1. powerpoint presentation designed by claro ruiz vicente http://clarovicente.weebly.com Adult Bible Study Guide Oct Nov Dec 2009 Adult Bible Study Guide Oct Nov Dec 2009

2. Dear User … This PowerPoint Show is freely shared to all who may find it beneficial. While intended primarily for personal use, some find it useful for teaching the lesson in church. There are those, however, who add illustrations, change background, adjust font size, etc. While their intention may be good, this is not right. Slide #1 says “designed by claro ruiz vicente.” For honest Christians, it is not necessary for another’s creation to be copyrighted in order to be respected. PLEASE USE AS IS. The Book of Numbers An Appeal

3. Reinder Bruinsma Principal Contributor

4. People on the Move: The Book of Numbers Contents Chapters 1. A New Order 1–4 2. Preparing a People 5, 6 3. Worship and Dedication 7, 8 4. Trumpets, Blood, Cloud, and Fire 9, 10 5. From Complaints to Apostasy 11–14 6. Planning Ahead 15 7. Power Struggle 16, 17 8. Priests and Levites 9, 18, 19 9. The Sin of Moses and Aaron 20, 21 10. The “Madness” of the Prophet 22–24 11. Immorality on the Border 25, 31 12. The Second Generation: Admonitions 26–32 13. Cities of Refuge 33–36

5. People on the Move: The Book of Numbers Our Goal {181} AS A people on the move, as a people seeking to reach the Promised Land, as a people called out by God, we could learn from the book of Numbers. The most important lesson is that God will fulfill His promises.

6. People on the Move: The Book of Numbers Lesson 13, December 26 People on the Move: The Book of Numbers Lesson 13, December 26

7. Cities of Refuge Key Text Hebrews 6:18, 19 NKJV “WE … WHO have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast.”

8. Cities of Refuge Initial Words {339} THOUGH GOD was faithful in doing all that He promised, the nation proved unfaithful. They refused to trust, refused to act in faith even though they had witnessed dramatic manifestations of God’s power in ways that most of us never have seen and, at least in this life, probably never will. But the Lord was not through.

9. Cities of Refuge Quick Look 1. Cities of “REFUGE” (Numbers 35:2, 3, 7) 2. Cities of REFUGE (Numbers 35:11, 12, 14) 3. Christ, Our REFUGE (2 Samuel 22:3)

10. Cities of Refuge 1. Cities of “Refuge” Numbers 35:2, 3, 7 NKJV “ ‘COMMAND THE children of Israel that they give the Levites cities to dwell in from the inheritance of their possession, and you shall also give the Levites common-land around the cities … for all their animals. So all the cities you will give to the Levites shall be forty-eight….’ ”

11. 1.Cities of “Refuge” Cities of the Levites {342} THE LEVITES, then, were to be scattered among all the tribes of Israel; that is, they weren’t gathered in one specific area. They were to live among the people. They in their sacred roles could be a constant witness to the people of what faithfulness and holiness should be about.

12. 1.Cities of “Refuge” Cities of the Levites {342} Living among them, sharing in their struggles, sorrows, and joys, the Levites—had they been faithful in their task—could have been a blessing to the nation. They were not to be some exclusive, elite, arrogant class. They were to serve, not served. What an example of what true ministry is all about.

13. Cities of Refuge 2. Cities of Refuge Numbers 35:11, 12, 14 NKJV “ ‘THEN YOU shall appoint cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the manslayer who kills any person accidentally may flee there … that the manslayer may not die until he stands before the congregation in judgment. Three cities on this side of Jordan, and three cities … in the land of Canaan.’ ”

14. 2. Cities of Refuge System of Justice {344} AT THIS time in ancient Israel, no system of justice operated. If a man accidentally or on purpose killed a man, the victim’s nearest of kin became his “avenger of blood” (Deut 19:12) to execute justice. To prevent miscarriage of justice, a system of six cities were appointed to which the murderer could flee for safety.

15. 2. Cities of Refuge System of Justice {344} Fleeing to the city automatically didn’t guarantee permanent asylum. It would be a temporary refuge “until he stands before the congregation in judgment.” That is, until the facts of the case could be established. The cities did not provide some kind of permanent diplomatic immunity.

16. 2. Cities of Refuge System of Justice {344} The gospel of forgiveness and grace, as taught by Christ, doesn’t mean that crime, especially something as heinous as murder, goes unpunished by society. What we see here is God’s way of making sure that one of the worst crimes, that of murder, is dealt with in a fair and just manner.

17. 2 Samuel 22:3 NKJV “ ‘THE GOD of my strength, in Him I will trust, My shield and the horn of my salvation, My stronghold and my refuge; My Savior, You save from violence.’ ” Cities of Refuge 3. Christ, Our Refuge

18. 3. Christ Our Refuge Patriarchs and Prophets 516, 517 {348} “THE CITIES of refuge … were a symbol of the refuge provided in Christ. The same merciful Saviour who appointed those temporal cities of refuge has by shedding of His own blood provided for the transgressors of God’s law a sure retreat, into which they may flee for safety from the second death.

19. 3. Christ Our Refuge Patriarchs and Prophets 516, 517 {348} “He who fled the city of refuge could make no delay.... There was no time to say farewell to loved ones. His life is at stake, and every other interest must be sacrificed to the one purpose—to reach the place of safety.... The fugitive dare not for one moment slacken his pace until he was within the wall of the city.”

20. 3. Christ Our Refuge Patriarchs and Prophets 516, 517 {350} “The prisoner who at any time went outside the city of refuge was abandoned to the avenger of blood. Thus the people were taught to adhere to the methods which infinite wisdom appointed for their security. Even so, it is not enough that the sinner believe in Christ for the pardon of sin; he must by faith and obedience, abide in Him.”

21. 3. Christ Our Refuge Patriarchs and Prophets 516, 517 {348} The parallel is not exact, because our understanding of the Cross is that even those who have committed premeditated sin, even murder, can be forgiven by God.”

22. Cities of Refuge Final Words {191} The theme of the Bible, again and again, is that God will fulfill His promises. The Lord will have His redeemed people in a new heaven and new earth. That is beyond question. The only question for us is, Will we be there, or will we be like the first generation, who despite all that was done for them, refused to enter into the promises given them?