우리는 또 이렇게도 말하였습니다. ‘만일 그들이 우리나 우리 자손에게 그런 말을 하면 우리는 이렇게 대답할 것이다. “주의 제단과 꼭 같이 쌓은 이 단을 보시오. 이것은 번제물이나 희생제물을 드리기 위한 것이 아니라, 우리와 그대들 사이에 증거로 삼으려고 쌓은 것이오.”’
이 구절의 의미
This verse is part of a conversation between the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh, explaining why they built an altar. They wanted to show that the altar was not for sacrifices, but a symbol of their unity and witness to future generations.
어린이를 위한 설명
Imagine you and your friends build a big treehouse. You tell others it's not for playing in, but to show everyone that you're part of the same team. That's what these tribes did with their altar—they made it to show they're part of God's team.
역사적 배경
Joshua 22 was written by Joshua, likely around 1380 BCE. This section addresses the concerns of the Israelite tribes living on the east side of the Jordan River, who built an altar to show their commitment to God and their unity with the tribes on the west side.
오늘의 적용
Today, this verse reminds us of the importance of setting clear boundaries and symbols to maintain relationships and shared values. For example, a couple might create a tradition that signifies their love and commitment, like a special date every month.
The altar was built as a witness to future generations, to show their commitment to God and to demonstrate unity with the other tribes of Israel, despite living on the other side of the Jordan River.
Why did they build an altar that was not for sacrifices?
They wanted to avoid any misunderstanding that they were setting up an alternative place of worship. The altar was symbolic, showing their unity and faithfulness to God.
How does this verse relate to the concept of unity?
This verse highlights the importance of unity among believers. The tribes built the altar to show their commitment to being part of God's people and to maintain harmony with the other tribes.
What can we learn about symbolism from this verse?
The altar in Joshua 22 is a powerful symbol of unity and witness. This teaches us that symbols can be very effective in conveying important messages, especially for future generations.