하지만 성경은 절대 그런 견지에서 생각하지 않는다. ...

하지만 성경은 절대 그런 견지에서 생각하지 않는다. 그 이유 중 하나는주권적 민족 국가라는 개념이 비교적 현대에 생겨난 것이기 때문이다. 그러나 이 특정한 문제를 제쳐 놓는다 해도, 가나안 사람들이 거기 이미 살고 있었다는 단순한 사실은 여전히 존재한다. 하지만 성경이 그런 견지에서 생각하지 않는 보다 중요한 이유가 있다. 그것은 단지 온 세상과 그 세상에 사는모든 사람들이 야웨에게 속해 있기 때문이다.‘ 성경, 그리고 구약의 견해로는 어떤 특정한 땅을 양도할 수 없는 권리를 갖고 있는 사람은 단 한 사람도없다. 도리어 그들은 야웨께 책임을 진 임차인으로서 그 땅을 차지하고 있다. 이 때문에, 희년법에 따르면 이스라엘 안에서 개인들은 땅을 영구히 팔수 없었다." 비록 그것은 이스라엘이 야웨와 맺은 언약 관계 안에 표현되어있지만 - P18

 야훼는 가나안 민족이 심판을 받아야 할 적절한 순간이 되어야 그 땅을 가나안 족속에게서 취해서 이스라엘에게 주실것이다. 이러한 틀은 소돔의 멸망을 놓고 아브라함이 드린 간구에서 확증되었다." 거기에서 야웨는 멸망시키는 것이 정당할 때에만 실제로 그렇게 행동하시는 것을 보여 주신다. 야웨가 다른 모든 민족보다 이스라엘을 특별히 더총애하신다기보다는 야훼의 목적을 확립하는 통로가 되는 나라로 이스라엘을 세우다 보니 땅이 필요했고, 야웨가 주신 땅은 그곳 거민들이 야웨의 심판을 받아야 하는 곳이었다는 것이다. 그렇기 때문에 야웨는 그 땅을 이스라엘에게 주실 수 있었다. 하지만 구약은 이스라엘이 하나님께 반역하는 삶ㅇ을 살면 그들도 똑같이 그 땅을 빼앗길 수 있었다는 것을 분명히 밝힌다. - P18

아간은 이스라엘 사람이 배제될 수 있다는 것을 보여 주는 반면, 라합은 가나안 사람도 포함될 수 있다는 것을 보여 준다. 배제되는 사람들은 여호와의 목적에 적극적으로 반대하기로 한 사람들이다. 이스라엘은유전적 유산을 물려받은 백성이 아니라, 선교하는 역할을 맡고 있는 백성이다. 이것은 속임수로 합류한 가나안 족속인" 기브온 사람들의 이야기로 인해 복잡해진다. 하지만 기본 궤도는 바뀌지 않았다. 심판의 기준이 이스라엘을 위한 하나님의 목적들을 실제로 적극적으로 반대하는 경우라는 점을 확증해 준 것일 뿐이다. - P20

이스라엘은 야웨의 백성이 된다는 것이 무엇인지 삶으로 보여 주는 백성이될 필요가 있었다. 그리고 여호수아서 끝에서 드러나는 사실은, 이 선택을한 사람은 누구나 야훼의 약속들이 주는 축복 안에서 계속 살 수 있었다는것이다. 그 축복에는 그 땅에 계속 남아 있는 것도 포함되었다. - P23

물론 하나님의 목적에는 언제나 어느 정도 신비한 면이 있다. 하지만 여호수아서가 주의 깊게 하나의 유형을 제시하는 게 분명해 보인다. 그 유형에서사람들은 언제라도 하나님의 심판을 받는 위치였다가 그분 백성의 일부가되고, 그럼으로써 하나님의 약속들 안에서 살도록 옮겨갈 가능성이 있었다. - P25

내리는 중에도 야훼는 많은 사람들에게 그분의 복을 내려 주시기 때문이다.
여호수아서는 이처럼 오늘날 우리가 하나님의 신실하심을 깨닫도록 격려하는 책이다. 우리는 예수님을 통해 그 신실함을 경험한다. 그리고 이것은 하나님의 신실하심에 대한 우리의 경험이 특정한 장소에 매여 있지 않다는 것을 의미한다. 하지만 여호수아서는 자신의 약속에 대한 하나님의 신실하심이 성경 이야기 안에서 중심 요소임을 상기시킴으로써, 오늘날 우리에게도 계속 적실성을 지닌다는 것을 보여 준다. 그것은 하나님의 선교 안에서 기본적인 요소다. 동시에, 여호수아서는 하나님의 목적들이 우리가 상상하는 것보다 훨씬 더 많은 사람들을 포함한다는 사실을 깨닫도록 도전한다.  - P29

라합이 어떻게 하나님의 백성에 포함되었는지 보여 주면서 이야기가 시작되는 것은 처음부터 이 점을 분명하게 한다. 특히 그 이야기가 라합을 어떤 이스라엘 사람보다도 훨씬 더 긍정적인 견지에서 보여 준다는 점을 주목할 때 더욱 그렇다. 하나님은 우리가 예상하지 않을 만한 사람을 사용할 준비가 되어 있으시며, 중요한 것은 그들이 하나님의 목적을 이루는 일에 하나님과 협력하고자 하는 의지가 있는가 하는 것이다. 중요한 것은 그들의 배경이 아니라 그들이 하는 행동이다." 그래서 여호수아서는 사람들이 우리가더 편안하게 느끼는 방식을 따르는가 하는 것보다는 하나님에 대한 반응으로 그들이 무엇을 하는가를 보라고 우리에게 계속 도전한다. - P29

10But the angel said to them,...

10But the angel said to them, "Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people.

11Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord.

12This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger."

13Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, praising God and saying,

14"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests."
- P124

19But Mary treasured up all these things and pondered them in her heart.

20The shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen, which were just as they had been told.
- P125

An angel of the Lord announces the news of the Messiah’s birth to shepherds in nearby fields. A great host of angels then appears and praises God before them. As modern-day believers, we tend to romanticize shepherding, but in Jesus’ time, shepherds were thought to be at the bottom of the social ladder. The fact that these men receive the angelic announcement is great news for all of us. - P126

Jesus was born in the most humble circumstances as a sign to us: only those who realize their need for the Messiah qualify for His gracious invitation of salvation. And then, as a natural result, we join with the heavenly host, praising the God whose favor rests on the lowly and the undeserving. - P126

When the shepherds go and see Jesus, a newborn in a manger in Bethle-hem, their response is most natural. They cannot help but immediatelygo and tell anyone they find that the Savior has been born. But Mary, theevents differently by privately ponderingthe goodness of God.  - P126

As we reflect on what Christ has done for us thisChristmas season, we are invited to do both. We are toare to delight and declare,
process and proclaim, glorifying and praising God by having fellowshipwith believers and by witnessing to those who do not know Jesus. - P126

Dear heavenly Father, when I consider how Jesus became man and was born in that manger for me, my heart wells up in praise. May that praise fuel me to share this good news with others, from those who know You to those who don’t. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P127

1Nevertheless, there will be ...

1Nevertheless, there will be no more gloom for those who were in distress. In the past he humbled the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, but in the future he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan— - P120

6For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

7Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on David’s throne and over his kingdom, establishing and upholding it with justice and righteousness from that time on and forever. The zeal of the Lord Almighty will accomplish this.

- P121

Zebulun and Naphtali, located in the northernmost part of Israel, receive the prophetic promise of the long-awaited Messiah. This region, referred to as "Galilee of the nations," or "Galilee of the Gentiles," is where Jesus spent most of His time and ministry. The fact that Gentiles outnumbered Jews in this region speaks of the ultimate fulfillment of God’s promise to bless all the peoples of the earth through Abraham’s seed. - P122

The light of Christ often shines most brightly in the darkest places. This is nothing less than God’s great grace, mercy, and love. - P122

As you celebrate the birth of the Savior this Christmas season, remember darkness has been defeated by the light of lights, Jesus. - P122

Through Isaiah‘s prophecy, God proclaims the birth of a child to whomrulership will be given. He will come from the line of David and His reignwill be an eternal reign of justice and righteousness. Laid in a feeding troughfor animals, the child born that night in Bethlehem is the Son of God. ThisSon, Isaiah reminds us, is "given." The God and Creator of the universe is agiver. This is His nature, and this is why we can count on His governmentand kingdom.  - P122

Unlike the kingdoms of this world, it is one of everlastingjustice, righteousness, and peace. Whatever the state of our lives and theworld this Christmas, we can be certain that this promise from God‘s holyWord will come to pass. - P122

"Those who walk in the light now will walk in Jesus‘s final triumph over darkness."
-Jonathan Dodson - P122

His light defeats all darkness, and His hope heals all brokenness. Just as Je-sus is our light, we as Christians are called to be a light in the lives of others.
God instructs us to bless, encourage, uplift, and care for those around us.
In doing so, we reflect His love to the hurting and shine His light into thedarkness. How can you be a beacon of God‘s light today? - P123

Dear God, thank you for the gift of Your Son and the promise of His return and reign. Help me learn to trust Your wisdom, which often appears so foolish in the eyes of the world. Most of all, grant me the courage to walk in it. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P123

[오늘의 한문장] 신약성경과 그 세계

그들은 서로 명예로운 행위 패턴을 따르도록 권면했는데, 이런 행위 패턴을 정의한 것이 바로 거룩함과 외부로 드러나는 사랑이라는 새 법이었다. - P148

10When they came to Geliloth ...

10When they came to Geliloth near the Jordan in the land of Canaan, the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh built an imposing altar there by the Jordan.

11And when the Israelites heard that they had built the altar on the border of Canaan at Geliloth near the Jordan on the Israelite side,

12the whole assembly of Israel gathered at Shiloh to go to war against them.

- P116

15When they went to Gilead—to Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh—they said to them:

16"The whole assembly of the Lord says: ‘How could you break faith with the God of Israel like this? How could you turn away from the Lord and build yourselves an altar in rebellion against him now?

- P116

17Was not the sin of Peor enough for us? Up to this very day we have not cleansed ourselves from that sin, even though a plague fell on the community of the Lord!

18And are you now turning away from the Lord? "‘If you rebel against the Lord today, tomorrow he will be angry with the whole community of Israel.

- P117

20When Achan son of Zerah was unfaithful in regard to the devoted things, did not wrath come on the whole community of Israel? He was not the only one who died for his sin.’" - P117

The eastern tribes build a large altar near the Jordan. The rest of Israel suspectsrebellion against God and gathers to go to war. They send Phinehas and thetribe leaders to confront them. They warn of the consequences of unfaithful-ness and urge the tribes not to rebel against the Lord by worshiping at an altarother than the one He blesses. - P117

Upon their return, the tribes living east of the Jordan build an altar by the river. The other tribes hear of it and misunderstand it as rebellion against God because God’s appointed place of worship was the tabernacle at Shiloh. Sacrifices could only be offered there. Although they misunderstood their fellow Israelites’ intentions, the rest of the congregation’s willingness to confront them is noteworthy. They want no other altar of worship among God’s people except what God had appointed. The altar at Shiloh foreshadows the cross on which Christ made the ultimate sacrifice: - P118

There is no other way for us to be able to draw near to God. Let there be no other altar of worship in our lives. - P118

The tribes from west of the Jordan are ready to go to war against theirbrothers if need be. But first, they warn the two and a half tribes that theconsequences of rebellion will affect the entire congregation. Do not imag-ine that this confrontation came easy for the ten and a half tribes. They areconfronting men who fought by their side, sharing the struggles of war.
But rather than rushing to fight their brothers, they first seek to reasonwith them.  - P118

When we have concerns regarding the behavior of our brothersand sisters, let us not be quick to quarrel with them. As Christ commanded(Matt. 18:15-20), let us approach them and explain our concerns, seekingtheir restoration and our unity. - P118

 I learned an important lesson that day: Accountability is not about punishment; it‘s about love.
Proverbs 27:17 tells us, "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpensanother. As Christians, we are called to encourage, exhort, uplift, andstrengthen one another, and one very important part of this is holding eachother accountable. In this way, we spur each other to live a life that is notonly pleasing to God but also inspiring to those around us. - P119

Lord God, I don’t like confrontation, but I know that it is sometimes necessary. Grant me the discernment I need to know when to talk only to You and when to express my concerns to others. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P119