Men's Group Study Guide
Introduction
“Be self controlled, be watchful; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.” 1st Peter 5 vs. 8 draws a picture for us. To put it simply it is what happens when a man steps outside of obedience to God. We become much more vulnerable to the attacks of satan and his plans to rob us of the strength and joy that God wants to give us. If it was not for the grace of God through Jesus we would be devoured and killed. In Joshua chapter 20 we see an old testament picture of this principle from 1st Peter. We also have another chance, with introspective humility, to examine our own heart conditions and bring them before the Lord for correction. I suggest that we pray and ask the Lord to open our eyes to a new understanding of Him and who we are in Him. Ezra 9:8
STUDY NOTES: verses 1-9
Vs.1 The Lord also spoke to Joshua, saying, “ Speak to the children of Israel saying: “Appoint for yourselves cities of refuge, of which I spoke to you through Moses,…… vs.6 And he shall dwell in that city until he stands before the congregation for judgment, and until the death of the one who is high priest in those days. Then the slayer may return and come to his own city and his own house, to the city from which he fled.” God had given Moses all of the law that was to be introduced as they settled in their new land. This one particular law we read about is for the cities of refuge. We can see here how God has arranged for what he knows is inevitable. Men will kill and be killed. From the first time that I ever read these verses I could not understand why God would supply so many cities of refuge for these “manslayers.” Three on the east side of the Jordan and three on the west side of the Jordan. An abundance of refuge for an abundance of murderers. Honestly. How many times can an axe head fly off at just the right trajectory and kill another man. Catch my drift? How often does one man accidentally kill another man? If we did some research on the matter I think that we would see that it does not happen very often. 1st John 3:15 Whoever hates is a murderer. The point is, that God is always trying to get to the “heart” of the matter. He wants to deal with the root of the problem. It is the sin that still lingers within this flesh. You don’t have to actually shed the blood of another person to be guilty of the heinous crime of murder. Just like in Matthew 5:28, you don’t have to physically sleep with some woman other than your wife to commit adultery. All it takes is for you to feel that and meditate upon it. James 1:14-15 If we follow the biblical progression of things, it will all come back to Jesus. There is no place for us to go to receive justification. Just like these cities of refuge for murderers, so is Jesus for us. A safe haven where we can go for rest and renewal. Matthew 11:28-30 / Romans 3:24
Vs.7 So they appointed Kedesh in Galilee, in the mountains of Naphtali, Shechem in the mountains of Ephraim, and Kirjath Arba (which is Hebron) in the mountains of Judah…… vs.9 These were the cities appointed for all the children of Israel and for the stranger who dwelt among them, that whoever killed a person accidentally might flee there, and not die by the hand of the avenger of blood until he stood before the congregation. The cities of refuge are appointed. Is it just coincidence that all of these six cities were cities that would later belong to the Levites in chapter 21. I would venture to say that it was no coincidence. We know better than that. These cities could not be populated with just any‘ol Israelite. A person that was fleeing to these places of refuge was going to need a good priest. Someone that could show him how to get right with his God and walk him through the ceremonial laws of forgiveness. Someone to show him mercy. In His foresight God made room even for the strangers and sojourners that were not of the Jewish people. Again, it all points back to the perfection of Jesus. He is our refuge and our high priest. Hebrews 2:17 / Heb. 3:1-2 / Heb. 4:14-16
TRUTH APPLIED:
Q. 1 Do you understand the truth of 1st John 3:15? Do you agree with it?
Q. 2 Have you ever experienced hatred for another person? What did you do with it?
Q. 3 Does every person experience envy, covetousness, anger and hatred in their hearts?
Q. 4 According to the Word of God, what is the price to pay for these things that are in our hearts? Romans 2:9 / Revelation 20:15 / Matthew 25:46
Q. 5 The Bible tells us how we need a high priest and forgiveness. Chances are, you understand these truths, but do you understand it with your head or with your heart?
CONCLUSION:
In Numbers chapter 35:9-34 we can read of Gods original plan for the cities of refuge and the manslayers. It was to provide an opportunity for those people who had killed someone else a chance to appeal their case. They would have to prove without a reasonable doubt that what they had done was truly not on purpose. And just like the courts today the manslayer would stand before an assembly (the city gates) and prove his case. The big thing for us as Christians to remember is that even when we are found guilty, and that is more often times than not, we can be found innocent before the only One that matters, the Lord our God. Thank you Jesus!!