[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

전통 대대로 갈릴리, 사마리아, 유대라 불러 온 지역...

전통 대대로 갈릴리, 사마리아, 유대라 불러 온 지역은 널리 그렇게 부르는 이름일 뿐이지, 영구히 고정된 사회 실체 혹은 지리적 실체가 아니다. 이 지역 전체는 서남쪽의 이두메아, 동남쪽의 나바테아, 요단강 건너편의 베뢰아와 데가볼리 지역 도시들, 그리고 동북쪽의 바타네아/가울란티스지역이 에워싸고 있었다. 갈릴리 바로 북쪽에는 코일레-시리아가 있었다. 갈릴리는 ‘이방인의 갈릴리‘라 불렸는데, 이는 이방인이 많이 살았기 때문이 아니라, 동서남북 사방을 이방인 지역이 에워싸고 있었기 때문이었다. - P137

팔레스타인은 세 언어를 사용하는 환경이었다. 페르시아제국의 공용어 lingua franca였던 아랍어는 여전히 대다수 사람이 쓰는 언어였다. 그리스와 로마가 이 지역을 잇달아 정복했지만, 아람어는 수 세기 동안 그생명을 지속했다. (아람어는 시리아어와 가까운 동족어이며, 시리아어의 고대 형태는일부 사람들이 지금도 살아 있는 언어로서 사용하고 있다.)  - P138

성경을 읽는 경우처럼 전례 자리에서 발견할 수 있는 언어였으나, 일부사람들은 말하는 언어로 사용했으며, 글을 쓰고 명문을 새길 때도 사용했다. 그리스어도 널리 사용했으며, 특히 상인과 지배 계층이 사용했다.
예수는 나사렛에서 자라셨기 때문에, 아람어를 쓰신 게 확실하다. 신약성경이 예수가 하신 말씀이라며 음역하여 제시한 말은 모두 아람어이다(가령 막 5:41을 보라). 아울러 예수는 적어도 히브리어를 읽으실 수 있었던것 같다(눅 4:16-20을 보라). 우리가 앞서 제시했듯이, 십중팔구는 그리스어도 구사하실 수 있었을 것이며, 마가복음 7:24-30 에 등장하는 시리아-페니키아(수로보니게) 여자 같은 이방인과 대화하실 때도, 혹은 본디오 빌라도 같은 이와 대화하실 때도 그리스어로 하셨을 가능성이 있다. 어쩌면 단일 언어 문화권에서 사는 사람들은 그때나 지금이나 이 세계에는 사람들이 아주 정밀한 언어 구사 능력을 갖추지 않고 높은 수준의 교육을 받지 않아도 서너 언어를 두루 쓸 수 있음을 당연하게 여기는 곳이많음을 유념해야 할지도 모르겠다. - P139

5But be very careful to keep ...

5But be very careful to keep the commandment and the law that Moses the servant of the Lord gave you: to love the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to keep his commands, to hold fast to him and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul." - P112

9So the Reubenites, the Gadites and the half-tribe of Manasseh left the Israelites at Shiloh in Canaan to return to Gilead, their own land, which they had acquired in accordance with the command of the Lord through Moses. - P113

Joshua commends the obedience of the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and thehalf-tribe of Manasseh who live to the east of the Jordan River. After fight-ing alongside their fellow Israelites in the promised land, they are blessedto go back to their homes on the other side of the river. However, Joshuaalso warns that they should not take their peaceful lives of great wealth forgranted. Notice the progression of the charge Joshua gives. They are to loveGod and walk in obedience to Him, serving Him with all their heart andsoul. This is the key to a life lived with God: As we love Him with all ourheart, seeking to hear and obey Him, we will experience God‘s blessings.
It all starts from within.  - P114

If we truly love God, we will obey Him and keepHis commandments. - P114

Dear Jesus, thank you for giving us Yourself. Help us to faithfully do the goodworks You have prepared for us. Help us to be a family that encourages oneanother to walk with You every day. In Your name, amen. - P114

41The towns of the Levites in...

41The towns of the Levites in the territory held by the Israelites were forty-eight in all, together with their pasturelands.

42Each of these towns had pasturelands surrounding it; this was true for all these towns.

43So the Lord gave Israel all the land he had sworn to give their ancestors, and they took possession of it and settled there.

44The Lord gave them rest on every side, just as he had sworn to their ancestors. Not one of their enemies withstood them; the Lord gave all their enemies into their hands.

45Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.

- P107

Forty-eight towns with their pasturelands are allotted to the Levites. No separate inheritance is given to these servants of God. Scattered throughout the land, the Levites are a visible and vocal presence of God and His word. Every tribe contributes towns and pasturelands, and they are all given access to the ministry of the Levites. - P108

In the new covenant, the priesthood expands to include all those who follow Jesus. We are a kingdom of priests commanded by Jesus to go into the world, making disciples of people from every tribe, tongue, and nation. The Levites served God and the tribes of Israel, but we are called to shine God’s light to all.
- P108

The unbelief of the previous generation of Israelites kept them from enter-ing the promised land. Instead, they wandered for forty years in the wilder-ness. The younger generation of Israelites who are blessed to enter the landfight battles, take possession of the cities, and settle in the place flowingwith milk and honey. After much war, God enables them to have rest onevery side. Even powerful enemies are unable to withstand them, and everyone of God‘s good promises to Israel is fulfilled.  - P108

Whatever obstacles andenemies we may face, we can be encouraged to faithfully persevere becausewe know we will enter God‘s rest. We can trust God even in the darkest oftimes. His promises will never fail. - P108

Lord, things can be chaotic in this world, but You are always in control. Help me to persevere through difficult times and allow Your rest to saturate my life so that I might shine Your light and reflect Your peace wherever I go. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P108