YOUTH STS LESSON 137 SOCIAL JUSTICE AND MILITARY SERVICE

TEXT: Deuteronomy 19:1-21; 20:1-20

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).

The Omniscient God has foreknowledge of all things. He is the Master designer and the Architect of the destiny of His beloved people. His plan towards Israel was perfect and providentially sufficient. His laws are all encompassing and permeate all aspects of His children’s life. Truly, He knows His thoughts towards them. “For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end” (Jeremiah 29:11). He made adequate provisions for them in the new land they would soon possess. Now we see Him making provision of cities of refuge in the land of Canaan, to take care of anyone “Whoso killeth his neighbour ignorantly, whom he hated not in time past” (Deuteronomy 19:4). In the Old Testament, warfare was physical (Exodus 17:8- 16; 1 Samuel 17:1-54; 2 Chronicles 20:1-30). However, the emphasis in the New Testament is on spiritual warfare (2 Corinthians 10:3-5). Spiritual warfare is not optional for a Christian youth. As long as a youth believes in Christ, he has a common enemy that is the devil. Whether you are ready to fight or not, the devil will fight. “Be sober, be vigilant; because you’re adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8). Despite the enemies’ strategies, they cannot prevail against the people of God (Jeremiah 1:19).

DIVINE PRECEPT ON THE CITIES OF REFUGE (Deuteronomy 19:1-21; Numbers 35:11-15; Joshua 20:2; 21:27, 32; 2 Chronicles 6:22-27)

The command of God that cities of refuge should be built to avert unnecessary slaying of anyone who kills his brother unawares was rehearsed by Moses to Israel. God commanded them to separate three cities in the midst of the land and prepare a way, divide the land into three parts for the slayer of blood to run in. As the land enlarges, they were to build three more. “If thou shalt keep all these commandments to do them, which I command thee this day, to love the Lord thy God, and to walk ever in his ways; then shalt thou add three cities more for thee, beside these three” (Deuteronomy 19:9). The total cities to be built as cities of refuge were six. They were to build three on the side Jordan and three in the land of Canaan. “Ye shall give three cities on this side Jordan, and three cities shall ye give in the land of Canaan, which shall be cities of refuge” (Numbers 35:13, 14).

Question 1: Is God in support of killing by commanding cities of refuge to be built for the slayer?

God does not encourage killing of man by man (Exodus 20:13). He made this known in the Scriptures that no man has right to kill another man. He is the avenger of such. When Cain killed Abel, God took vengeance on behalf of Abel and placed a curse on Cain (Genesis 4:11). Whatever the reason, God’s word says “And surely your blood of your lives will I require; at the hand of every beast will I require it, and at the hand of man; at the hand of every man’s brother will I require the life of man. Whoso sheddeth man’s blood, by man shall his blood be shed: for in the image in the image of God made he man” (Genesis 9:5,6). The cities of refuge were meant for those who kill another unawares.

Question 2: Is there any place we can liken to as the city of refuge, today?

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope” (Romans 15:4). Although there is no place we can literally call the city of refuge today, there are places that serve as places of refuge in times of troubles or civil unrest. Some of them are Police stations, Red Cross offices, Military Barracks, Kings’ palaces for those in the rural areas, etc. We must take advantage of these places when there is trouble or civil unrest for protection. Moreover God is the refuge of born again boys and girls. “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble” (Psalm 46:1). In this troublous world where enemies abound, He is also “a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy” (Psalms 61:3). Of course, the name of Jesus “is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe” (Proverbs 18:10). Access into the cities of refuge were not automatic. Although any slayer could run in there, such had to be examined before being granted a stay. “And this is the case of the slayer, which shall flee thither, that he may live” (Deuteronomy 19:4). The condition in which a slayer would be granted admission into any of the cities of refuge was only when he slew his neighbour ignorantly without record of pass hatred (Deuteronomy 19:5). God does not want the shedder of the blood of anyone who accidentally killed a neighbour by the avenger of blood. “Lest the avenger of the blood pursue the slayer, while his heart is hot, and overtake him, because the way is long, and slay him; whereas he was not worthy of death, inasmuch as he hated him not in the time past” (Deuteronomy 19:6).

The gracious nature of God in giving reason for the slayer to be conceded into the cities of refuge should be a challenge to the Christian youths. The youths should always endeavour to make their intentions known to others when they want to take decisions that could affect them. “Thou shalt not remove thy neighbour’s landmark, which they of old time have set in thine inheritance, which thou shalt inherit in the land that the Lord thy God giveth thee to possess it” (Deuteronomy 19:14). A landmark is a mark put on a particular place in a piece of land to demarcate such a place ascertained to be the boundary. Two people sharing inheritance see such as their boundary. God warned Israel not to remove such landmark, doing this will lead to controversy between two people. To avoid that, God commanded Israel to have respect for landmarks in their generations. Just the same way the children of Israel were guided by landmarks to know their bounds, so are Christians today. God’s word is our landmark. It set the boundary on how we may walk and what to do in every situation. “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). Two or three witnesses are necessary to avoid falsehood. Christian youths should not be false witnesses. They should not also refuse to be witnesses where necessary. “A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he that speaketh lies shall not escape” (Proverbs 19:5). The Lord’s command to judges in Israel was to make diligent investigations of any controversy brought before them to find out the truth. When falsehood is discovered, the false witness must be punished (verse 19). The punishment should be open so that “those which remain shall hear, and fear, and shall henceforth commit no more any such evil among you” (Deuteronomy 19:20). Youths and leaders should follow this landmark of resolution in controversial cases (Romans 12:17,18).

DIVINE PROMISES DURING WARFARE (Deuteronomy 20:1- 4; 11:22-25; Joshua 1:1-5; Exodus 14:13-18; Isaiah 43:1-3; 54:17; Luke 10:19; Ephesians 6:10-18; 2 Timothy 4:17,18; Psalm 91:1-16)

“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). The Lord clearly stated that there would be enemies the children of Israel would fight as they entered the Promised Land. Do not be ignorant of the fact that there are enemies who do not want you to make progress either spiritually or physically. However, the Lord warned them not to be afraid of the number of horses, chariots and the people they saw. God does not care about the number of our enemies (2 Chronicles 14:11). This is because the power and the promises of God with faith will conquer all our enemies.

Question 3: What is the importance of faith during warfare?

“Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked” (Ephesians 6:16). Faith in God grants Christian youths victory over battles of life. It grants them boldness and courage to face the enemies without fear. It also enables the promises and the power of God to work effectively. Faith directs the power of prayer to reach its target and brings confusion to the enemies’ camp. Faith moves God into action to defend and deliver His people from danger. Faith looks at the invisible One as the great One that will overcome all the fiery darts or arrows of the wicked one. Faith protects and preserves them during life’s battles. Faith produces victory and conquers all foes. Therefore, develop your faith to prevail over the devil and his agents. Examples of those who overcame through faith in God include David (1 Samuel 17:37,45-47), Jehoshaphat (2 Chronicles 20:12-20), Hezekiah (Isaiah 37:15-20,35,36), Daniel (Daniel 6:21-23), Peter (Acts 12:3-11), Paul (2 Timothy 4:14-18), etc.

Question 4: In what areas are youths facing battles of life, today?

“For the LORD your God is he that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you” (verse 4). There are several areas youths are facing battles of life. These include the aspect of the salvation of their souls (Matthew 11:12), victory over sin and the world (Luke 4:1-13), contending for the truth (Jude 3), soul-winning (Acts 13:6-12), satanic oppressions through sickness, failure, poverty, disappointment (Luke 13:10-17) and poor academic performance (John 10:10). But God can grant us victory through our Lord, Jesus Christ, over all the battles of our lives (1 Corinthians 15:57).

DIVINE PRINCIPLES FOR WARFARE (Deuteronomy 20:5-12; 24:5; Luke 9:57-62; Joshua 5:13-15; 2 Chronicles 13:12; Ephesians 2:12-17)

The Old Testament principles for warfare are very different from that of the New Testament. From our text, verses 5-8 deal with principles the children of Israel must observe before the war while verses 9-12 deal with planning for the war. In God’s dealings with them concerning the laws of warfare, the officers were charged with the responsibility of checking up from the people, those who had some peculiar cases that would shift their attention from concentrating during warfare. These cases were

(a) those who built new houses without dedicating it;

(b) a man who planted a vineyard;

(c) a man who just married a wife; and

(d) those who were fearful and fainthearted. Those in these groups were to return home. These principles were good for the children of Israel because most of their warfare were physical. Today, the New Testament believers are faced with temptations and spiritual warfare on daily basis. None of the people exempted in the Old Testament can be excused from fighting the good fight of faith and lay hold on eternal life if they were present today (1 Timothy 6:12).

Question 5: Answer TRUE or False:

(a) Christian youths should stop winning souls because they are seeking are seeking admission into higher institution.

(b) Christian youths should continue to pray fervently while on the campus.

(c) Christian youths should not attend fellowship because they have to plait their hair or watch football match.

(d) Christian youths should pray and read the word of God during examinations.

“And it shall be, when the officers have made an end of speaking unto the people, that they shall make captains of the armies to lead the people” (verse 9). After the officers have ended speaking to the people, captains were to be appointed to lead the people to war. As Christian youths, Jesus Christ, who has never lost any battle is our Captain (Hebrews 2:9,10). “When thou comest nigh unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it” (verse 10). Planning according to the divine instruction will give us victory. The Lord instructed the children of Israel to seek peace with their enemies afar off before war. If these enemies refused peace with them, they should besiege them. Christian youths should be peace loving. We are commanded, “If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men” (Romans 12:18). The evidence of being children of God is when we live in peace with others (Hebrews 12:14). A sinner does not have peace in himself. Hence, he cannot manifest peace with others. “There is no peace, saith the LORD, unto the wicked” (Isaiah 48:22).

Question 6: How can a sinner have peace with God?

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ” (Romans 5:1). For a sinner to have peace with God, he must turn away from his wickedness and be forgiven by faith through Jesus Christ. Do you have peace with God?Receive Jesus now, “for he is our peace” (Ephesians 2:14). “And when the LORD thy God hath delivered it into thine hands, thou shalt smite every male thereof with the edge of the sword” (verse 13). This verse gives a definite assurance from God to conquer the enemies of His people. However, they must kill every male while the women, children, cattle and all the spoils should be taken for themselves. This precept was for those nations that were very far from them. “Thus shalt thou do unto all the cities which are very far off from thee, which are not of the cities of these nations” (verse 15). Also, the Lord commanded them to “eat the spoil of thine enemies, which the LORD thy God hath given thee” (verse 14). David, in one of his exploits, instructed that everyone should enjoy the spoils taken from war. This was accepted as a statute and an ordinance in Israel (1 Samuel 30:18-25). In the same vein, Jesus our Captain also won the victory and gives us wonderful gifts (Ephesians 4:7-10). This is the fulfilment of the prophecy concerning Jesus Christ (Psalm 68:18).