20250610 [새벽묵상] 생명의 하나님이 세우신 도피성 | Cities of Refuge Established by the God of Life (민/Num 35:22~34)

35:22 악의가 없이 우연히 사람을 밀치거나 기회를 엿봄이 없이 무엇을 던지거나

35:23 보지 못하고 사람을 죽일 만한 돌을 던져서 죽였을 때에 이는 악의도 없고 해하려 한 것도 아닌즉

35:24 회중이 친 자와 피를 보복하는 자 간에 이 규례대로 판결하여

35:25 피를 보복하는 자의 손에서 살인자를 건져내어 그가 피하였던 도피성으로 돌려보낼 것이요 그는 거룩한 기름 부음을 받은 대제사장이 죽기까지 거기 거주할 것이니라

22 “‘But if without enmity someone suddenly pushes another or throws something at them unintentionally 23 or, without seeing them, drops on them a stone heavy enough to kill them, and they die, then since that other person was not an enemy and no harm was intended, 24 the assembly must judge between the accused and the avenger of blood according to these regulations. 25 The assembly must protect the one accused of murder from the avenger of blood and send the accused back to the city of refuge to which they fled. The accused must stay there until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the holy oil.

35:26 그러나 살인자가 어느 때든지 그 피하였던 도피성 지경 밖에 나가면

35:27 피를 보복하는 자가 도피성 지경 밖에서 그 살인자를 만나 죽일지라도 피 흘린 죄가 없나니

35:28 이는 살인자가 대제사장이 죽기까지 그 도피성에 머물러야 할 것임이라 대제사장이 죽은 후에는 그 살인자가 자기 소유의 땅으로 돌아갈 수 있느니라

26 “‘But if the accused ever goes outside the limits of the city of refuge to which they fled 27 and the avenger of blood finds them outside the city, the avenger of blood may kill the accused without being guilty of murder. 28 The accused must stay in the city of refuge until the death of the high priest; only after the death of the high priest may they return to their own property.

35:29 이는 너희의 대대로 거주하는 곳에서 판결하는 규례라

29 “‘This is to have the force of law for you throughout the generations to come, wherever you live.

35:30 사람을 죽인 모든 자 곧 살인한 자는 증인들의 말을 따라서 죽일 것이나 한 증인의 증거만 따라서 죽이지 말 것이요

30 “‘Anyone who kills a person is to be put to death as a murderer only on the testimony of witnesses. But no one is to be put to death on the testimony of only one witness.

35:31 고의로 살인죄를 범한 살인자는 생명의 속전을 받지 말고 반드시 죽일 것이며

31 “‘Do not accept a ransom for the life of a murderer, who deserves to die. They are to be put to death.

35:32 또 도피성에 피한 자는 대제사장이 죽기 전에는 속전을 받고 그의 땅으로 돌아가 거주하게 하지 말 것이니라

32 “‘Do not accept a ransom for anyone who has fled to a city of refuge and so allow them to go back and live on their own land before the death of the high priest.

35:33 너희는 너희가 거주하는 땅을 더럽히지 말라 피는 땅을 더럽히나니 피 흘림을 받은 땅은 그 피를 흘리게 한 자의 피가 아니면 속함을 받을 수 없느니라

35:34 너희는 너희가 거주하는 땅 곧 내가 거주하는 땅을 더럽히지 말라 나 여호와는 이스라엘 자손 중에 있음이니라

33 “‘Do not pollute the land where you are. Bloodshed pollutes the land, and atonement cannot be made for the land on which blood has been shed, except by the blood of the one who shed it. 34 Do not defile the land where you live and where I dwell, for I, the Lord, dwell among the Israelites.’”

                  오늘 말씀은 어제 말씀에 이어 하나님께서 세우신 도피성에 대해서 설명하고 있습니다.  인간이 범할 수 있는 범죄 중에 가장 큰 범죄는 다른 사람의 생명을 앗아가는 살인일 것입니다. 당시 고대 근동 사회에는 ‘피의 보복’이라는 관습으로 살인자를 처벌하는 것이 일반적이었습니다. 우리는 너무나 잘 알고 있지요. 함무라비 법전의 ‘눈에는 눈, 이에는 이.’ 사람을 죽인 자는 그 처벌로서 죽임을 당하는 것이 맞다는 말입니다. 그러나 오늘 말씀은 하나님께서는 조금 다른 생각을 가지셨다는 것을 보여줍니다. 고의적 살인과 실수로 일어난 살인을 엄격히 구분하시고 그에 따라 ‘도피성’이라는 독특한 제도를 마련해 주십니다. 우리는 이 제도를 통해 하나님께서 얼마나 우리의 생명을 귀히 여기시는지 엿볼 수 있습니다. 그리고 그것은 생명이신 하나님께서 당신의 백성들 가운데 거하기 위해 명령하신 일이었습니다. 오늘은 생명의 하나님이 세우신 도피성이라는 제목으로 말씀을 전하기 원합니다.

Today's passage, following yesterday's message, explains the cities of refuge that God established. Among the greatest crimes a human can commit is taking another person's life. In ancient Near Eastern societies, it was common practice to punish murderers through the custom of 'blood vengeance.' We are all too familiar with this, aren't we? The Code of Hammurabi states, "An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth." It implies that one who kills should rightly be put to death as punishment. However, today's passage shows us that God had a slightly different perspective. He strictly distinguished between intentional murder and accidental killing and, accordingly, established a unique system: the 'cities of refuge.' Through this system, we can glimpse how much God values our lives. And it was a command from God, the source of life, for Him to dwell among His people. Today, I wish to share a message titled "Cities of Refuge Established by the God of Life."

                  첫번째, 하나님께서는 과실치사자의 생명까지도 귀히 여기시며 보호하십니다. 오늘 말씀의 22-23절은 “악의가 없이 우연히,” “기회를 엿봄이 없이,” 또 “악의도 없고 해하려 한 것도 아닌즉” 과 같은 표현으로 무고성의 기준을 명확하게 설명합니다. 또한 세가지 구체적인 사례를 듦으로써 말씀을 듣는 사람들이 과실치사로 인한 살인이 어떤 것인지 직관적으로 이해할 수 있도록 돕고 있지요. 또한 24절을 보시면, 함께 한번 읽어보겠습니다. “회중이 친 자와 피를 보복하는 자 간에 이 규례대로 판결하여” 앞에서 고대 근동에서는 피의 보복으로 살인자를 처벌한다고 말씀드렸었습니다. 그런데 이 말씀을 보면 피의 보복 전에 재판을 받을 기회를 주십니다. 이는 당시로서는 매우 파격적인 제도이지요. 과실치사이지만 사람을 죽인 자의 생명을 하나님께서 그 복수자로부터 보호하여 주시는 것입니다. 그런데 30절을 보면 그 재판의 과정 또한 매우 공정함을 볼 수 있습니다. 30절에서 뭐라고 말씀하십니까? “한 증인의 증거만 따라서 죽이지 말 것이요.” 그렇죠. 신명기 19:15 말씀처럼 적어도 “두 증인이나 세 증인의 입으로 그 사건을 확정”하여야 합니다. 악의가 없이 우연히 일어난 일이라는 것을 증명할 수 있는 기회를 보장해주시는 것이지요. 이는 또한 누명으로부터 그를 보호하시는 것이기도 합니다. 자 그래서 재판을 통해 과실치사를 증명하면 어떻게 됩니까? 25절 말씀 함께 읽겠습니다. “피를 보복하는 자의 손에서 살인자를 건져내어 그가 피하였던 도피성으로 돌려보낼 것이요 그는 거룩한 기름 부음을 받은 대제사장이 죽기까지 거기 거주할 것이니라.” 피의 보복자로부터 그의 생명을 보호하시는 도피성을 제공하십니다. 이 도피성 안에 있으면 이 사람은 하나님의 보호를 받습니다. 누구도 이 사람을 해할 수 없습니다. 게다가 28절을 보니 뭐라고 말씀하십니까? “대제사장이 죽은 후에는 그 살인자가 자기 소유의 땅으로 돌아갈 수 있느니라” 하나님의 보호하심 아래 거하다가 대제사장이 죽으면 그때에는 본래의 삶으로 돌아갈 수 있는 길이 열려있는 것입니다. 하나님께서 단순히 이 사람의 목숨만을 부지하게 하신 것이 아니라 다시 자신의 삶으로 돌아갈 수 있는 희망 또한 주신 것입니다. 하나님께서는 이렇게 과실 치사자의 생명까지도 귀히 여기시며 보호하십니다. 여기까지 들으시면 의문이 드실 것입니다. 아니 아무리 실수라도 사람을 죽였는데 이러면 죽은 사람은 억울해서 어떡하나. 자 여기서 두번째 포인트입니다.

First, God values and protects even the lives of those who commit involuntary manslaughter.

Today's passage, Numbers 35:22-23 (NIV), clearly defines the criteria for unintentional killing with phrases like "without malice aforethought, suddenly," "without lying in wait," and "not an enemy and has not intended harm." It also provides three specific examples, helping the listeners intuitively understand what constitutes a killing due to involuntary manslaughter. Furthermore, if you look at verse 24, let's read it together: "The assembly must then decide between the slayer and the avenger of blood, according to these regulations." As I mentioned earlier, in the ancient Near East, murderers were punished by blood vengeance. However, this verse shows that a trial is given before blood vengeance. This was a very radical system for its time, wasn't it? God protects the life of the person who committed manslaughter, even though they killed someone, from the avenger. But in verse 30, we see that the trial process is also very fair. What does verse 30 say? "No one is to be put to death on the testimony of only one witness." That's right. As Deuteronomy 19:15 states, "At the testimony of two or three witnesses a matter shall be established." This guarantees an opportunity to prove that the incident occurred accidentally, without malice. It also protects them from false accusation.

So, what happens if involuntary manslaughter is proven through a trial? Let's read verse 25 together: "The assembly must protect the accused from the avenger of blood and send the accused back to the city of refuge to which they fled. The accused must stay there until the death of the high priest1, who was anointed with t2he sacred oil." God provides a city of refuge that protects their life from the avenger of blood. As long as this person stays within the city of refuge, they are under God's protection. No one can harm them. Moreover, what does verse 28 say? "After the death of the high priest, the slayer may go back to their own property." They remain under God's protection, and when the high priest dies, a path is opened for them to return to their original life. God not only preserved their life but also gave them hope to return to their own life. Thus, God values and protects the lives of those who commit involuntary manslaughter. Hearing this, you might have a question: "Even if it was an accident, they killed someone. What about the injustice to the deceased?" This leads to our second point.

                  두번째, 하나님께서는 희생된 자의 생명 또한 귀히 여기시며 그에 대한 정의를 요구하십니다. 오늘 말씀 31-32절은 생명의 속전에 대한 이야기를 하고 있습니다. 고대 근동에서는 피의 보복이라는 관습과 더불어 한가지 다른 방법으로 살인죄를 해결하고 있는데요. 그것은 바로 속전입니다. 고의로 사람을 죽였더라도 생명의 속전, 즉 돈을 지불하면 목숨은 부지할 수 있었습니다. 그런데 오늘 31과 32절은 어떠한 경우에도 하나님께서 생명의 속전을 용납하지 않으신다는 것을 보여줍니다. 31절은 고의살인이어서 쉽게 이해가 되지만 32절은 과실치사로 인한 살인 임에도 불구하고 속전을 용납하지 않으시지요. 그러면서 33절에서 속함에 대한 말씀을 하십니다. “피 흘림을 받은 땅은 그 피를 흘리게 한 자의 피가 아니면 속함을 받을 수 없느니라” 하나님 앞에서 생명이란 돈으로 환산할 수 없는 너무나 귀한 것입니다. 오직 생명만이 다른 생명의 값을 치룰 수 있는 것이 하나님의 원칙인 것입니다. 자 그렇다면 의문이 생깁니다. 아까 과실치사자는 엄청 보호하셨는데? 그건 뭡니까? 자 25절을 다시 한번 보겠습니다. 과실치사자의 재판을 마친 뒤에 과실치사라고 판명이 되더라도 그를 무죄라고 말씀하시지 않으십니다. 그를 풀어주시거나 속전으로 지불할 수 없게 하십니다. 그를 도피성에 연금 시킴으로써 하나님께서는 그의 생명으로, 그의 시간으로 죽임 당한 자의 생명의 값을 치루게 하시는 것입니다. 언제까지요? 거룩한 기름 부음을 받은 대제사장이 죽기까지. 이것만이 아닙니다. 하나님께서 희생된 자의 생명을 귀히 여기시고 그에 대한 정의를 요구하셨다는 것은 증거가 또 있습니다. 26-27절의 말씀입니다. 무엇입니까? 살인자가 하나님께서 명하신 도피성을 벗어나면 피의 보복자가 그를 죽이는 것을 허락하십니다. 이를 통하여 아무리 과실치사라 할지라도 죽은 자의 생명을 하나님께서 얼마나 귀히 여기시는지 알 수 있습니다. 또 남겨진 가족의 마음을 헤아리셔서 그들이 받아 마땅한 정의를 취할 수 있는 기회를 주시는 것을 볼 수 있습니다. 하나님께서는 희생된 자의 생명 또한 귀히 여기시며 그에 대한 정의 또한 요구하시는 것입니다.

Second, God also values the life of the victim and demands justice for it.

Today's passage, Numbers 35:31-32 (NIV), speaks of the ransom for life. In the ancient Near East, in addition to the custom of blood vengeance, there was another way to resolve murder cases: atonement money or ransom. Even if someone intentionally killed another, they could preserve their life by paying a ransom. However, verses 31 and 32 show that God does not permit a ransom for life under any circumstances. Verse 31 is easily understood as intentional murder, but verse 32 prohibits ransom even for involuntary manslaughter, doesn't it? Then, in verse 33, it speaks of atonement: "You must not pollute the land where you live, for blood pollutes the land, and atonement for the land can be made only by the blood of the one who shed it." In God's sight, life is too precious to be exchanged for money. It is God's principle that only life can atone for another life.

So, a question arises: "Didn't God protect the involuntary manslaughterer so much just now?" What about that? Let's look at verse 25 again. Even after the trial of an involuntary manslaughterer, if it's proven to be involuntary, God does not declare them innocent. He does not release them, nor does He allow a ransom to be paid. By confining them to the city of refuge, God makes them pay the price for the victim's life with their own life and time. Until when? Until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the sacred oil.

This is not all. There is further evidence that God valued the victim's life and demanded justice for it. Look at Numbers 35:26-27 (NIV). What does it say? "But if the slayer ever goes outside the limits of the city of refuge to which they fled, and the avenger of blood finds them outside the city, the avenger of blood may kill the3 slayer without being guilty of murder." Through this, we can see how much God values the life of the deceased, even in cases of involuntary manslaughter. We also see that He considers the feelings of the grieving family and gives them an opportunity to obtain the justice they deserve. God values the life of the victim and also demands justice for it.

                  말씀을 맺습니다. 하나님께서 도피성이라는 제도를 통해 얼마나 생명을 귀히 여기셨는지 볼 수 있었습니다. 과실치사자, 또 그로 인한 희생자 모두의 생명을 경중없이 귀히 여기셨습니다. 그렇다면 하나님께서는 왜 그렇게 생명을 귀히 여기셨는가? 오늘 말씀 34절은 이렇게 설명하고 있습니다. “너희는 너희가 거주하는 땅 곧 내가 거주하는 땅을 더럽히지 말라 나 여호와는 이스라엘 자손 중에 있음이니라” 모든 만물에 생명을 주신 생명의 근원이신 하나님께서 이들 가운데 거하십니다. 자기 백성 중에 거하시기 위하여서 하나님께서는 이들에게 피로 그 땅을 더럽히지 말라고 한 것입니다. 왜 입니까? 33절, “피 흘림을 받은 땅은 그 피를 흘리게 한 자의 피가 아니면 속함을 받을 수 없느니라.” 생명은 생명으로만 속함을 받을 수 있다고 말씀하십니다. 그래서 하나님께서는 고의로 살인한 자는 그의 생명으로, 과실치사로 살인한 자는 도피성을 세워 주시고 대제사장이 죽을 때에 그의 생명으로 살인자를 대속하신 것입니다. 여러분 우리의 도피성은 어디 있습니까? 그렇습니다. 바로 예수 그리스도께서 우리의 도피성이십니다. 거룩한 기름 부음을 받은 대제사장이신 예수님께서 당신의 생명으로 우리를 대속하셨습니다. 우리를 자유케 하셨습니다. 우리로 생명을 얻게 하셨습니다. 생명의 하나님께서 우리에게 세우신 예수님이라는 도피성. 우리의 생명을 귀히 여기시고 우리 가운데 거하기 원하시는 하나님께 이 시간 함께 부르짖으며 나아가기 원합니다.

Conclusion

To conclude, we have seen how much God valued life through the system of cities of refuge. He valued the lives of both the involuntary manslaughterer and the victim equally, without distinction. So, why did God value life so highly? Today's passage, Numbers 35:34 (NIV), explains it: "Do not defile the land where you live and where I dwell, for I the LORD dwell among the Israelites." God, the source of all life, who gave life to all creation, dwells among them. To dwell among His own people, God commanded them not to defile the land with blood. Why? Because, as verse 33 says, "Atonement for the land can be made only by the blood of the one who shed it." Life can only be atoned for by life. Therefore, God established that for intentional murderers, their own lives would atone, and for those who committed involuntary manslaughter, He provided the cities of refuge, and the death of the high priest would atone for their lives.

My friends, where is our city of refuge? That's right. Jesus Christ is our city of refuge. Jesus, our High Priest who was anointed with sacred oil, atoned for us with His own life. He set us free. He gave us life. The city of refuge, Jesus, established for us by the God of Life. At this hour, we want to cry out to God, who values our lives and desires to dwell among us.