The Brinkley argus., 1919-03-14
LESSON FOR MARCH 16
THE CITIES OF REFUGE.

LESSON TExT-Joshua 20
 GOLDEN TEXT-Blessed are the mer- ciful: for they shall obtain mercy thew 5:7.
 ADDITIONAL MATERIAL = Numbers 36; Deuteronomy 19
 PRIMARY TOPIC-Protecting the un- fortunate
 INTERMEDIATE TOPIC = Treatment of unintentional offenders
 SENIOR AND ADULT TOPIC-Our re- sponsibility toward offenders.
 |. The Need of the Cities of Refuge (20 :1-3).
 Justice everywhere cried "An eye for an eye" "A tooth for tooth" "Blood for blood" and the avenger of blood was charged with the duty of satisfying this cry. While justice should not be allowed to miscarry 1t Is most important that there be mercy shown. Sometimes just men forget to be merciful. In order that the inno- cent be protected and mercy shown to the unfortunate and yet justice be done the cities of refuge were author ized. It was not scheme by which the criminal was screened from Justice, but . provision whereby the innocent was protected.
 II. Regulations Touching the Cities of Refuge (20 :4-6).
 1. The right of entrance not to be denied (v. Al. It was obligatory upon the rulers of the city to admit upon de- mand the one who fled hither, pending a trial which would disclose the fact as to whether the crime had been in- tentional or not.
 9 The security of the one who en- tered the city (v. 3. The rulers of the city did not dare to deliver the man slayer to the avenger of blood for pun ishment until fair trial had been given; neither could the avenger cross over the threshold of the city to touch a hair of the one who had taken refuge in 1t.
 8. The right of fair trial (v. 6). This provision of mercy made it so that the refugee could be safe while care ful 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 slayer must remain in the city (v. 6). Even though the trial should exonerate him from inten- tional killing. yet he must remain in the city in order to be saved. So grave Is the act of taking human life that even the Innocent man was obliged to be separated from his home and friends at least until the death of the high priest This deprivation enforced the obligation to shield life.
 III. The Appointment of the Cities of Refuge (20:7-9).
 l. On the west side of Jordan (v. D. CD Kedesh in Naphtali on the north; (2) Shechem in Mt. Ephraim in the center; (3) Hebron in the south.
 g. On the east side of Jordan (v. 8. CD Golan in Bashan on the north; (2) Ramoth- -Gilead in Cad in the cen ter; (3) Bezer in Reuben in the south. In 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 (Deut. 19).
 This beautifully Illustrates the ref uge which the sinner has in Christ: (1) It's necessity. Since by accident or wicked purpose men did kill, in or der to be saved from the avenger these cities of necessity were appointed. All have sinned and are exposed to the wrath of God. therefore if any be saved q place of safety must be pro vided in Christ. (2) This provision was by divine appointment. "Of him are ye In Christ Jesus" q Cor. :30). (3) The cities were accessible to all. They were so distributed that wherever the unfortunate circum- stance should occur the slayer could fee to the city before being oyertaken. Christ Is not far off. The Bible shows what great effort God makes to save men. (4) The one who fled to the city was secure. The avenger did not dare cross over the threshold of the city. Every one who Is in Christ is secure. No one can lay anything to the charge of Gods elect. (5) The individual must flee to the city. The manslayer would be exposed to danger If he re- mained at home or outside of the city. The sinner, If he would be saved, must come to Christ There Is no place of safety for those who remain away. The safety in Christ Is even more vital than that in these cities. To him the guilty can flee with the assurance of safety.
 The Only Rtches