Cheraw chronicle. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1896-2005, 1919-03-13
LESSON FOR MARCH 16
THE CITIES OF REFUGE.

GOLDEN TEhf-BleSSed are the mer-
ciful: for they shall obtain mercy.-Mat-
thew 81.
ADDITIONAL MATERIAL Numbers
3: Deuteronomy 49,
PRIMARY TOPGC-Protecting the un-
fortunate
INTERMEDIATE TOPIC Treatmen,
OF urintentonal offenders.
SENIOR AND ADULT TOPIC-Our re-
spOnsiDility toward offenders.
I. The Need Of the Cities Of Refuge
(20:1-3).
Justice everywhere cried "An eye
for an eye" "a tooth for q TOOTH"
'BloOd for blood" and the avenger OF
blood was charged with the duty OF
satisfying this cry. While Justice
should not he allowed to miscarry II
is most important that there he mercy
shown. Sometimes just men forget to
be merciful. In order that the limo.
cent bc protected and mercy shown to
the unfortunate and yet justice bt
done the cities Of refuge were author
lied. 1t was not Il scheme oy
which the criminal was screened from
justice, hut q provision whereby the
innocent was protected.
u. Regulations Touching the Cities
Of Refuge GO :4-f).
|. The right of entrance not to he
denied (v. ~. 1t was obligatory upon
the rulers of the city to admit upon de-
mand the one who fed hither, pending
trial which would disclose the fact
rs to whether the crime had been In
territorial or not.
,. The security rf the one who en-
tered the city (v. -. The rulers of the
city did not dare to deliver the man
slayer to the arenger Df blood for pun
ishment until a fair trial had been
given; neither could tie avenger cross
over the threshold of the city to touch
n hnir of the one who had taken refuge
in it.
3. The right of fair trial ". 6). This
provision of mercy rlade 1t so TINT
the refugee could be safe while care
full investigation was made as TO
whether he had killed "unwittingly'
or by wicked purpose. If 1t should be
proved that the man was guilty OF
murder he was delivered over by the
authorities to the avenger of blood that
justice might be done.
4. The innocent sla.;er must remain
In the city (v. 81. Even though the
trial should exonerate him from lnten.
tional killing, yet he must remain In
the city In order to be saved. So grave
is the act Of taking human life that
4n-+he--rveret-ss..
be separated from his home and
friends at least until the death of the
high priest. This deprivation enforced
the obligation to shield life.
~. The Appointment Of the Cities
Of Refuge (20:7-0.
|. On the west side Of Jordan ". y.
(D Kedesh in Naphtali on the north
(2) Shechem in Mt. Ephraim In the
center; (3) Hebron in the south.
.. On the east side of Jordan ". -.
(1) Golan in Bashan on the north
(2) Ramoth- -Gilead In Cad In the cen
fer: (3) Beer In Reuben In the south.
Tn this distribution there WAS place
of safety accessible to all. These cities
were not only in reach. but good roads,
well marked. led TO them SO that the
refugee might reach place Of safety
before being Overtaken (Deur. 1877.
This beautifully illustrates the ref
uge which the sinner has in Christ
| % It's necessity. Since by accident
or wicked purpose men did kill, In Or
der to be saved from the arenger these
cities of necessity were appointed. All
have sinned and are exposed to the
wrath of God, therefore If amy be
saved a place of safety must be pro
vlded In Christ. (2) This provision
was by divine appointment. "Of him
are We In Christ Jesus Il Cor. l :30)
(3) The cities were accessible TO ull
They were so distributed that
wherever the unfortunate circum
stance should occur the slayer could
fee to the city before being overtaken
Christ IS not far OFF. The Bible shows
what great effort God makes to save
men. (4) The one who fed 70 the city
was secure. The avenger did not dare
cross over the threshold Of the city
Every one who Is in Christ IS secur"
No one can lay anything to the charge
of Gods elect. 90 The individual
must flee to the city. The manSlayei
would he exposed to danger If he re
moIned mt home or outside of the city
The sinner, If lie would be saved. mus
come to Christ. There Is no place o.
safety for those who remain away
The safety in Christ Is even more vita
than that In these cities. To him th'
cuiIty cnn flee with the assurance o