`우리 목숨이 아까워서 그랬습니다. 어르신네가 모시고 섬기는 하나님 여호와께서 당신의 종 모세에게 이미 맹세하신 대로 이 땅을 모조리 어르신네에게 주시고 또 이 땅에 살고 있는 사람들도 모조리 쓸어 버리라고 하셨다는 말을 우리가 소문으로 들어 잘 알고 있었습니다. 그러한 소문을 들은데다가 또 어르신네가 가까이 다가온다는 말을 듣고는 어찌할 줄을 몰랐습니다. 그래서 우리 목숨이나마 부지하려고 그런 꾀를 썼던 것입니다. 너무나 무서웠기 때문에 그랬을뿐입니다.
이 구절의 의미
In Joshua 9:24, the Gibeonites explain to Joshua why they pretended to be from a faraway land. They were afraid that Joshua and the Israelites would destroy them because God had commanded the Israelites to take over the land and remove its inhabitants.
어린이를 위한 설명
Imagine you and your friends are playing a game where you take over a new playground. Another group of kids is scared you might kick them out. So, they pretend to be from a different school to make friends with you instead. That's what the Gibeonites did here.
역사적 배경
Joshua 9:24 is part of the Book of Joshua, written by Joshua or his followers around 1350 BC. The audience was the Israelites, and the cultural setting was post-exodus when they were settling in the promised land.
오늘의 적용
Today, consider how fear can lead people to make decisions. For example, a new employee might pretend to know everything to avoid seeming incompetent. Understanding others' fears can help you be more compassionate and less judgmental.
Why did the Gibeonites pretend to be from far away?
The Gibeonites pretended to be from far away because they were afraid of being destroyed by the Israelites, who were commanded by God to take over the land and remove its inhabitants.
How does this verse relate to God's commands?
This verse shows how the Gibeonites responded to the news of God's command to the Israelites to take over the land and remove its inhabitants, highlighting the fear and strategic actions of those facing a powerful force.
What can we learn about fear from this verse?
We can learn that fear can lead people to make strategic decisions, sometimes involving deception. Understanding this can help us be more compassionate and less judgmental towards others' fears.
How does this story apply to modern life?
The story can be applied to modern life by recognizing how fear influences decisions and actions. It can encourage compassion and understanding towards others' fears and strategies to avoid harm.