The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1902-10-30
The SABBATH SCHOOL.
International Lesson Comments For
November z.
Subject: Cities Of Refuge, Josh. xx., i.o---
Golden Text Pisa. XVII, MEMORY
Verses, ., documentary on the
Days Lesson.

Deys Lesson.
l. "The Lord also spake unto Joshua"
! As soon as the tribes had received the
portion of their inheritance, the Lord
! directed that Joshua should carry out the
injunctions which Moses had left respect.
ing the cities of refuge for the accidental
homicide. See Ex. 2l.l2l5; Mum. 50. 9.34;
Deut. 49, 2-l3.
2. Appoint. . cities of refuge" Prior
to the Mosaic age it was required of the
nearest relative, as matter OF duty, to
avenge the death of one who had been
slain. He was called the "Goep' or
"Avenger" Sometimes whole family
took upon them this duty. 2 Sam. IA: 7.
Naturally many evils would take place MS
result of this unceremoniousiy melting out
punishment on the offender, and 'it was
the aim of the Mosaic law, without alto.
gether abolishing the long-established Gus.
tom, to mitigate its evils as far as pos
sible"
8. "Unawares and unwittingly." That
is by accident, or without guilty intent.
May flee thither." The danger OF the
ancient plan of Furnishing crime was thai
| justice would give place to revenge, and
series of mutual retaliations would end in
increasing murders instead of preventing
them To avoid this danger the plan OF
cities of refuge was instituted.
4. "The gate of the city" The tribunal
of justice was at the gate of the city. The
refugee was not kept out of the city till
his innocence was proved but was permit.
ted to enter and relate his cause and re.
ceive the protection of the city. May
dwell among them" When the refugee
arrived at the city OF refuge he was taken
under the protection of the elders, who
were allowed to arrest him, If he were ad.
Judged a wllful murderer. Afterward he
must stand in judgment before the congre.
cation or the magistrates, and if then con.
demned he was to be delivered to the
avenger OF blood. This would prevent
"those abuses, which were generally made
of sanctuaries among other nations, in
which the most shameful criminals found
protection.
5. 'If the avenger of blood pursue"
When once sheltered, in one of these
cities. and proven innocent of intended
murder, the one who otherwise would
have had the right to put him to death. in
the place where the murder took place,
now could not touch him, unless he should,
by his own choice, go from the city and be
found by the avenger who might then take
his life, The city was a place OF protec-
tion while man remained within its
walls.
g.. Shall dwell in that city" If cxoner-
/ ated from wilful murder, he was safe, but
only SO long as he remained within the
/ city and its suburbs of one thousand cubits
/ beyond the walls Mum 35: 26-2s. lie
must remain there. away from his home
and business, till the death OF the high
/ priest This seeming hardship was neces-
sary and just, because there is usually
some fault or carelessness in even acci.
dental murders, and this great nconveni-
.nee would tend to carefulness and safety.
! Until the death of the high priesS." Re-
lease from this imprisonment could come
only through the death of Gods anointed
high priest. Mum. 80: %. Thus the
death OF one might become the release of
many. Every refugee in each of the six
cities would at once obtain his liberty.
Z. And they appointed" Rather, they
sanctihed, set apart for sacred purpose.
The cities of refuge were intended to pre-
serve the people and the land from blood.
outlines; hence the appointment to SO
high purpose carried with it the idea of
solemn conservation. Six cities were ap-
pointed for this purpose, three on either
side of the Jordan, easy of access from all
parts OF the land. None but Levitical
cities were chosen, and thus the refugees
during their stay, would have the benefit
of the assistance and instruction of the
Levites. The cities were on hills and could
| be seen afar off. They were so situated
that one of them could be reached from
any part of the country in a halliday. The
roads to the cities were to be kept in good
repair; no hillock was left, no river or
stream was allowed over which there was
not bridge; the road was to be at least
thirty-two cubits (three rods) broad, and
every kind of obstruction was to be re-
moved that might hurt the foot or hinder
the speed of the fugitive. At every turn
ing or branching of roads posts were erect
ed bearing the words, Refugel Refuge,
to guide the fugitive in his flight. In
tnitely greater pains has God taken to
lead guilty souls to the refuge of the
atoning blood of Jesus Christ. 'Kedesh"
There IS some signiication in the names of
the cities kedesh means to separate or
set apart. 1t implies the conservation OF
a person, or thing, to the worship or SER
vice OF God alone. Thus, as we look for
the comparison, we see Jesus as the Holy
| One OF God. set apart for lis as a Saviour
from sin. This city was in the extreme
northern part of the promised land in
Galilee, on the west of Jordan. "Shec.
hem" Shoulder, hence its readiness to
bear burdens, sustain, etc We read of
Christ, And the government shall be upon
Ills shoulder; and His name shall be called
/ Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God.
the everlasting Father, the Prince OF
Peace" lsa 8: 9. This city was in the
tribe OF Ephraim, near the centre of the
promised land, west of Jordan. Hebron"
This signifies fellowship, friendly assoca-
ton, to unite as friends. Through Christ,
sinners are brought into fellowship with
God, Hebron was situated in the southern
part OF Canaan and among the mountains
80 NnS htuesH, also west oil Jordan.
8. 'Bezer" A stronghold. a fortified.
ton. Jesus is stronghold, fortress to
those who trust in Him. This city was
| located east OF Jordan in the plain oppo-
site Jericho. "Ramoth." Exaltations,
high or exalted. OF Jesus, His name is
above every other name. He is exalted
to be the Saviour of the world This city
! was east of Jordan, about the middle of
the mountains of Gilead "Golan." Re
loicing or exultation. In Jesus all believers
rejoice and are justified He is their Joy
and their hope for salvation This city was
the capital of a district in the land OF
o. And for the stranger As these
! typilied the great provision which God
was making for the salvation of both Jews
and Gentlles, h'1ce the stranger, as well
as the lsraslite had the same rights to
the hereits OF these cities of refuge.
Until he stood before the congregation" "
| Tho Judges and elders OF Che people, in
trying. civil and criminal causes. always
sat; the per'ons who came for Judgment,
or who wee tried, always stood; hence