From inallthingspray.net:
Read Numbers 34 to Numbers 36
[Open SBC Online Bible]
Highlights:
The "Master Map Maker" lays out the boundaries of the land He gave His people after they fought to conquer it. He provides for those dedicated to His service. God reveals how to deal with manslaughter and murder.
God provided cities of refuge to protect those who had unintentionally killed someone. Among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites there shall be six cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint for the manslayer (Num. 35:6).
Even if the act was proven to be accidental, the manslayer was to remain in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest. As long as he was there, he was protected from the avenger (the nearest male relative of the victim). But if he left the city before the high priest died, the avenger could legally put him to death. The death of the high priest "atoned" for the manslayer and pictured Christ's death to atone for our sins. The manslayer could then leave as a free person with no fear of being put to death.
However, if the incident was proven to be deliberate murder, the murderer shall be put to death. . . . ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death. . . . so ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it. Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit (35:30-34). There was to be no consideration of time in prison, the possibility of reform, or a financial settlement. The guilty person was immediately delivered to the avenger of blood to be put to death. God said that to spare the life of a guilty murderer would defile the nation, for the murderer not only had destroyed one who was created in the image of God (Gen. 1:26-27), but he also had intentionally taken from God His authority over that life.
Murder does not mean the taking of another's life in self-defense or in time of war. The Lord often commanded the Israelites to defend their country and themselves, and directed them to bring judgment on ungodly nations through war.
In the New Testament, Christ revealed that hate and anger are sinful since they often lead to murder (Matt. 5:21-22). God expects more from His followers, who have been saved by the blood of His Son, than merely refraining from murder. God demands the highest respect for human life, for man was created in His image.He commanded: Love one another; as I have loved you (John 13:34).
Thought for Today:
But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows (Luke 12:7).
Christ Revealed:
By the cities of refuge. Christ is our Refuge from the judgment of God and the curse of the Law. We . . . have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the Hope set before us . . . even Jesus (Heb. 6:18,20).
Word Studies:
34:5 fetch a compass take a turn, goings out end; 35:15 unawares unintentionally; 35:26 come without go outside; 36:4 jubile refers to every fiftieth year, when all debts were canceled (Lev. 25:10-12,28).
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Staff: Ilene Wallace • Bible Pathway Printer: Ambrose Printing Staff, Nashville TN • Government Officials: (28) Sec. Steven Chu (Dept. of Energy), Gov. Togiola Tulafono (American Samoa), and (29) Rep. Bart Stupak (MI) • Country: United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, & Wales) (59.4 million) off the coast of western Europe • Major languages: English and Welsh • Religious freedom • 55% Anglican; 16% Catholic; 6% Other Protestant; 2% Muslim; .9% Sikh; .8% Hindu; .6% Jewish; .2% Buddhist; 10.5% Other; 5% Unaffiliated • Prayer Suggestion: Pray diligently with other believers and God will answer (Acts 12:5-10).
Optional Reading: Luke 15
Luke 15 (King James Version)
Luke 15
1Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
2And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
3And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
4What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
5And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
7I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
8Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?
9And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.
10Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
11And he said, A certain man had two sons:
12And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
13And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
14And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
17And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
22But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
25Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
26And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
27And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
28And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
29And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
30But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
31And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
32It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
Memory Verse for the Week:
Exodus 20:6
Exodus 20:6 (King James Version)
6And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
Read Numbers 34 to Numbers 36
[Open SBC Online Bible]
Highlights:
The "Master Map Maker" lays out the boundaries of the land He gave His people after they fought to conquer it. He provides for those dedicated to His service. God reveals how to deal with manslaughter and murder.
God provided cities of refuge to protect those who had unintentionally killed someone. Among the cities which ye shall give unto the Levites there shall be six cities for refuge, which ye shall appoint for the manslayer (Num. 35:6).
Even if the act was proven to be accidental, the manslayer was to remain in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest. As long as he was there, he was protected from the avenger (the nearest male relative of the victim). But if he left the city before the high priest died, the avenger could legally put him to death. The death of the high priest "atoned" for the manslayer and pictured Christ's death to atone for our sins. The manslayer could then leave as a free person with no fear of being put to death.
However, if the incident was proven to be deliberate murder, the murderer shall be put to death. . . . ye shall take no satisfaction for the life of a murderer, which is guilty of death: but he shall be surely put to death. . . . so ye shall not pollute the land wherein ye are: for blood it defileth the land: and the land cannot be cleansed of the blood that is shed therein, but by the blood of him that shed it. Defile not therefore the land which ye shall inhabit (35:30-34). There was to be no consideration of time in prison, the possibility of reform, or a financial settlement. The guilty person was immediately delivered to the avenger of blood to be put to death. God said that to spare the life of a guilty murderer would defile the nation, for the murderer not only had destroyed one who was created in the image of God (Gen. 1:26-27), but he also had intentionally taken from God His authority over that life.
Murder does not mean the taking of another's life in self-defense or in time of war. The Lord often commanded the Israelites to defend their country and themselves, and directed them to bring judgment on ungodly nations through war.
In the New Testament, Christ revealed that hate and anger are sinful since they often lead to murder (Matt. 5:21-22). God expects more from His followers, who have been saved by the blood of His Son, than merely refraining from murder. God demands the highest respect for human life, for man was created in His image.He commanded: Love one another; as I have loved you (John 13:34).
Thought for Today:
But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows (Luke 12:7).
Christ Revealed:
By the cities of refuge. Christ is our Refuge from the judgment of God and the curse of the Law. We . . . have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the Hope set before us . . . even Jesus (Heb. 6:18,20).
Word Studies:
34:5 fetch a compass take a turn, goings out end; 35:15 unawares unintentionally; 35:26 come without go outside; 36:4 jubile refers to every fiftieth year, when all debts were canceled (Lev. 25:10-12,28).
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Staff: Ilene Wallace • Bible Pathway Printer: Ambrose Printing Staff, Nashville TN • Government Officials: (28) Sec. Steven Chu (Dept. of Energy), Gov. Togiola Tulafono (American Samoa), and (29) Rep. Bart Stupak (MI) • Country: United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, & Wales) (59.4 million) off the coast of western Europe • Major languages: English and Welsh • Religious freedom • 55% Anglican; 16% Catholic; 6% Other Protestant; 2% Muslim; .9% Sikh; .8% Hindu; .6% Jewish; .2% Buddhist; 10.5% Other; 5% Unaffiliated • Prayer Suggestion: Pray diligently with other believers and God will answer (Acts 12:5-10).
Optional Reading: Luke 15
Luke 15 (King James Version)
Luke 15
1Then drew near unto him all the publicans and sinners for to hear him.
2And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.
3And he spake this parable unto them, saying,
4What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it?
5And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing.
6And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.
7I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.
8Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it?
9And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost.
10Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.
11And he said, A certain man had two sons:
12And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living.
13And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.
14And when he had spent all, there arose a mighty famine in that land; and he began to be in want.
15And he went and joined himself to a citizen of that country; and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.
16And he would fain have filled his belly with the husks that the swine did eat: and no man gave unto him.
17And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
18I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee,
19And am no more worthy to be called thy son: make me as one of thy hired servants.
20And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
21And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.
22But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:
23And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:
24For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
25Now his elder son was in the field: and as he came and drew nigh to the house, he heard musick and dancing.
26And he called one of the servants, and asked what these things meant.
27And he said unto him, Thy brother is come; and thy father hath killed the fatted calf, because he hath received him safe and sound.
28And he was angry, and would not go in: therefore came his father out, and intreated him.
29And he answering said to his father, Lo, these many years do I serve thee, neither transgressed I at any time thy commandment: and yet thou never gavest me a kid, that I might make merry with my friends:
30But as soon as this thy son was come, which hath devoured thy living with harlots, thou hast killed for him the fatted calf.
31And he said unto him, Son, thou art ever with me, and all that I have is thine.
32It was meet that we should make merry, and be glad: for this thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.
Memory Verse for the Week:
Exodus 20:6
Exodus 20:6 (King James Version)
6And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
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