The "A" Group

As the men sat around the table last evening there was a difference. The feeling was notable and much stronger as we discussed the topic at hand. The topic was Moses, his life and what he had accomplished in his life time.

When I use the words “notable and much stronger” it is appropriate in that the group is building strength as they sit together. Each man is also changing in similar ways as he personally changes from day to day.

This group is the new Bible Study Support Group for men coming from prison. These men live in our community now. They have fulfilled their time in prison but now are struggling to make a go of it in the community. Each has a different struggle and each face new problems with life. Each day is a victory. In the group setting each week we are able to discuss openly how they are doing. For each of them it is good to hear that others have problems as well. We are testing new ground each time we meet.

First the Topic of Moses
You may not have thought of the following facts… we discussed these last night.

• Moses was and is one of the most highly respected leaders in the Jewish world.
• Moses had been trained in the “best schools” of Egypt as a Prince with privilege.
• Moses lead the people of God out of slavery and the land that was so cruel to them.
• Moses was close to God and was able to speak to God as a man speaks to his friend – when others could not and did not talk with God.
• Moses was a murderer – that fled the scene after killing the Egyptian.
• Moses spent 40 years in “prison” that was a desert. His drop from societal standing was greater than many would know – from Prince to Shepherd.
• Moses began doing things that he had never tried before working as a Shepherd.
• After 40 years he received his parole and was brought back to the community. This step was the beginning of “restoration” and “reintegration” for him and his community. He has been away for so long that most of the community did not know him… yet he knows who he is and what he has done in the past. The danger was there for him as he returned home. He was still a murderer.
• God lead Moses and had a plan for his life.
• With God’s help Moses would become who he would be and eventually lead the people out.
• It all happened after a life time of training – at 80 years of age.

Finally…
We looked at the laws that God would introduce to his people through Moses. One in particular was the order and system that dealt with people that had committed crimes. Another described the cities of refuge – where men that had killed someone could flee and remain there in safety. If he was to leave the city the victim’s family could kill him. It was a safety net of sorts for all. It was justice.

As we discussed the facts at this point the victim’s issues came out. The harm that they felt and the feeling of never forgetting were always there.

Further we discussed the situation from an “offender’s” point of view of always being in a safe place and in need of an accepting place – the city of refuge.

Uniquely it was all introduced to God’s people by a former murderer and now paroled ex-offender.

Discussing this in the setting we were in last evening was powerful.

The prayer that we concluded the evening with was more meaningful last night than the nights before.

We need your prayer as well…. Would you pray that God will bless and guide what is being done in this new group?

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An "A" Group Member...
Pastor Murray

• Exodus21:12 "Anyone who strikes a man and kills him shall surely be put to death. 13 However, if he does not do it intentionally, but God lets it happen, he is to flee to a place I will designate. 14 But if a man schemes and kills another man deliberately, take him away from my altar and put him to death.
• Numbers 35:25The assembly must protect the one accused of murder from the avenger of blood and send him back to the city of refuge to which he fled. He must stay there until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the holy oil.Numbers 35:24-26 (in Context) Numbers 35 (Whole Chapter)
• Numbers 35:26" 'But if the accused ever goes outside the limits of the city of refuge to which he has fledNumbers 35:25-27 (in Context) Numbers 35 (Whole Chapter)
• Numbers 35:28The accused must stay in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest; only after the death of the high priest may he return to his own property.Numbers 35:27-29 (in Context) Numbers 35 (Whole Chapter)
• Numbers 35:32" 'Do not accept a ransom for anyone who has fled to a city of refuge and so allow him to go back and live on his own land before the death of the high priest.Numbers 35:31-33 (in Context) Numbers 35 (Whole Chapter)
• Joshua 21:13So to the descendants of Aaron the priest they gave Hebron (a city of refuge for one accused of murder), Libnah,Joshua 21:12-14 (in Context) Joshua 21 (Whole Chapter)
• Joshua 21:21In the hill country of Ephraim they were given Shechem (a city of refuge for one accused of murder) and Gezer,Joshua 21:20-22 (in Context) Joshua 21 (Whole Chapter)
• Joshua 21:27The Levite clans of the Gershonites were given: from the half-tribe of Manasseh, Golan in Bashan (a city of refuge for one accused of murder) and Be Eshtarah, together with their pasturelands—two towns;Joshua 21:26-28 (in Context) Joshua 21 (Whole Chapter)
• Joshua 21:32from the tribe of Naphtali, Kedesh in Galilee (a city of refuge for one accused of murder), Hammoth Dor and Kartan, together with their pasturelands—three towns.Joshua 21:31-33 (in Context) Joshua 21 (Whole Chapter)
• Joshua 21:38from the tribe of Gad, Ramoth in Gilead (a city of refuge for one accused of murder), Mahanaim,Joshua 21:37-39 (in Context) Joshua 21 (Whole Chapter)
• 1 Chronicles 6:57So the descendants of Aaron were given Hebron (a city of refuge), and Libnah, Jattir, Eshtemoa,1 Chronicles 6:56-58 (in Context) 1 Chronicles 6 (Whole Chapter)