1Now the family heads of the ...

1Now the family heads of the Levites approached Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun, and the heads of the other tribal families of Israel

2at Shiloh in Canaan and said to them, "The Lord commanded through Moses that you give us towns to live in, with pasturelands for our livestock."

3So, as the Lord had commanded, the Israelites gave the Levites the following towns and pasturelands out of their own inheritance:

- P98

God promised that the Levites would receive homes and land in which to live and provide for their families. However, they did not just wait around for land to be handed to them. They approached the leaders of Israel and reminded them of God’s promise through the command He gave Moses. And the Israelites gave towns to the Levites in obedience to God’s command. God has given His children many promises. They are recorded throughout the Bible. - P100

Take note of them and bring them before Him in prayer. God loves when His children repeat His promises back to Him. As you learn more of God’s promises and act upon them, you will see the evidence of their fulfillment in your life. - P100

"God always provides for his children, though often it is not in the way we expect orhope. The challenge is for us to see his provision and care, even when it is differentthan we expect."- Matt Brown - P100

This can be practical: Give regularly and intentionally; supportyour pastor with encouragement, prayer, and tangible help. Spiritual leadersneed spiritual support-pray consistently for their wisdom, strength, andprotection. Ministry should not be marked by greed or neglect, but bygenerosity, humility, and mutual care. As we give-whether materially,
emotionally, or spiritually-may we do so as unto the Lord - P101

Dear Lord, You have promised to provide for my needs and You always keep Your word. There are times when I struggle to recognize Your provision. Protect my heart from doubting You and help me see what You have already provided so that I may abound in gratitude. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P101

[오늘의 한문장] 신약성경과 그 세계

사실, 기원후 1세기에 이르자, 팔레스타인 밖에 살던 유대인이 팔레스타인 안에 살던 유대인의 세 배나 됐으며, 유대인의 주된 언어도 히브리어가 아니라 그리스어가 됐다. 예수는 나사렛에서 성장하셨는데, 이 나사렛은 그리스의 영향을 받은 갈릴리해 연안 도시 세포리스에서 몇 마일밖에 떨어져 있지 않았다. 실제로 우리가 오늘날 ‘이스라엘-팔레스타인‘이라 생각하는 영역 안에는 그 문화와 종교 전통이 유대인의 그것과사뭇 달라서 유대인의 도시라 할 수 없는 도시가 많았다. 예수와 첫 예수 따르미들은 그리스어를 제2언어로서 구사할 수 있었을 가능성이 아주 높다.  - P107

1Then the Lord said to Joshua...

1Then the Lord said to Joshua:

2"Tell the Israelites to designate the cities of refuge, as I instructed you through Moses,

3so that anyone who kills a person accidentally and unintentionally may flee there and find protection from the avenger of blood.

- P94

7So they set apart Kedesh in Galilee in the hill country of Naphtali, Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim, and Kiriath Arba (that is, Hebron) in the hill country of Judah.

8East of the Jordan (on the other side from Jericho) they designated Bezer in the wilderness on the plateau in the tribe of Reuben, Ramoth in Gilead in the tribe of Gad, and Golan in Bashan in the tribe of Manasseh.

9Any of the Israelites or any foreigner residing among them who killed someone accidentally could flee to these designated cities and not be killed by the avenger of blood prior to standing trial before the assembly.
- P95

God makes provision for unintentional homicide. While this seems like an obvious decree in case of accidental death, it is actually a form of grace and a foreshadowing of God’s providence of a greater refuge for the guilty. - P96

Through Jesus, God provides the ultimate refuge for transgressors. When we commit a wrong, whether or not we meant to do it, we can flee to Christ. Satan may chase us and accuse us of wrongdoing, but in Christ, we are declared guiltless once and for all because He took the punishment that we deserved upon Himself. The next time you sin, even if you did not mean to, run to Christ for refuge. He has promised to never cast you to your accuser. - P96

God decrees that the cities of refuge admit not only Israelites but alsonon-Israelites who live within the community. Throughout the Law, Godmakes clear that He cares for foreigners, even when they were bornamong His chosen people. The Law makes provision for the neof bothIsraelites and foreigners, with the non-Israelites benefitting from their closeness with God‘s people.  - P96

When people are part of a local body of Christians,
they experience something of the grace that God pours out on believers. Inother words, you bless others near you because God has blessedhas chosen those who believe in Christ to receive His blessings and to carryyou. Goda taste of those blessings to those around them. - P96

Dear heavenly Father, thank you for the many blessings You have lavished upon me and for those that You are still promising to give. Open my eyes to Your merciful provisions and use me to help those around me taste how good You are. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P97

우리가 역사를 연구할 때, 당장 붙들고 씨름해야 할 ...

우리가 역사를 연구할 때, 당장 붙들고 씨름해야 할 문제가 있다. 그것은 바로 계몽주의 시대 이후 하나님과 사람들이 그렇게 불러 온 ‘초자연적인 것이 들어설 자리를 전혀 허용하지 않는 소위 ‘법칙laws‘이 우리가
‘역사‘라 여기는 것을 아주 많이 제약하는 조건이 되었다는 것이다.  - P51

문학비평기들이 1940년대 의도의 오류를 이야기하면서 의미는 저자의 의도에 매일 수 없다고 주장한 것도 바로그 때문이다. 이 때문에 1960년대의 과격한 문학 비평가들은 ‘의미‘ 형성을 다루면서 ‘저자의 죽음 Death of the Author‘을 언급했다. 의미는 독자나청자(듣는 이)의 생각 속에 있다. - P65

이사야의 의도와 그리스도인의 신학적 해석 사이에 존재하는 것처럼보이는 이런 차이를 우회하는 한 방법은 텍스트가 ‘의미했던 것(즉, 텍스트의 경험적 서술적 분석)과 텍스트가 의미하는 것(즉, 테스트의 창조적 반응적적용)을 구별하는 것이다." 존 골딩게이는 그런 접근법을 이사야 53장에적용하면서 이렇게 말한다.
이사야 53장은 메시아 예언이 아니라, 야훼의 종이요 선지자인 이가 어떻게 하여 이스라엘과 하나님의 관계를 올바로 회복시키고, 이스라엘사람 개개인을 갱신시키며, 이스라엘 민족으로 하여금 야훼를 알게 하는 방법이 되는지 묘사한 것이다. 그러나 우리는 이사야 53장이 사람들로 하여금 예수의 중요한 의미를 이해하게 돕는 본문이 되었음도 알 수있다.  - P67

51These are the territories t...

51These are the territories that Eleazar the priest, Joshua son of Nun and the heads of the tribal clans of Israel assigned by lot at Shiloh in the presence of the Lord at the entrance to the tent of meeting. And so they finished dividing the land. - P91

The tribes of Asher, Naphtali, and Dan receive their allotted lands, completing the settlement of Israel in the promised land. At one point, the Danites have to fight to keep their land, but regardless of the challenges the Israelites face, it is clear that God has fulfilled His promise to His people. - P92

His faithfulness has endured through generations. From Abraham, who believed God’s promise, to Moses leading Israel out of Egypt, and Joshua guiding them into the promised land, God’s plan has unfolded as He declared. - P92

For our own lives, we can be encouraged that God will fulfill all His promises to us in His perfect timing. Though challenges may come, we know that we can rely on our trustworthy and faithful God. - P92

Joshua completes the monumental task of leading Israel into theised land and distributing the inheritances to each tribe. He has trusted inGod‘s promises and remained a faithful leader. Joshua‘s steadfastness is nowrewarded as he receives his own inheritance-the town he asks for. This reminds us that obedience to God may not always bring immediate materialblessings, but God honors faithfulness and perseverance.  - P92

Every assignmentHe gives-whether big or small requires diligence, trust, and commitment. Like Joshua, we are called to stay faithful, even when challenges ariseor rewards seem distant.  - P92

God‘s reward may be tangible or spiritual, but His-faithfulness is certain. Our part is to remain obedient and trust in Him. - P92

"All God‘s promises are places of refuge, fortresses where we may flee when we feelweak."-Jon Bloom - P92

Although casting lots is nota common method to determine God‘s will for us today because we havedirect access to God‘s Word and His indwelling Holy Spirit to guide us inour decision-making process, we can learn from the heart posture of theIsraelites. They were willing to submit to whatever outcome was presentedin the casting of lots.
- P93

Our heartposture when going to God in prayer with our requests, ques-tions, and concerns should always be one of submission to the Lord‘s will,
plan, and ways. We may have ideas about what we want an outcome to be,
but we demonstrate our humility and trust in Him when we are willing tolet God be the ultimate decision-maker of our lives.  - P93

We may receive thedesire of our heart, as long as that desire is in alignment with His ways, orwe may receive an answer that we neither desired nor expected. WhateverGod decides, it is important that we have humble hearts that are willing tosubmit to His purpose and ways when they differ from our own. - P93

Father, thank you for Your faithfulness throughout history and in my own life. Help me to trust Your promises and obey Your Word even when challenges arise. Strengthen my faith to believe and follow You, knowing that You fulfill all You have spoken. In Your Son’s name I pray, amen. - P93