His judgment
- JESUS: OUR CITY OF REFUGE:
Numbers 35:9-13; Psalm 46:1,2; John 3:16; Romans 8:1; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 6:18-20; 9:15
God, in His eternal wisdom, made provision for the cities of refuge. This He did to teach us that these temporary places of refuge were mere examples that point to His Son who would be the eternal Saviour for the whole mankind. The Levites were the priests or ministers who only did God’s work and made sacrifices for sinful Israelites to be cleansed and receive forgiveness from God (Numbers 8:19). They could not provide salvation for anyone. They were in-charge of the cities of refuge. They were to make sure that the innocent person is not punished and the guilty is not set free. Jesus Christ, our great High Priest, died and shed His blood for the forgiveness of our sins so as to give us eternal life and refuge in heaven (Hebrews 7:26). Friends of Jesus are like priests and Levites who are called to serve the Lord. They have the duty of showing the sinners the way to the real city of refuge; that is, the Lord Jesus Christ. As God provided for the Levites, He will provide for your needs. If you still do bad things, there is no protection for your life. You must repent and run now to Jesus, our Refuge, for safety.
- JOY AND SALVATION IN THECITIES OF REFUGE:
Numbers 35:34; Luke 15:6,7
It should be a thing of great joy and relief when the manslayer (the person who killed someone by mistake) finally gets to the city of refuge. From the moment the other person dies, to the time the manslayer enters the gate of the city of refuge, his life was in danger and his heart in great fear. The fact that his life is now safe will give the manslayer a great joy. The Bible says there is no peace for the wicked or the sinner. No doubt, the Lord said, that there is great joy in heaven over a sinner who repents (Luke 15:7). There is joy in heaven and in the heart of the child who has just given his life to Jesus. Many friends of Jesus have testified that no joy is to be compared with the joy and the peace they felt at the moment of their salvation. Finally, we can only imagine the joy we will have in the presence of Jesus when we meet Him face-to-face in heaven. For the sinful child, there is no joy until he repents. Therefore, if you are still a sinner, come to Jesus now, repent and ask for forgiveness and cleansing through His blood. Ask Him to be your personal Saviour and Friend. You will experience joy in your heart and an overflowing joy when you get to heaven.
QUESTIONS:
- Why did God instruct Moses to set up cities of refuge?
- God has made provision for our own refuge. Yes/No
- Who is our Refuge today?
- What must a sinner do to live with Jesus in heaven?
- What are the benefits of coming into Christ, our Refuge?
MEMORY VERSE: “Then ye shall appoint your cities of refuge for you; that the slayer may flee thither which killeth any person at unawares” (Numbers 35:11).
LESSON: Jesus is our city of refuge.
THOUGHT: I will stay with Jesus, my Refuge and Strength.
ACTIVITY: Prayer of consecration.
CONGREGATIONAL SONG: GHS 127 – ROCK OF AGES CLEFT FOR ME
CHORUSES:
(1) Run, run, run to the mountain
(2) Come believing, come believing
(3) The blood of Jesus sets me free.
HOMEWORK: In your homework book, write out three important things to do to enter heaven above at last.
BIBLE WORD SEARCH
Find the meanings of these words.
You can use your dictionary. 1. Suddenly 2. Refuge 3. Justice 4. Manslayer 5. Provision
