Chapter Summary

The cities of refuge.

Discussion Questions for Numbers, Chapter 35

1. Why do you think there were such specific instructions for the clans that were building cities? How do these instructions reveal what the people were capable of when obeying The Lord?
2. How do the six cities of refuge speak to the abundance of God’s provision? What does it reveal about His heart for the innocent?
3. How did these cities of refuge extend outside of just the people of Israel?What does it reveal about God’s heart for all people?
4. Numbers 35:16-17, “But if he struck him down with an iron object, so that he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall be put to death. And if he struck him down with a stone tool that could cause death, and he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall be put to death.” (ESV) What different distinctions do you see in this verse? Why are both considered murder? How does this speak to the heart of one’s actions?
5. Numbers 35:25, “And the congregation shall rescue the manslayer from the hand of the avenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to his city of refuge to which he had fled, and he shall live in it until the death of the high priest who was anointed with the holy oil.” (ESV) What about the high priest passing made it permissible for the manslayer to return? How would this transition impact the community?
6. Numbers 35:33, “You shall not pollute the land in which you live, for blood pollutes the land, and no atonement can be made for the land for the blood that is shed in it, except by the blood of the one who shed it.” (ESV) What did it mean for one to pollute the land? How would you apply this concept to modern times?
7. Numbers 35:34, “You shall not defile the land in which you live, in the midst of which I dwell, for I the LORD dwell in the midst of the people of Israel.” (ESV) What would be the opposite of defiling the land? Since the cross, The LORD both dwells in the midst of and within His people? How does The Holy Spirit equip His people to resist defilement today?
8. Sometimes we are tempted to make excuses when we feel we are not capable or even are not disciplined in accomplishing a task. How can The Lord’s intentional design in this chapter help break down those excuses? How can we rewrite our excuses for confidence and strength in The Lord?
9. How does this chapter promote collaborating leadership? How can it influence our approach to shared responsibility?
10. Consider God’s called to love your neighbor (Mark 12:31), or to learn to do good and seek justice (Isaiah 1:17). How does this chapter serve as a guide to carry out these verses in modern times? What are some ministries that you have witnessed today that reflect the heart of Numbers 35.

Key Words/Phrase

Refuge, v. 6.

Characters

God, Moses.

Strong Verse(s)

12, 30.