ADPT

ADPT-II Syllabus ADPT-12

Lesson 12
Our Refuge

SCRIPTURE READINGS:

DAY 1 Numbers 35:6-34

DAY 2 Joshua 20:1-9

DAY 3 Deuteronomy 19:1-21

DAY 4 Psalms 46

DAY 5 Psalms 91

DAY 6 Romans 5

DAY 7 Hebrews 7

WORD STUDY: REFUGE

1. Define the Word refuge using a dictionary.
2. Give the Hebrew word(s) and meaning for refuge.

In the Old Testament we are introduced to the Cities of Refuge. Let's study these cities to help build a foundation of understanding which we will draw upon further in our lesson.

3. How many Cities of Refuge are they to have? (Numbers 35:6)

4. Name these cities and try to locate them on a Bible map. (Joshua 20:7-8)

5. Who were these cities of refuge created for? (Numbers 35)

6. Who was allowed to use these cities of refuge? (Numbers 35:15)

7. How long would they remain within the city? (Numbers 35:25)

8. Read the accounts of the Cities of Refuge from Numbers 25 and Joshua 20-21

MY STORY:
As a child, I was terrified of the dark! My sister thought it was funny to hide in secret places and jump out at me to frighten me. As often as she did this, I was never prepared!! I would scream and take off to find my dad. When the storms would come and lightning crashed, I would run and jump between the covers with my mom and dad. I always felt safe if my dad was nearby.
As a teenager, I often sought refuge and safety in the leadership and protection of my dad. I remember one evening in particular when a male classmate decided to follow me all over town. He would pull up next to me at the traffic lights and try to get my attention and follow very close to my bumper down the road. I decided the safest place for me to be was HOME! When I pulled in the driveway, my dad was working outside. I quickly told him that this classmate was scaring me. Wow! My dad set that classmate straight real quick!! He wasn't ugly or mean, just firm and very matter of fact. He never bothered me again, and actually apologized later. My earthly father was my refuge during all those growing up years!
Just as our earthly fathers provided a haven of safety for us during those formative years, our Heavenly Father provides that refuge for us during our pilgrimage on this earth with all its pains and sorrows.

GOD'S STORY:
9. The ______________God is your ______________, and
_______________ are the _______________ _______________: He will thrust out the enemy from before you, and will say, "Destroy!" Deuteronomy 33:27

10. Read II Samuel 22.
a. When did David speak this?
b. In verse 1 we are told God had delivered David from all his enemies and from the hand of Saul. Do a little Bible research and make a list of David's enemies of which he had been delivered.
c. Notice verses 21-25. Describe David's relationship with the Lord. (Could we write these same things about ourselves?!)
d. Reread this passage. What a beautiful picture of God's love and protection over each of us!

As we have seen in this reading, David had a very endearing relationship with his LORD. Let's spend some time in the Psalms reading what David had to share regarding God being our refuge.

11. The Lord also will be a _______________ for the oppressed, a _______________ in times of _______________. Psalm 9:9

12. For in the time of _______________ He shall _______________me in His _______________; In the secret place of His tabernacle He shall _______________ me; He shall set me high upon a _______________. Psalm 27:5

13. God is our _______________ and _______________, a very present _______________ in _______________. Psalm 46:1 (notice this is Psalm of the sons of Korah and not David)

14. Be merciful to me, O God, be merciful to me! For my soul _______________ in You; And in the _______________ of Your _______________ I will make my _______________, until these calamities have passed by. Psalm 57:1

15. (5)My soul, wait silently for God alone, For my expectation is from Him. (6)He only is my _______________ and my ______________; He is my _______________; I shall not be moved, (7) In God is my _______________ and my glory; The rock of my _______________ and my _______________, is in God. Psalm 62:5-7

16. I will say of the Lord, "He is my _______________ and my _______________ ; my _______________ in Him I will _______________." Psalm 91:2

17. He shall _______________ you with His feathers, And under His _______________ you shall take _______________; His truth shall be your _______________ and _______________. Psalm 91:4

A little side note: Notice that His truth is your shield and buckler. A shield would have been used by a soldier to defend off any danger before him. A buckler was a device that would surround the soldier such as mail or armor. It gave him protection in all directions.

18. Because you have made the Lord, who is my _______________, even the Most High, your _______________ _______________. Psalms 91:9

Let's return to those six cities of refuge and make application to us as Christians today. First, we must be aware that Satan is out seeking whom he can devour (I Peter 5:8). Each day he is throwing temptations towards us and hoping to overtake us in our sins and iniquities. As sinners we have a refuge! We can flee to the Lord Jesus Christ and lay hold of the hope set before us. (Hebrews 6:17-20)
Remember God's instructions to the people of Israel? They were to prepare the roads and place the cities in such a manner that they were easily assessable to all men. God has done the same with His salvation. It would be impossible to live such a life as to be perfect and enter into the gates of heaven. In God's wonderful plan, He required a blood sacrifice. Christ became that sacrifice for us that we may obtain salvation. (Romans 5:9; Ephesians 2:12-13; Hebrews 9:12-14; I Peter 1:18-19) The road has been made clear through His word the Bible. By following the commands within, we may find eternal refuge!
When the manslayer was accepted into the gates of the city, he was given the promise of protection. He would not be turned over to the "avenger of blood" as long as he remained within the city walls. In the same manner, those who dwell with Christ will not receive condemnation. (John 6:37; Romans 5:9) However, if the manslayer chose to leave the protection of the city, he was no longer protected. We also can choose to leave the safety and security of God's refuge. When we turn our back on the Lord, we are once again vulnerable to Satan's trap. (II Peter 2:20-22)
A Levitical town was placed within each City of Refuge. The "manslayer" would need the assistance of the Levites to administer justice. He was allowed to stay within the city until the death of the High Priest. At this time, he would be required to leave the protection of the city and return to his family and his land. Our great news is that we will never have to leave the protection of our refuge because our High Priest will never die!! (Hebrews 7)
Let's close by looking at David's attitude towards this wonderful blessing of refuge! We should all strive to develop this same deep gratitude for God's love as well.

19. _______________ in Him at _______________ times, you people; _______________out your _______________ before Him; God is a ________________ for us. Psalm 62:8

20. I have become as a wonder to many, But You are my _______________ _______________. Let my _______________ be filled with Your _______________ And with Your _______________ all the day. Psalm 71:7-8

21. _______________ be the Lord my _______________, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle- My _______________ and my _______________, My _______________ _______________ and my _______________, My _______________ and the One in whom I take _______________, Who subdues my people under me. Psalm 144:1-2

LESSON IN ACTION:
I would like to encourage you to do two things this week. First, spend time in prayer thanking God for being your refuge and help in times of trouble. Praise His holy name.
Second, choose a verse or passage of scripture discussed this week and commit it to memory. It will be a source of immediate strength and encouragement to you when those troublesome times appear.