Commentary on "Cities of Refuge"

MARK MARTIN

 

Day 3: Monday, December 21, 2009

 

In today’s lesson we are asked to read Numbers 35:1-8 and Ephesians 2 and answer a few more questions.

 

What provision was made for the Levites?

The Levites were provided 48 cities (more like towns) including 6 cities of refuge. They were also given pastureland around these cities.

 

What does this teach us about how the Levites were to live?

The needs of the Lord’s service were provided through the people of Israel. They were to live across Israel not together as a tribe like the others. They were to be ministers to all the tribes.

 

What does this tell us about what it means to part of a community of believers? (Ephesians 2)

The Ephesian church was made up of mostly Gentile believers who under the Old Covenant could enter the nation of Israel only as proselytes. They were not born into the nation and could never participate like a Jew. As believers in Christ, these Ephesians were born into God’s family and could now participate in every kind of ministry the Holy Spirit led them into. No longer were Gentiles limited in worship and ministry; they could be right alongside Jewish believers in every facet of the Christian life. A united community of God’s people was possible like never before.

 

How best can we fit into our community and fulfill whatever roles we are called to?

First of all we must know we are in the community of true believers in Christ. Do you know for certain that if you were to die today that you would spend eternity with God? Jesus said in Mark 1:15, “the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” (NASB) Repentance is the sincere conviction of sin and desire to turn in the opposite direction of it; towards God. Believe in this passage is better translated as trust. Trust is active belief – seeing a chair and believing it will hold your weight is belief; sitting in it is active belief or trust that it will actually hold your weight. Believing in Christ without trusting Him alone for your salvation is not adequate. The Gospel or Good News declares that “…Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes [trusts].” (Romans 10:4 NASB)

“We believe [trust] that we are saved through the grace [unmerited or unearned favor] of the Lord Jesus.“ (Acts 15:11 NASB)

“If you confess with your mouth Jesus {as} Lord, and believe [trust] in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved [eternally without possibility of revocation] for with the heart a person believes [trusts], resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses [bold proclamation of the saving grace of Jesus without fear], resulting in salvation. For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES [trusts] IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED." (Romans 10:9-11 NASB)

Once you are a follower of Christ the Holy Spirit will guide you in fulfilling your role in the body of Christ…if you are obedient to His Word and guidance.

 

Summary

1. God has special provision for those who minister (serve others) for Him.
2. True followers of Christ trust in Him alone for their salvation.
3. Following Christ implies obedience which will allow us to fulfill His purpose in us in the community of His people.

 

GO TO DAY 4

 

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