YOUTH STS LESSON 122 CITIES OF REFUGE
MEMORY VERSE: “Then ye shall appoint you cities to be 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
The previous lesson focused on how the children of Israel were to divide the land of their possession by lot. This lesson highlights how God wanted them to give out of their lands to the Levites (Numbers 35:1,2). Also in our text, the children of Israel were about entering into Canaan. The Lord, therefore, needed to prepare them adequately for the life in the Promised Land. Part of the preparations was the command regarding how the children of Israel were to relate with one another and the guidelines regarding the cities of refuge.
Question 1: Who is our Refuge today?
God is a caring and loving Father who is not interested in the death of anyone. Today, Jesus Christ our Saviour is our Refuge from sins, sicknesses and Satan (Hebrews 6:18-20).
- DIVINE PROVISION FOR THE LEVITES
Numbers 35:1-4; 18:21-32; 1 Corinthians 9:9-14; Malachi 3:10-12; 1 Timothy 5:17,18
God knew that the Levites had surrendered all for His service. He, therefore, made provisions for all they could necessarily need to be comfortable in the service through the offerings and donations of the people they served. He gave the command through Moses to all the Israelites that they should give to support the Levites. He specifically told them to give them cities to dwell in and suburbs round about them for their cattles. We can see the dignity, respect and convenience God wanted His ministers to be treated with.
Question 2: Who are the people qualified to give for God’s service today?
“And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God” (2 Corinthians 8:5). In order for our giving to be acceptable to God, we must be genuinely born again. God expected the children of Israel to give to the Levites out of the possessions He had given them. The support for His work should not be limited to a particular period but be a continuous one. This will enable the minister to concentrate on their service to God (Nehemiah 13:10).
- DESIGNATION OF CITIES OF REFUGE
Numbers 35:9-15; Exodus 21:12-14; Deuteronomy 19:1-13; Joshua 20:1-8; 21:12,21,27,32,38
“And among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites there shall be six cities for 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 told the people to give forty-eight cities to the Levites, six of these were to be used as cities of refuge so that if anyone killed a fellow human being by accident, he could run to it and be secured from the wrath of the avenger of blood. The cities were evenly distributed so that all the tribes could access them. Three cities were on one side Jordan where some of the tribes had settled (i.e. Reuben, Gad and half tribe of Manasseh) and three cities in the land of Canaan (Verse 14). Though the children of Israel gave those cities to the Levites in God’s divine gesture, part of what they gave would be used as cities of refuge to save the people (manslayers) from wrath (Numbers 35:15).
Question 3: Of what significance is the city of refuge to us today?
Today, Jesus is the Refuge given by God to save all sinners from the wrath to come, “And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come” (1 Thessalonians 1:10). To enjoy this provision of God, a sinner must approach Him in repentance and have faith in His atoning sacrifice without delay. After accepting Christ, he must abide in Him till he sees God in eternity.
God, in His omniscience, knew of the possibility of people needing a place of safety from the avenger of blood when they accidentally kill others. He, therefore, instructed Moses that the children of Israel should designate some cities as a place of safety and refuge. “And they shall be unto you cities for refuge from the avenger; that the manslayer die not, until he stand before the congregation in judgment” (Numbers 35:12) .
Question 4: State the characteristics of these cities of refuge
“These six cities shall be a refuge , both for the children of Israel, and for the stranger, and for the sojourner among them: that every one that killeth any person unawares may flee thither” (Numbers 35:15). There are several features of the cities of refuge portraying their significance and importance in the land of Israel and to youths today. These are:
(a) The cities of refuge were to be strategically located so that anyone seeking refuge would easily access them. Today, Jesus is available for everyone to be safe.
(b) The Lord instructed that roads should be properly constructed for easy access to the cities of refuge. Today, God does not expect anyone to constitute a barrier to those who are interested in His love and saving grace.
(c) The gates of the cities of refuge were never to be locked. They were to provide free access to anyone who wanted to get in. Jesus says, “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37). The door of salvation is still open for all sinners.
(d) The cities of refuge were the only guaranteed places of safety for anyone who was involved in unpremeditated killing. If they went outside the city, their safety was not guaranteed and the avenger of blood could slay them. Outside Christ, there is no safety. Only God can guarantee you sure safety. (e) The cities of refuge were cities designated for all the people of Israel and for strangers. While in the cities, justice, protection and provision were free to all. God does not discriminate; therefore, forgiveness of sins is available for all sinners. “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28). (f) The manslayer must remain in the city of refuge till the death of the high priest before he could return to his place of residence. To keep the blessing of salvation in Christ, one must continue to abide in Him, fellowship with believers, witness to others, read and obey His word, and pray for grace to be steadfast to the end.
- DEPENDENCE ON CHRIST FOR OUR REDEMPTION
Numbers 35:16-32; Exodus 21:14; 1 Kings 1:50-53; 2:28-34; Romans 3:23-26; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:12-14
“And if he smite him with an instrument of iron, so that he die, he is a murderer: the murderer shall surely be put to death” (Numbers 35:16). Although, the city of refuge provided safety to the innocent who accidentally slew someone, yet, anyone who was guilty and ran into the city of refuge was to be brought out of the place and put to death. The provision of the city of refuge was not an unconditional pardon for all types of sins. God specified the types of deaths caused, which permitted someone to enter the city of refuge, he was still to be tried to determine his innocence. Entrance into the city did not provide immediate pardon ; it only gave a temporary reprieve for the person. Also, the man who runs to the city of refuge for pardon must remain within its walls. If he comes out, the avenger of blood could kill him. The city of refuge was symbolic of the provision of salvation by Christ to redeem and help man from the final judgment.
God commanded Moses and the children of Israel, “Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inherit, wherein I dwell: for I the LORD dwell among the children of Israel” (Numbers 35:34). God delights in holiness and purity. He has made a place of refuge in Christ for those who remain holy and righteous. Heaven is a place where no defilement will be allowed. “And there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life” (Revelation 21:27). If the manslayer could with full determination and zeal run into the city of refuge, which provided just a temporary relief, how much more should believers be determined to abide in Christ to spend eternity with God in heaven.
Question 5: How can a Christian Youth maintain righteous living?
“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” (Romans 6:1,2). We must not allow sin in any form into our lives after receiving Christ as our Lord and Saviour. To maintain righteous living in Christ, a Christian youth must abide in Him, study and obey the word of God, fellowship with other believers, observe personal fellowship with the Lord, preach the gospel to his friends and separate himself from evil. “Abstain from all appearance of evil” (1 Thessalonians 5:22). By prayer of faith, we can live a life of righteousness here on earth. “For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously and godly, in this present world” (Titus 2:11,12).
