The Levites were not given a ...

The Levites were not given a separate inheritance, rather they were to receive cities and pasturelands from the other tribes. Six of these cities wereto be utilized as cities of refuge, where someone who had killed anotherperson accidentally could flee the avenger until their case was tried.  - P56

Thesimple fact that Levitical duties and cities of refuge for involuntary manslayers were needed shows the utter depravity of humanity. Yet, the graceofGod is evident in that, even under the old covenant, He provided a waysinful humans to coexist with a holy God. And under the new covenant,
- P56

we marvel at a better provision: Jesus Christ has been given to us so that wewould be made holy and be able to dwell with God forever. - P56

Dear Jesus, thank you for the many blessings You have poured upon us.
- P57

Make our hearts generous like Yours so that we can be a family that givesaccording to what we have been given. In Your name, amen. - P57

God commands that six cities of refuge be designated, where those who havekilled unintentionally can flee for protection.  - P59

God differentiates between accidental manslaughter and intentional murder. A murderer must be executedby the avenger of blood, but an innocent person must stay in a city of refugeuntil the high priest dies. - P59

Some regions in Albania still practice a code of "blood feud." This termrefers to a practice in which a clan personally takes vengeance over themurder of their kin. The code gives the victim‘s family the right to kill anyblood relation of the murderer. In their turn, however, the initial murderer‘sfamily can then take another life for the one that was taken from them invengeance. It doesn‘t take long for both sides to simultaneously become vic-tims and murderers. Blood feuds can only come to an end when and if thelast victim of vengeance decides to forgive and stop the cycle of retaliation.
- P61

Blood feuds are the reality of the sinful heart when sinful ideas of justicebecome culturally acceptable. And we would not know how to end suchfeuds if we were not first shown what forgiveness is-the ultimate forgive-ness. As Christians, we remember that we were in something worse than ablood feud, perpetually at enmity with God. Our constant rebellion towardthe holy God rightfully marked us for death.  - P61

But instead of slaying us, Godsent His own Son, who took on flesh so that His body could bleed insteadof ours. God ended the feud at His own cost. - P61

소돔 창( 19장)의 집단 강간 위협과도 밀접한 관련...

소돔 창( 19장)의 집단 강간 위협과도 밀접한 관련이 있는데, 그곳에서도 폭도가 원하는 남성 대신 여성이 제공된다는 점은 유사하다. 사사기의 메시지는 이스라엘의 집이땅을 아브라함 이전의 상태로 되돌려 놓았다는 것이며, 기브아는 도덕적으로 우매한 자들로 가득 찬 또 다른 소돔이다. 그러나 이번에는그들의 의도가 실현되는 것을 막아 줄 구원의 천사가 없다. 또 다른반향은 앞을 가리키고 있다. 여성의 몸이 "난도질되어" 열두 조각으로 "이스라엘 사방에" "두루 보내어졌다"는 생생한 그림 언어는 사울의 이야기를 예견하게 한다. 사사기의 지도자들처럼 사울도 하나님의 영에 이끌려 지파들을 전쟁에 소집하기 위해 가축의 토막 난 사체를 보낸다. (삼상 11:6-7) 두 경우 모두 이스라엘 백성은 메시지를 받고
"한 사람같이 "(20:1/ 삼상 11:7) 응답한다. - P260

그러나 이스라엘은 사사기가 말하는 것처럼 품위를 회복하지못한다. 이 시신 훼손 사건은 공동체의 깊은 성찰로 이어지지 않고폭력의 연쇄 반응을 촉발했으며, 그와 함께 이 책은 휘청거리며 결말로 나아간다. 그리고 남은 연쇄 반응의 대부분은 여성에 대한 성적강압이나 폭력과 관련된다. 베냐민 지파의 성읍 기브아에 대한 이스라엘의 분노는 복수전으로 이어진다. 성서 전통 속 이 대규모 내전으로 양측 모두에게 끔찍한 학살이 일어나 베냐민 지파에서 5만 명이죽고 상대편에서도 4만 명이 죽는다. 더욱이 반베냐민 연합이 야훼의 편에 서서 싸우고 있는 것인지도 전혀 분명하지 않다. 그들은 두번이나 전투에 대한 신탁을 구했고, 두 번 모두 야훼의 지시를 얻어올라가 싸웠음에도 패퇴한다. 20:17-25 세 번째 전투에서 마침내 상황이 그들에게 유리하게 돌아갔지만 의문은 여전히 남는다. 야훼가 고의적으로 쉬운 승리를 보장하는 듯하며 그들을 오도한 것인가?
설명은 없지만 여기에 나오는 증거는 책 전체의 흥미로운 특징과 일치한다.  - P263

사사기에는 기드온부터 시작해 이스라엘 백성이 야훼의 표적이나 특별한 계시를 구하는 사례가 많이 나온다. 그러나 동시・에 이스라엘의 운명과 품성은 꾸준히 악화되고 있다. 여기에는 비극.
적인 아이러니가 작동하고 있다.  - P263

 이 전쟁의 결과는 더 많은 폭력의 쓰라린 열매다. 베냐민 지파는 전쟁과 딸을 시집보내지 않겠다는 다른 지파들의 엄숙한 맹세로인해 전멸할 위험에 처한다. 다른 지파들은 뒤틀린 ‘관대함 21:22을보인다. 그들은 먼저 야베스 길르앗에서 4백 명의 처녀를 빼앗은 후나머지 백성을 모두 죽였고, 실로에서 추가로 2백 명의 젊은 여성을납치하는 것을 승인함으로써 베냐민을 전멸 위기에서 구출한다. 이스라엘의 몸은 "발바닥에서 머리까지 성한 곳이 없[다]. "사1:6 - P264

사사기는 해결책이 없고 끝이 보이지 않는 공포로 끝난다. 그래서인지 정경에는 "사사들이 치리하던 때를 배경으로 하는 두번째 이야기가 포함되어 있다. 룻기는 성서에서 여성이 역사를 형성하는 주요 인물로 등장하는 드문 순간이다. 룻기는 지역 공동체에서시작하기 때문에 아래로부터 위로 펼쳐지는 역사다. 기독교 구약성서의 순서에서 룻과 나오미의 희망찬 이야기는 비극이 고조되는 사사기 바로 뒤에 이어진다. - P264

사사기의 대규모 폭력, 심각한 민족지도력의 문제, 이스라엘 백성 전체의 도덕적 타락이라는 장면이 지난 이후, 룻기는 평범한 소수의 삶에서 개인적 관계 가운데 일어난 구속적 사건에 대해 이야기하며 궁극적으로 이스라엘 전체를 위한 회망의 방향을 제시한다. 성서 안에서 독특하게도 이 짧은 이야기는 우리로 하여금 한동안 작은 농촌 마을 베들레헴의 어느 이스라엘 가족의 세계에 머무르게 해준다. 이 마을은 룻의 증손자가 언젠가 왕으로즉위하게 될 예루살렘에서 겨우 몇 킬로미터 떨어진 곳이다. 전체 이야기의 흐름은 다음과 같은 사도 바울의 말로 요약할 수 있다.환난은 인내를, 인내는 연단(성품)을, 연단은 소망을 이루는 줄 앎이로다.롬 5:3-4이 - P266

 이야기는 두 가지 핵심 관계, 곧 나오미와 룻, 롯과 보아스사이의 관계를 중심으로 펼쳐진다. 두 관계 모두 이 이야기가 ‘헤세드‘hered‘라고 명명한 ‘1:8: 2:20:3:10 특성을 지니는데, ‘헤세드‘는 전통적으로 ‘인자‘, ‘변하지 않는 사랑‘이라고 말하는 언약 관계의 ‘접착제‘와같으며, 공동체 안에, 또는 하나님의 계명을 준수하는 데 있어서 어떤 결속력을 가져다주는 것이다. 랍비 전통에 따르면 룻기는 오직 한가지 목적을 위해 기록된 책인데, ‘헤세드‘를 행하는 자의 보상이 얼마나 큰지 가르치기 위한 것"이다.‘  - P267

이 책은 사사기의 궤적과는 정반대로 절망적인 상황 속에서도 상호 신실함을 특징으로 하는 인간관계가 어떻게 희망의 씨앗을 심는지 보여준다. - P267

특히 토라 속 대부분의 이야기들과 대조적으로, 이 이야기는 죽음에서 건져 내는 열쇠로 하나님의 행동과 성품을 전면에 내세우지않는다. 이 책에서 하나님은 결코 직접 말씀하거나 하늘의 존재를 통해 말씀하지 않으며, 표적과 이적도 나타나지 않는다. 실제로 화자의 목소리가 어떤 신적 행위를 확립된 사실로 보도하는 경우는 단두 번뿐이다. 1:6: 4:13 등장인물들은 우리도 그러하듯 직접적인 계시를통해서가 아니라 좋은 일과 나쁜 일을 근거로 하나님의 행위와 태도를 유추하면서 하나님을 경험한다. 세 남자가 죽은 후, 나오미는 ‘샤 - P268

나오미의 말은 일반적인 이스라엘 사람의 사고방식에서 볼 때파격적이다. 나오미는 이 젊은 모압 여인들을 ‘헤세드‘의 실천자로서존중한다. ‘헤세드‘는 성서에서 일반적으로 이스라엘의 고유한 미덕으로 간주되는 상호 충성심이며, 이방인들에게는 매우 드물게 나타나는 미덕이다.  - P268

토라에서 모압 여인들은 이스라엘의 종교적 충성심을 위협하는 존재로 간주되며, 창조 면 25장 신명기는 모압인이 이스라엘언약 공동체에 들어오는 것을 엄격히 금지하고 있다. 그러나 나오미는 그녀의 모압인 "딸들이 "인자 heed와 진실이 많은 "준 346 것으로명성이 높은 야훼조차도 따라야 할 모델임을 암시한다. 나오미의 말은 이스라엘의 종교적 배타주의를 강력하게 뒤집지만, 그럼에도 나오미와 룻이 베들레헴에 도착하게 되면 다른 민족 출신인 룻은 모든사람의 주목을 받을 것이다. 그 때문에 나오미는 혼자 가기를 원했을지도 모른다. - P269

We remember from previous cha...

We remember from previous chapters that the land was to be divided through the casting of lots, as God commanded. In this case, casting lots did not mean leaving outcomes to chance; it was a way for the people to receive divine direction. - P50

29These are the men the Lord commanded to assign the inheritance to the Israelites in the land of Canaan. - P49

Then why the need for human agency? Why call Joshua, Eleazar, and the chiefs of each tribe? Even today, God still chooses to use His people in bringing about His purposes. - P50

This isn’t because He is deficient in any way. Rather, this is one of the ways He has chosen to shine His myriad glory. - P50

The wisdom of God shines through when the people of God submit to God-given authority—when the people of God love and submit to one another. - P50

Father, You demonstrated Your faithfulness by sending Your own Son to be the answer to our greatest difficulties, sin and death. - P50

Strengthen my trust in Your character even through the difficulties I face. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P50

By the listing of these leaders, we can see that Israel was not a small nation.
Twelve tribes, consisting of potentially hundreds of thousands of peopleeach, traveled together for many years through the wilderness.  - P50

We needonly to go on a road trip with our family to be reminded that traveling incommunity is not easy. Yet, because Israel was God‘s chosen nation, Hedelivered this multitude to the land He had promised. He chose to makeHis glory depend on the fulfillment of this promise.  - P50

Christian, you, too,
are part the people of God. He is able to bring you into the land that Hehas promised.  - P50

No matter what difficulties we face along the way, He willbring each of us home. - P50

The author details God‘s command for the Levites to receive forty-eight towns,
including six cities of refuge, from the other tribes‘ land. These cities providehomes and pasturelands for the Levites.  - P55

The tribes must allocate the townsproportionally, with larger tribes giving more and smaller tribes giving less. - P55

El Salvador is rich in culture and diversity, but after a long civil war that ended a few decades ago,
trauma, gang violence, and poverty still run rampant throughout Central America‘s smallestnation.  - P56

Over the past decade, however, over nine thousand churches have been planted. Despitethis exponential growth, the church desperately needs financial resources, strong leadership, andbiblical training to continue to thrive.
- P56

Prayer Points•Pray for healthy leadership, financial provision, and biblical resources to be accessible to thelocal churches.
- Praise God for the thousands of churches that have been ministering to the people for the pastdecade. - P56

John 13:17 NLT [17] Now that...

John 13:17 NLT
[17] Now that you know these things, God will bless you for doing them.
- P186

Romans 12:1-2 NLT
[1] And so, dear brothers and sisters, I plead with you to give your bodies to God because of all he has done for you. Let them be a living and holy sacrifice—the kind he will find acceptable. This is truly the way to worship him. [2] Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.
- P186

그렇다면 닻을 올리고 깊은 바다로 나아가기 위해 우리에게 필요한 것은 무엇일까요? 챔버스는 ‘순종해야 하는 순간‘에 순종을 거부하는 것은 영적으로 위험한일이라고 말합니다. 그곳은 바로 당신이 무엇을 해야 한다는 것을 알면서도 당장 필요한 것 같지 않아 순종하지 않은 지점일 것입니다." 순종해야 할 때에 순종하지 못하면 영적 막힘을 경험합니다. 그렇게 되면 영적 지각과 분별도 상실하게되고, 더 이상의 순종이 불가능한 상태에 이릅니다. 불순종으로 막힌 영적인 상태를 뚫는 유일한 길은 ‘순종‘입니다.
- P186

"순종의 모조품은 열심입니다. 자기 멋대로 자신을 희생시키는 마음 상태입니다.
이러한 열심이 종종 영적 분별을 대신하곤 합니다." 중요한 것은 ‘희생‘이 아닌
‘순종‘ 입니다. 우리는 종종 희생을 순종으로 착각합니다. 사도 바울은 예배드리는 자들에게서 동일한 위험을 보았습니다. 제물을 드리기는 하지만 하나님께서기뻐하시지 않는 제물도 있다는 것입니다.  - P186

그러므로 우리의 영적 행위가 하나님을 기쁘시게 하는지, 그렇지 않은지 분별하는 지혜를 가져야 합니다(롬 12:1-2).
한줄노트 우리의 제사를 하나님이 받지 않으신다면, ‘순종‘이 아닌 우리의 ‘열심‘을 드리고 있는 것입니다.
- P186

묵상 질문 우리가 하는 일 중 무엇이 ‘자기 열심‘이고, 무엇이 ‘순종‘인지 구별할 수 있습니까? - P186

과연 우리의 영적인 삶이 부실하지는 않은가? 주님의 속죄를 우리 삶의 중심에 두고 있는가? 그리스도께서 우리 삶의 모든 분야를다스리고 있는가? 그렇다면 우리는 삶의 모든 영역에서 주님을 위한 열매를 맺고 있는가? 이 모든 것을 위한 첫 번째 명령입니다. "내 삶의 구심력이 되시는 그분을 깨닫기 위해 많은 시간을 들여야 합니다."  - P185

예수 그리스도가 우리의 구심력‘
이 될 때, 우리의 자유를 억압하는 것이 아니라 도리어 자유롭게 한다는 ‘역설적진리‘를 깨닫습니다. "너희가 내 안에 거하고"(요 15:7). 우리 마음의 중심에 주님께서 계실 때, 우리는 그분으로 인하여 계속 생각하고 계속 봉사하게 됩니다. 그때 "무엇이든지 원하는 대로 구하라 그리하면 이루리라"(요 15:7)라는 말씀이 이루어집니다.
- P185

한줄노트 마음대로 하라는 사탄의 유혹에 속지 마십시오! 참된 구속만이 진정한 자유를 가져다 줄니다 - P185

우리는 자신을 제한하여 우리의 애착이 언제나 이 위대한능력인 그리스도의 속죄에 있게 해야 합니다." 우리를 구속하신 그리스도의 은혜가 우리를 붙잡아야 합니다. 구속의 은혜가 우리에게 강력한 영향을 미칠 때, 우리가 하는 어떤 행동과 봉사와 섬김도 잘못되지 않습니다. "너희가 내 이름으로무엇을 구하든지 내가 행하리니"(요 14:13). 이 말씀이 이제야 제대로 이해됩니다.
- P185

주님 안에 거하는 제자는 곧 하나님의 뜻대로 행하는 사람이 됩니다. 삶의 구심점이 무엇이냐에 따라 그의 삶이 결정되니 말입니다. 우리가 주님 안에 거할 때는 자유롭게 선택하고 있는 것 같지만 하나님의 예정하신 뜻을 벗어나지 않습니다. 다소 모순적으로 들리지만, 이것은 ‘모순‘이 아니라 ‘신비‘입니다.  - P185

우리의 구심점이 올바르며, 그 구심점을 바로 세우기 위해 우리의 시간을 투자한다면 우리가 무엇을 하든 하나님의 뜻에서 벗어나지 않는다는 신비입니다.
한줄노트 우리가 분명하게 속죄함을 받는다면 우리의 삶에 속죄의 열매가 반드시 열릴 것입니다.
- P185

묵상 질문 그리스도를 삶의 구심점으로 두었다면, 우리는 그분을 위해 어떻게 시간을 사용하고 있습니까? - P185

1The Lord said to Moses, 2˝C...

1The Lord said to Moses,

2"Command the Israelites and say to them: ‘When you enter Canaan, the land that will be allotted to you as an inheritance is to have these boundaries:

3"‘Your southern side will include some of the Desert of Zin along the border of Edom. Your southern boundary will start in the east from the southern end of the Dead Sea,

4cross south of Scorpion Pass, continue on to Zin and go south of Kadesh Barnea. Then it will go to Hazar Addar and over to Azmon,

5where it will turn, join the Wadi of Egypt and end at the Mediterranean Sea.

- P44

13Moses commanded the Israelites: "Assign this land by lot as an inheritance. The Lord has ordered that it be given to the nine and a half tribes,

14because the families of the tribe of Reuben, the tribe of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh have received their inheritance.

15These two and a half tribes have received their inheritance east of the Jordan across from Jericho, toward the sunrise." - P45

The author details the boundaries of the promised land that God assigns toIsrael. The southern, western, northern, and eastern borders are defined. Godinstructs Moses to distribute the land among the nine and a half tribes, as Reu-ben, Gad, and half of Manasseh have already received land east of the Jordan. - P45

Moses receives instructions about the specific boundary lines of the promised land so that the Israelites will know exactly what God has intended for them as their inheritance. - P46

The boundaries include access to bodies of water, which enables travel and fishing. It is the perfect place, already prepared in advance to supply all their needs. - P46

We may not know every detail of our own futures, but we can trust that God does. He knows exactly what we need, and He can show us detailed plans at the proper time. - P46

Our primary focus must be to stay close to Him so that, with the help of the Holy Spirit, we can follow His guidance in the direction that we should go. - P46

Nine and a half tribes receive this land as their inheritance because the othertwo and a half tribes have already received theirs. Some of the Israelites hadrequested the land east of the Jordan across from Jericho after seeing that Ait was suitable for their livestock.  - P46

God in His graciousness allowed them tohave this land. When we approach God with our requests, we should notmake demands or ask with a sense of entitlement. We can humbly makeour requests before Him, trusting in His wisdom and grace.  - P46

When we donot get exactly what we want, we can hold on to our requests lightly, un-afraid to give them up because we know that God, as our good and perfectFather, desires the best for us. - P46

Heavenly Father, thank you that You desire the best for Your children. - P47

Help me not to hold on too tightly to my own desires but to remain humble in my requests to You. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P47

God converses with us primarily through His words in Scripture.
We can also use His words to respond to Him.
Use the following guide to pray through this week‘s memory verse.
"But if you fail to do this, you will be sinning against the LORD; and you may be surethat your sin will find you out." - Numbers 32:23 - P51