8So the Israelites allotted t...

8So the Israelites allotted to the Levites these towns and their pasturelands, as the Lord had commanded through Moses. - P102

When Moses was the leader of Israel, God commanded him that towns and pasturelands be allotted to the Levites in the land of Canaan. Now, the Israelites are under Joshua’s leadership. When the Levites remind Joshua of God’s command to Moses, Joshua and the people obey. There is not even a hint of grumbling or opposition. And through their unity in obedience, the Levites are provided for. This one verse speaks volumes about the spiritual condition of the people at the time. They recognized that this command given under the leadership of Moses was issued by God. - P104

When God’s people are united in obedience to His words, our unity bears good fruit that blesses others. - P104

Several cities in the promised land are referred to as "a city of refuge forone accused of murder." This does not refer to intentional murder, but towhat we would call manslaughter. Those who flee to these cities for asylumwould be protected against the blood vengeance regularly practiced duringthis time. The cities of refuge are all cities allotted to the Levites-to thosecalled to minister to God‘s people.  - P104

God‘s mercy is the refuge for all who findthemselves in times of distress and fear for their future. What a message thisis for our churches! God has made believers "a royal priesthood" (1 Pet. 2:9)and the church is called to be a place of refuge for those who are frightenedby the brokenness of this world. - P104

Galatians 6:2 instructs us, "Carry each other‘s burdens, and in this way youwill fulfill the law of Christ." You are in a unique position to use the talentsand resources God has given you to bless those around you, for their goodand for His glory. How is God calling you to provide for others today? - P105

Lord God, today I pray for my church. May we walk together in the unity that Your Spirit brings, and may we be a place of refuge for those who need to receive Your grace and mercy. In Jesus’ name, amen. - P105

기원전 142년에 이르러, 500년 만에 처음으로 유...

기원전 142년에 이르러, 500년 만에 처음으로 유대 민족에게 외세의 통치로부터 완전한 독립을 가져다 줄 수 있는 기회를 의미했다. 하스몬왕조는 그들의 권력과 부를 공고히 다지면서, 그들을 에워싸고 있던 부족들이 거주하는 갈릴리, 이두매, 요단강 건너편 지역, 시리아 일부까지 그경계를 차츰차츰 넓혀갔으며, 그곳에 거주하는 사람들을 강제로 유대교로 개종시켰다. 하지만 대다수 통치 왕조와 마찬가지로, 내부의 권력 투쟁과 정치 음모가 결국 왕국의 힘을 갉아먹기 시작했다. 하스몬왕조는내란의 무게에 짓눌려 부서지기 시작했는데, 하필 그때 서쪽의 로마와동쪽의 파르티아라는 외부 위협까지 엄습했다. - P112

 폭군을 제거하고 그가 강요한 우상숭배 관습을 없애긴 했지만, 그렇다고 새 하스몬 체제가 과연 하나님이 정말로 원하셨던것일까? 오히려 새 하스몬 체제도 그 나름대로 헬레니즘과 적극 타협하면서, 가령 왕의 자리와 대제사장 자리를 결합함으로써) 유대인의 민감한 종교적감성을 거칠게 자극하지 않았는가? 어떤 이들은 하스몬 체제에 맹렬히반대하면서, 이집트 엘레판티네나 유대 광야의 쿰란에 있던 공동체처럼대안 공동체를 세우기도 했다. 또 다른 이들은, 바리새인의 원조인 하시딤 Hasidim (경건한 이들)처럼, 불만을 토로하면서도 안에 머물면서 내부적으로 사회를 개혁하려고 했다. 또 다른 이들은 아예 권력 투쟁을 벌여 권력을 쟁취하기도 했는데, 주목할 만한 예가 헤롯대왕의 아버지로서 안티파테르라 불렸던 이두매인이었다.  - P113

대다수 유대인(글을 쓸 줄도 모르고, 시위도 못하며, 목소리조차 내지 못한 이들)은 입에 풀칠하며 먹고 사느라 치열하게 싸웠으며, 갖가지 신학이 서로 싸움을 벌이는 사회의 압력 속에서도언제나 그들의 최선을 다해 민족과 문화의 상징에 성실히 충성하려고애썼다. 사람들은 이처럼 기원전 2세기가 지닌 이런 여러 모호한 모습에다양한 반응을 보였으며, 바로 이런 반응이 예수와 바울이 알았던, 다양한 형태를 지닌 유대 사회를 만들어 냈다. - P113

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