Deuteronomy 19 · Grade 4
Justice with Mercy
Read and Think
Deuteronomy 19 sets apart three cities of refuge west of the Jordan. Three more were east of the Jordan, from chapter 4. Roads were made so anyone could reach them fast. These cities kept safe someone who killed a neighbor by accident, like when an ax head flew off and hit a friend.
The cities did not shelter murderers. If someone killed out of hatred, the elders of his city must bring him back for justice. God's law distinguished between accident and intent.
Israel must not move old boundary stones. That would steal a neighbor's land. Two or three witnesses were needed. A false witness got the penalty he planned for another. Eye for eye set a limit for judges, so the punishment would fit the crime.
Show What You Know
How many cities of refuge were west of the Jordan?
What did God's law distinguish between?
Why was moving a boundary stone wrong?
What did eye for eye do?
Word Bank Fill-In
Use the word bank to fill in each blank.
- Deuteronomy 19 sets apart three of refuge west of the Jordan.
- These cities kept safe someone who killed a neighbor by accident, like when an ax flew off and hit a friend.
- A false got the penalty he planned for another.
Think About It
How do the cities of refuge show God's care for both mercy and justice?
Why is telling the truth about others so important?
Memory Verse
“One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin that he sins. At the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall a matter be established.”
Deuteronomy 19:15 (WEB)
Copy It
Prayer
Dear God, thank You for being my safe place. Help me . Amen.
Take It Home
For families: talk about these together.
- How can you give someone a fair hearing before you judge them?
- How can God be a safe place for you when you feel guilty or afraid?
Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.