[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

but my fellow Israelites who ...

but my fellow Israelites who went up with me made the hearts of the people melt in fear. I, however, followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly.

9So on that day Moses swore to me, ‘The land on which your feet have walked will be your inheritance and that of your children forever, because you have followed the Lord my God wholeheartedly.’

10"Now then, just as the Lord promised, he has kept me alive for forty-five years since the time he said this to Moses, while Israel moved about in the wilderness. So here I am today, eighty-five years old!

11I am still as strong today as the day Moses sent me out; I’m just as vigorous to go out to battle now as I was then.

12Now give me this hill country that the Lord promised me that day. You yourself heard then that the Anakites were there and their cities were large and fortified, but, the Lord helping me, I will drive them out just as he said."

- P43

13Then Joshua blessed Caleb son of Jephunneh and gave him Hebron as his inheritance.

14So Hebron has belonged to Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite ever since, because he followed the Lord, the God of Israel, wholeheartedly.

15(Hebron used to be called Kiriath Arba after Arba, who was the greatest man among the Anakites.

- P43

Joshua, Aaron’s son Eleazar, and the other leaders of Israel follow God’s instructions to Moses and assign the inheritances by lot, ensuring that the process is impartial; no tribe receives favoritism over another. The Levites, however, do not receive a large share of land, but they are given towns to live in and pasturelands for their flocks and herds because their role in the community will be serving God and the people full-time in the tabernacle. The process reflects God’s wisdom. - P44

Not all of us will receive the same amount from the Lord, and not all of us are called to serve as full-time ministers. However, each of us will receive what we need as we live out our callings to serve God and His people. - P44

Dear God, nothing in this world can satisfy as much as living my life for You. Show me what is keeping me from wholehearted devotion to You so that I can serve You well and inspire others to do the same. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P44