This passage details the port...

This passage details the portions of the promised land that fell by lot to the people of Judah. Judah was a very large tribe, second only to the two tribes of Joseph combined. Accordingly, they are allotted a large number of towns and villages. God has multiplied them, so He gives them land in proportion with their numbers. - P60

We are often tempted to skim through long lists of cities in Scripture, but for the Israelites reading this, it was a list of God’s blessings and a testament to His fairness and generosity. - P60

Let us not be too quick to dismiss what we consider mundane. Let us take time to notice God’s blessings even in the less remarkable parts of life. - P60

The Israelites have begun taking possession of the promised land but muchland still remains to be conquered. The iconic city of Jerusalem remainsoccupied by the Jebusites. In fact, it will not be conquered until the time ofDavid. Until then, the people of Judah live in contention with the Jebusites.
- P60

When God gave us new life in Christ, He did not immediately do awaywith all our struggles with sin. Our victory has been guaranteed by Christ,
but we must still fight our sins, and some fights will be harder than others.
- P60

The good news is that God is on our side. He is with us in the fight and,
because victory is guaranteed, we can make every effort to resist the enemy. - P60

But all Scripture is God-breathed, even thenumbers and the long lists of names we struggle to pronounce. And theirinclusion reveals the fullness of God‘s character.
While these records may not mean much to us personally, they once meanteverything to someone. We all have names and lists that carry deep meaningto us, even if they mean nothing to others.  - P61

Even if we don‘t know to whom the Bible‘slists were meaningful, or why, Scripture reminds us that God knows andHe is attentive to the things we care about. - P61

Dear Father, You are present in all of my life including the most unremarkable days. You guaranteed my victory over every sin and call me to fight daily. - P61

Help me persevere to resist sin, even when temptation pulls the hardest. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P61

[오늘의 한문장] 히브리 성서를 열다

사사기는 속임수, 거짓 경건, 죽음, 폭력으로 끝난다. 가장 노골적인 내용은 납치, 강간, 죽음, 심지어 여성의 몸을 토막 내고19-21그로 인해 이스라엘 민족이 토막 나는 이야기다. 이와는 매우 대조적으로 룻기는 여성들의 창조적 행위가 중심이 되고 있으며, 죽음이 아넌 탄생으로 끝난다. 그리고 그 아기는 몇몇 여성들 사이에서 자라고양육된다.
나오미가 아기를 받아 품에 품고 그의 양육자가 되니 그의 이웃 여인들이 그에게 이름을 지어주되 나오미에게 아들이 태어났다 하여 그의이름을 오벳이라 하였는데 그는 다윗의 아버지인 이새의 아버지였더라4:16-17
오벳은 ‘섬기는 자‘라는 뜻이다. 겸손한 사람들이 등장하는 이책에 어울리는 겸손한 이름이며, 이타적인 충성심을 암시하는 희망의 이름이다. 사사시대의 엄청난 실패와 신실함이 점차 쇠퇴하는 상황을 배경으로 한 이 짧은 이야기는, 칼 바르트가 "은혜의 단순성과포괄성"이라고 부르는 그것을 그리고 있다.  - P277

13In accordance with the Lord...

13In accordance with the Lord’s command to him, Joshua gave to Caleb son of Jephunneh a portion in Judah—Kiriath Arba, that is, Hebron. (Arba was the forefather of Anak.) - P52

17Othniel son of Kenaz, Caleb’s brother, took it; so Caleb gave his daughter Aksah to him in marriage.

18One day when she came to Othniel, she urged him to ask her father for a field. When she got off her donkey, Caleb asked her, "What can I do for you?"

19She replied, "Do me a special favor. Since you have given me land in the Negev, give me also springs of water." So Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs.

- P53

God promised land to Caleb as a reward for trusting in His promise when others dismissed it. However, Caleb, now eighty-five years old, still has to fight for the land promised to him. He defeats the Anakites—the very people whom Caleb’s fellow spies said would be too strong to defeat forty-five years ago (see Num. 13:28). With the help of his nephew, Caleb also conquers the town of Kiriath Sepher. - P54

When God makes a promise to us, we may have to wait a long time to see it fulfilled. We may also have to face seemingly impossible limitations. - P54

Rather than give in to doubt, let us trust that God will give us the patience, strength, and help we need to receive what He has promised. - P54

When God promises us His blessings, He invites us toHisactively receive what we need while we wait.
thatgrace.
This is a gracecan even transform the "defeats" of life into opportunities for His goodpurposes. - P55

Dear God, thank you for Your promises and provision that give me the courage to face my adversities. Do not let me grow complacent with the gifts You gave me but show me how to use Your gifts and breakthroughs to grow and help others grow in faith. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P55

룻기는 사사기라는 격변의 폭풍이 지나간 후의 작고도...

 룻기는 사사기라는 격변의 폭풍이 지나간 후의 작고도 고요한 목소리다. 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 희망의 방향을 제시한다. 성서 안에서 독특하게도 이 짧은 이야기는 우 - P266

랍비 전통에 따르면 룻기는 오직 한가지 목적을 위해 기록된 책인데, "헤세드‘를 행하는 자의 보상이 얼마나 큰지 가르치기 위한 것"이다.‘ 이 책은 사사기의 궤적과는 정반대로 절망적인 상황 속에서도 상호 신실함을 특징으로 하는 인간관계가 어떻게 희망의 씨앗을 심는지 보여준다. - P267

히브리어 말장난은 보아스의 행동의 중요성을 가리킨다. 보아스는 원주민과 이민자 사이의 중요한 사회적 경계를 넘었다. 그는권력자의 위치에서 문화적으로 눈에 띄지 않는 사람의 지위를 강화하는 데 앞장섰으며, 그렇게 한 이유는 그녀의 성품에 대해 들었기때문이다. - P272

1The allotment for the tribe ...

1The allotment for the tribe of Judah, according to its clans, extended down to the territory of Edom, to the Desert of Zin in the extreme south. - P48

The tribe of Judah receives a large, strategically situated portion of landfor their inheritance. The boundaries of the area include the Dead Sea,
the Mediterranean Sea, and the Jordan River, and the cities include whatwill become the city of Jerusalem. By allotting this important piece of landto Judah, God is fulfilling His promises and preparing the way for theMessiah to come. This can inspire us today as we are reminded that Godworks sovereignly in history to fulfill His purposes.  - P50

Though His timelineand plans may be beyond our understanding, we can have confidence that,
ultimately, He will achieve all that He has promised. This should give ushope and encouragement to continue partnering with Him in faith in Hiswork, using our gifts and talents for His glory. - P50

Dear Jesus, thank you that in You, we are protected. Help us to treasure thegood things You give us so that we may continue to enjoy fellowship withYou, the Father, and the Holy Spirit. In Your name, amen. - P51