LESSON 33 SOCIAL JUSTICE AND MILITARY SERVICE
Deuteronomy 19:1-21; 20:1-20
God intends for His people to be in peace and succeed wherever they find themselves.
To make this possible, He gave them laws and rules on how they should live in the Promised Land. There, they were commanded to separate three cities serving as cities of refuge. To maintain social justice, the children of Israel were told to observe the following:
(i) When someone kills a person mistakenly, he should run into the city of refuge for safety. The moment he is in that city, the avenger will not touch him. He will remain there until the death of the high priest at that period (Numbers 32:25).
(ii) The children of Israel were also told not to remove their neighbour’s landmark, which was the boundary stone kept by previous generations to separate the land boundary between two persons.
(iii) No quarrel or dispute between two persons can be decided by one witness “At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; ...” (Deuteronomy 17:6)
(iv) They were given laws and rules concerning their armies. When they wanted to embark on warfare against enemy nations, the elders would go around and check for the followings:
(a) Those who were afraid
(b) Those preparing for marriage
(c) Those who built houses newly. These categories of people were not allowed to go to war so that their fear would not bring defeat to others on the battlefield.
Our fight today is not physical as the children of Israel did, “for though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh…” (2 Corinthians 10:3,4)Friends of Jesus cannot use physical weapons today. The battle is not physical but a spiritual one. However, we have the assurance from God that He will fight for us and give us victory.
- SYSTEM OF SOCIAL JUSTICE IN ISRAEL:
Deuteronomy 19:1-21; Numbers 35:9-30; Proverbs 18:10
Social justice means a condition in the society or community when everybody is treated fairly. It is where everybody has equal rights. This is the desire of God for His people in every generation. That is the reason He commanded the children of Israel to separate three cities in their land to serve as the place of refuge. This place of refuge is only for those who kill someone mistakenly. It is not for those who deliberately kill someone for whatever reason. Murder is a grievous sin before God. He does not want anyone to kill another person Every soul is precious in the sight of God However, there are situations when a person by mistake does something to another person that may lead to death.
When the killer runs into that city or village, the avenger will not pursue him to that place. This is so, because he did not do it intentionally.
Our place of refuge is Christ Jesus (Psalm 46:1; Romans 8:1). Anyone who runs to Him will be saved. If the killer did that intentionally and runs into that city, the elders would go in and bring him out to face the penalty. Except the sinner repents, he shall perish (Luke 13:2.3)
Children of Israel were also commanded not to remove their neighbour’s landmark. That was the boundary stone kept by elders to determine the boundary between individual plots of land. This is done to maintain peace and harmony among the people. One witness is not enough to convict somebody in a matter. For a matter to be established as truth, it must be by two or three witnesses. If a false witness rises, the high priest should bring him and his opponent to the presence of God Who will then determine who is wrong. Whatever the false witness intends to do to his neighbour, the same thing will be done to him. All these are done to ensure fairness and justice among the people. The principles behind the social justice system in Israel is still in operation in many countries of the world. It is based on these principles that the constitutions of many countries are developed. This is to show us that the word of God stands forever. We must obey the word of God as contained in the Bible to enjoy peace, equity, harmony and fairness in our relationship with one another.
- SELECTION PROCESS FOR MILITARY SERVICE:
Deuteronomy 20:1-20; 2 Timothy 2:3,4; 1 Peter 5:8.
Military service refers to the functions and activities of those who are enlisted into the army of Israel. For the fact that Israel is surrounded by enemy nations. Her military service is very important. The friends of Jesus should be vigilant. The Devil, our adversary is walking about seeking whom he may devour
God commanded Israel, “When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.” (Deuteronomy 20:1)
It is not everybody that can enrol in the army of the Lord. God gave specific instructions on the process of identifying and selecting qualified people for the army. He commanded the priest to look out for the following characteristics:
(i) Boldness and faith in God’s power to deliver;
(ii) Courage and ability to defend the nation;
(iii) Love for God and His people;
(iv) Endurance and grace to withstand the heat of war;
(v) Willingness to forsake all for the service of God and the nation.
In view of these, the priests were commanded to enquire for those who were fearful, those in the process of getting married and those that had built a house and had not lived in it. These groups of people should go back. The reason is that they might bring fear into the hearts of others and cause distraction to them. They can make the rest of the army not to give their best in the warfare. No one who puts his hands on the plough and looks back is fit for the battle (Luke 9:62).
For friends of Jesus who are in the army of soul-winners, the following can be hindrances to them:
(i) Sin (Hebrews 12:1),
(ii) Fear,
(iii) Loving something or somebody more than God,
(iv) Prayerlessness.
You must do away with all these to be qualified for enlistment into the -Lord’s army.
- STEPS TO ENLISTING IN THE LORD’S ARMY:
Deuteronomy 20:1-20; Matthew 5 11:28; 2 Timothy 2:3,4,15.
The army of the Lord is made up of saved, sanctified, and Spirit-filled boys 1 and girls. The battle they are engaged in is not a physical one. It is a spiritual battle to rescue souls from sin, Satan, and eternal damnation in hell-fire. Jesus, the Captain of the army, has paid the price for the salvation of the world, but Satan is determined to hold sinners down as his captives. We must be clothed with the whole armour of God to rescue the perishing. With Jesus on our side, we are sure of victory. However, for any child to become a part of this glorious army, he must take the following steps:
a) Be born again. Salvation is the first prerequisite to becoming a member of the Lord’s army. A sinner cannot call a sinner to repent. Therefore, if you are still a sinner, repent, confess your sins to God and ask for forgiveness and cleansing in the blood of Jesus.
b) Move a step further to pray for purity of heart. God is holy and commands that we should be holy too.
c) Pray to be filled with the Holy Spirit. This will enable you have power to defeat Satan and bring others to Christ.
d) Read the word of God and pray every day. Do not let a day pass without reading the word of God and praying.
e) Prayerfully select a partner to go out with to tell others about Jesus.
f) Always pray for the people you preached to so that they can surrender fully to Christ.
As you do all these things, you will notice that you are growing in faith and ready for the coming of Christ.
QUESTIONS:
- What is God’s intention concerning His people?
- What is social justice?
- Mention the people who will not take part in warfare in Israel and why?
- Mention some hindrances to soul-winning.
- How can a sinful child be enlisted into the army of the Lord?
MEMORY VERSE: “When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt“ (Deuteronomy 20:1).
LESSON: Only those who give their lives to Jesus will enjoy God’s peace and be enlisted into God’s army.
THOUGHT: I will enjoy God’s peace and be in the Lord’s army.
ACTIVITY: Children should discuss, in groups, five things they have learnt from the study.
CONGREGATIONAL SONG: GHS 41 – ONWARD, CHRISTIAN SOLDIERS!
CHORUSES:
(1) I am in the Lord’s army
(2) I am a soldier in the army
(3) Are you in the number? Are you in the number, saved by grace?
HOMEWORK: Pray for the peace of God in your community and nation.
BIBLE WORD SEARCH
Find the meanings of these words. You can use your dictionary.
- Military 2. Justice 3. Plough 4. Refuge 5. Fairness.
