Browse Bible Study Resources

Practice of Justice in Canaan

Text: Deuteronomy 19:1-13
9 October 2018

PRACTICE OF JUSTICE IN CANAAN

1. Laws had been given

2. Judges to be appointed

3. Extra provision of “cities of refuge”

CITIES OF REFUGE

1. Three cities to be set aside as “cities of refuge”   (Deuteronomy 19:2)

2. Roads to these cities to be prepared   (Deuteronomy 19:3)

3. For the “manslayer”   (Deuteronomy 19:3)

THE CASE OF THE MANSLAYER

1. Unintentional slaying   (Deuteronomy 19:4)

2. No hatred noted in the past   (Deuteronomy 19:4)

3. Accidental death   (Deuteronomy 19:5)

THE AVENGER OF BLOOD

1. He is angry   (Deuteronomy 19:6)

2. He pursues the manslayer   (Deuteronomy 19:6)

3. The cities of refuge would help prevent bloodshed

POSSIBILITY OF ADDING THREE MORE CITIES

1. If the territories are enlarged   (Deuteronomy 19:8)

2. Why God would bless with more territory   (Deuteronomy 19:9)

a) If the commandments are kept
b) If there is love for the Lord
c) If the people walked with God

3. More cities of refuge

Lest innocent blood is shed   (Deuteronomy 19:10)

POSSIBLE ABUSE OF THE CITIES OF REFUGE

1. Hatred of neighbour   (Deuteronomy 19:11)

2. Slaying of victim   (Deuteronomy 19:11)

3. The elders of land must uphold justice   (Deuteronomy 19:12)

4. The murderer must be dealt with appropriately   (Deuteronomy 19:13)

a) No sparing
b) No guilt of innocent blood on the nation   (Deuteronomy 19:13)