Sunday
December 14
1. RETALIATION
a. After Adam and Eve were expelled from the beautiful Garden, what controversy erupted between two brothers? Genesis 4:3–7.
b. How did Cain decide to resolve the issue between them, and what curse was placed upon him? Genesis 4:8–15.
“In sparing the life of the first murderer, God presented before the whole universe a lesson bearing upon the great controversy. The dark history of Cain and his descendants was an illustration of what would have been the result of permitting the sinner to live on forever, to carry out his rebellion against God.”–Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 78.
c. How was the next murder viewed? Genesis 4:16–18, 23, 24.
“To the crime of murder, in which Cain had led the way, Lamech, the fifth in descent, added polygamy, and, boastfully defiant, he acknowledged God, only to draw from the avenging of Cain an assurance of his own safety.”–Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 81.
d. After the Flood, what principle was established? Genesis 9:6.
Monday
December 15
2. A SAFETY PRECAUTION
a. What unique provision did God give Israel for those who were innocent of intentional killing? Joshua 20:1–3.
“This merciful provision [of appointing cities of refuge] was rendered necessary by the ancient custom of private vengeance, by which the punishment of the murderer devolved on the nearest relative or the next heir of the deceased. In cases where guilt was clearly evident it was not necessary to wait for a trial by the magistrates. The avenger might pursue the criminal anywhere and put him to death wherever he should be found. The Lord did not see fit to abolish this custom at that time, but He made provision to ensure the safety of those who should take life unintentionally.”–Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 515.
b. When a person’s body was found and there was no suspect, what steps were promptly taken to find the slayer? Deuteronomy 21:1–9.
“To increase the horrors of murder and aid in the detection of the criminal, the Lord ordained that when the body of a murdered person was found in the land, the most solemn and public ceremony should be held, under the direction of the magistrates and elders in connection with the priests.”–The Signs of the Times, January 20, 1881.
c. How many cities in Israel were set aside for this purpose, and how were they distributed? Numbers 35:6, 9–14; Joshua 20:7–9.
“The cities of refuge were so distributed as to be within a half day’s journey of every part of the land. The roads leading to them were always to be kept in good repair; all along the way signposts were to be erected bearing the word ‘Refuge’ in plain, bold characters, that the fleeing one might not be delayed for a moment. Any person–Hebrew, stranger, or sojourner–might avail himself of this provision. But while the guiltless were not to be rashly slain, neither were the guilty to escape punishment. The case of the fugitive was to be fairly tried by the proper authorities, and only when found innocent of intentional murder was he to be protected in the city of refuge. The guilty were given up to the avenger. And those who were entitled to protection could receive it only on condition of remaining within the appointed refuge.”–Patriarchs and Prophets, pp. 515, 516.
Tuesday
December 16
3. DECLARED INTENT
a. Who was able to make use of these cities of refuge, and how urgent was their arrival there? Numbers 35:15, 22–24; Deuteronomy 19:4, 5. If the fugitive would escape with his life, what must he do?
“He who fled to the city of refuge could make no delay. Family and employment were left behind. There was no time to say farewell to loved ones. His life was at stake, and every other interest must be sacrificed to the one purpose–to reach the place of safety. Weariness was forgotten, difficulties were unheeded. The fugitive dared not for one moment slacken his pace until he was within the wall of the city.”– Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 517.
b. What were those who had fled required to publicly declare upon entrance into a city of refuge? Joshua 20:4, 5; Numbers 35:12.
c. Once a person found shelter, how long was he or she to remain in that city of refuge? Numbers 35:25, 32; Joshua 20:6.
d. What if the prisoner decided to leave his place of security before he was legally released? Numbers 35:26–28.
“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.”–Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 517.
e. Since the cities of refuge were provided only for those who had accidentally killed a person, what happened to an individual who was convicted for deliberate murder? Numbers 35:16, 21, 31.
“If the one tried for murder were proved guilty, no atonement or ransom could rescue him.”–Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 516.
Wednesday
December 17
4. THE JUST PENALTY
a. Why were the Israelites required to put the murderer to death? Exodus 21:14; Numbers 35:33, 34.
“The safety and purity of the nation demanded that the sin of murder be severely punished. Human life, which God alone could give, must be sacredly guarded.”–Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 516.
“God regards as His enemies those who will by any act of negligence shield the guilty. They are in His sight partakers in the evil deeds of the sinner.”–The Signs of the Times, January 20, 1881.
b. In symbolic language, for what does the blood of a murdered victim cry? Who was to execute the judgment on the convicted murderer? Genesis 4:10; Revelation 6:9, 10; Numbers 35:19.
“Whosoever–be it individual or city–will excuse the crime of the murderer, when convinced of his guilt, is a partaker of his sin, and will surely suffer the wrath of God.”–The Signs of the Times, January 20, 1881.
c. What was one of the main crimes of the antediluvian world, and why is this bringing modern society to the same point of destruction? Genesis 6:11; Luke 17:26; Isaiah 59:14.
“Licentiousness, robbery, and murder, continually on the increase, are deluging our world, and preparing it to receive the unmingled wrath of God.”–The Signs of the Times, January 20, 1881.
d. What are some of the strict guidelines in determining innocence or guilt, and why? Numbers 35:30; Matthew 18:16.
“The provision that none should be condemned on the testimony of one witness was both just and necessary. One man might be controlled by prejudice, selfishness, or malice. But it was not likely that two or more persons would be so perverted as to unite in bearing false witness; and even should they do so, a separate examination would lead to a discovery of the truth.”–The Signs of the Times, January 20, 1881.
Thursday
December 18
5. PERFECT WISDOM AND BALANCE
a. Explain how God’s judicial system was based on mercy and justice. Psalm 89:14.
“While the Lord would have the crime of murder regarded with great abhorrence, He would carefully guard the innocent. Hence, without entirely destroying the custom of private vengeance, He makes the most thorough provision that the guiltless be not rashly slain without trial, nor the guilty escape punishment.”–The Signs of the Times, January 20, 1881.
Friday
December 19
REVIEW AND THOUGHT QUESTIONS
1. How did the concept of retaliation find an early foothold on earth?
2. To protected those who accidentally killed someone, what unique plan did God introduce among His people?
3. A person found innocent of intentional murder, for what length of time was he or she to remain in his or her city of refuge?
4. How does toleration of intentional murderers affect the entire land?
5. Why were two or more witnesses required in order to convict a person of intentional murder?
“It was the fact that licentiousness and murder were lightly regarded that fitted Sodom for God’s judgments. Had those in authority taken upon themselves the work which the Lord had appointed them–fathers commencing in their own families to correct wrong, and magistrates and rulers acting with promptness and decision to punish the guilty–others would have feared, and crime would have decreased. God would not then have deemed it necessary to take the matter in hand Himself, and by terrible things in righteousness, execute the justice which had been perverted by men in authority.”–The Signs of the Times, January 20, 1881.
“No one man’s judgment is to control in any important matter. Mutual consideration and respect imparts proper dignity to the ministry, and unites the servants of God in close bonds of love and harmony. While they should depend upon God for strength and wisdom, ministers of the gospel should confer together in all matters requiring deliberation. ‘That in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established’ (Matthew 18:16).”–Ibid.