20251021 [새벽묵상] 만군의 여호와께서 이루시리니 너는 손을 견고히 하라 | The LORD of Hosts Will Do It: Strengthen Your Hands! (슥/Zec 8:1~17)

8:1 만군의 여호와의 말씀이 임하여 이르시되

1 The word of the Lord Almighty came to me.

8:2 만군의 여호와가 이같이 말하노라 내가 시온을 위하여 크게 질투하며 그를 위하여 크게 분노함으로 질투하노라

2 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “I am very jealous for Zion; I am burning with jealousy for her.”

8:3 여호와가 이같이 말하노라 내가 시온에 돌아와 예루살렘 가운데에 거하리니 예루살렘은 진리의 성읍이라 일컫겠고 만군의 여호와의 산은 성산이라 일컫게 되리라

3 This is what the Lord says: “I will return to Zion and dwell in Jerusalem. Then Jerusalem will be called the Faithful City, and the mountain of the Lord Almighty will be called the Holy Mountain.”

8:4 만군의 여호와가 이같이 말하노라 예루살렘 길거리에 늙은 남자들과 늙은 여자들이 다시 앉을 것이라 다 나이가 많으므로 저마다 손에 지팡이를 잡을 것이요

8:5 그 성읍 거리에 소년과 소녀들이 가득하여 거기에서 뛰놀리라

4 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Once again men and women of ripe old age will sit in the streets of Jerusalem, each of them with cane in hand because of their age. 5 The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there.”

8:6 만군의 여호와가 이같이 말하노라 이 일이 그 날에 남은 백성의 눈에는 기이하려니와 내 눈에야 어찌 기이하겠느냐 만군의 여호와의 말이니라

6 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “It may seem marvelous to the remnant of this people at that time, but will it seem marvelous to me?” declares the Lord Almighty.

8:7 만군의 여호와가 이같이 말하노라 보라, 내가 내 백성을 해가 뜨는 땅과 해가 지는 땅에서부터 구원하여 내고

8:8 인도하여다가 예루살렘 가운데에 거주하게 하리니 그들은 내 백성이 되고 나는 진리와 공의로 그들의 하나님이 되리라

7 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “I will save my people from the countries of the east and the west. 8 I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem; they will be my people, and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God.”

8:9 만군의 여호와가 이같이 말하노라 만군의 여호와의 집 곧 성전을 건축하려고 그 지대를 쌓던 날에 있었던 선지자들의 입의 말을 이 날에 듣는 너희는 손을 견고히 할지어다

8:10 이 날 전에는 사람도 삯을 얻지 못하였고 짐승도 삯을 받지 못하였으며 사람이 원수로 말미암아 평안히 출입하지 못하였으나 내가 모든 사람을 서로 풀어 주게 하였느니라

8:11 만군의 여호와의 말씀이니라 이제는 내가 이 남은 백성을 대하기를 옛날과 같이 아니할 것인즉

9 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Now hear these words, ‘Let your hands be strong so that the temple may be built.’ This is also what the prophets said who were present when the foundation was laid for the house of the Lord Almighty. 10 Before that time there were no wages for people or hire for animals. No one could go about their business safely because of their enemies, since I had turned everyone against their neighbor. 11 But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as I did in the past,” declares the Lord Almighty.

8:12 곧 평강의 씨앗을 얻을 것이라 포도나무가 열매를 맺으며 땅이 산물을 내며 하늘은 이슬을 내리리니 내가 이 남은 백성으로 이 모든 것을 누리게 하리라

8:13 유다 족속아, 이스라엘 족속아, 너희가 이방인 가운데에서 저주가 되었었으나 이제는 내가 너희를 구원하여 너희가 복이 되게 하리니 두려워하지 말지니라 손을 견고히 할지니라

12 “The seed will grow well, the vine will yield its fruit, the ground will produce its crops, and the heavens will drop their dew. I will give all these things as an inheritance to the remnant of this people. 13 Just as you, Judah and Israel, have been a curse among the nations, so I will save you, and you will be a blessing. Do not be afraid, but let your hands be strong.”

8:14 만군의 여호와가 말하노라 전에 너희 조상들이 나를 격노하게 하였을 때에 내가 그들에게 재앙을 내리기로 뜻하고 뉘우치지 아니하였으나

8:15 이제 내가 다시 예루살렘과 유다 족속에게 은혜를 베풀기로 뜻하였나니 너희는 두려워하지 말지니라

8:16 너희가 행할 일은 이러하니라 너희는 이웃과 더불어 진리를 말하며 너희 성문에서 진실하고 화평한 재판을 베풀고

8:17 마음에 서로 해하기를 도모하지 말며 거짓 맹세를 좋아하지 말라 이 모든 일은 내가 미워하는 것이니라 여호와의 말이니라

14 This is what the Lord Almighty says: “Just as I had determined to bring disaster on you and showed no pity when your ancestors angered me,” says the Lord Almighty, 15 “so now I have determined to do good again to Jerusalem and Judah. Do not be afraid. 16 These are the things you are to do: Speak the truth to each other, and render true and sound judgment in your courts; 17 do not plot evil against each other, and do not love to swear falsely. I hate all this,” declares the Lord.

                  오늘의 말씀인 스가랴서 8장의 말씀은 사실 7장부터 쭉 이어지는 내용입니다. 벧엘 사람들의 금식에 관한 질문에 하나님이 응답하시는 것이지요. 하나님께서는 7-8장까지 총 네 개의 메시지를 전하고 계시는데요. 7장 분량인 어제까지의 말씀은 그 첫 두 개의 메시지를 다루었습니다. 어제까지의 내용이 무엇이었습니까? 주로 유다 백성의 자기중심적 신앙과 불순종을 책망하는 내용이었지요. 그런데 오늘부터 그 흐름이 바뀝니다. 오늘부터 다루게 되는 나머지 두개의 메시지는 유다 백성의 회복에 대한 긍정적인 약속을 담고 있기 때문입니다. 포로 귀환 후 성전 재건을 시작했지만 현실의 어려움과 주변 세력들의 방해로 계속된 좌절을 경험하고 있던 이스라엘에게 “만군의 여호와의 말씀”이 임하였습니다. 그 말씀은 구원과 회복의 말씀이었습니다. 눈 앞의 현실을 마주하며 “하나님의 약속이 과연 이루어질까?” 라고 묻는 그들에게 오늘 본문은 무려 10번 이상이나 “만군의 여호와의 말씀”을 반복하시며 두가지 핵심 메시지를 선포하십니다. 하나는 하나님의 약속의 확실성이며, 다른 하나는 그 약속을 믿고 성실하게 살아야 할 우리의 사명입니다. 그러므로 오늘은 “만군의 여호와께서 이루시리니 너는 손을 견고히 하라”는 제목으로 말씀을 나누기 원합니다.

Today’s passage, Zechariah Chapter 8, is a continuation of the message that began in Chapter 7. It is God’s direct answer to the people of Bethel’s question regarding their fasting practices. Over the course of Chapters 7 and 8, God delivers four distinct messages. Yesterday, we covered the first two, which were primarily messages of rebuke against Judah’s self-centered piety and disobedience.

But today, the tide turns dramatically. The remaining two messages we will address are full of positive promises of restoration and blessing for the people of Judah. The Israelites who had returned from exile had started rebuilding the Temple, yet they were continuously frustrated by hardship, opposition from surrounding nations, and the discrepancy between the grand promises and their grim reality.

To this discouraged community, the “Word of the LORD of Hosts” came. It was a message of salvation and recovery. To those who questioned, "Will God's promises truly come to pass?" the text responds by repeating the phrase "The LORD of Hosts declares" over ten times. This repetition powerfully asserts two core messages: the absolute certainty of God's promise and our solemn duty to live faithfully based on that promise.

Therefore, our message today is titled: “The LORD of Hosts Will Do It: Strengthen Your Hands!”

                  첫번째, 만군의 여호와께서 이루실 것입니다. 오늘 말씀을 관통하고 있는 주제는 바로 “만군의 여호와”입니다. 하나님께서 당신을 지칭하시며 만군의 여호와라고 말씀하십니다. 게다가 한 번이 아니라 10번이 넘게 반복하고 계십니다. 만군의 여호와가 무슨 뜻입니까? 하늘의 모든 군대와 권능을 소유하신 여호와 하나님이시라는 말씀입니다. 그런 하나님께서 친히 하시는 말씀이니 그 말씀은 반드시 이루어 질 것이라는 강력한 보증이 되는 것입니다. 또한 고대 근동에서 신의 이름에 군대가 붙는 것은 그 신의 힘과 능력이 무한함을 나타냅니다. 이는 인간의 힘으로는 이룰 없는 위대한 위업을 이루시는 하나님의 전능하심과 주권을 뜻하는 말이기도 한 것입니다. 그런 하나님께서 말씀하십니다. 2절입니다. “시온을 위해 크게 질투하며 그를 위하여 크게 분노함으로 질투하노라” 만군의 하나님 여호와의 첫번째 말씀입니다. 하나님께서 당신의 백성을 얼마나 극심히 사랑하시는지 그대로 표현되어 있습니다. 그 누구도 당신의 백성을 해치거나 용납하지 않는 절대적인 사랑이며 이 사랑이 앞으로 당신이 이루실 모든 일의 바탕이 되는 근원적인 동기임을 밝히고 계시는 것입니다. 이 사랑으로 하나님께서는 예루살렘의 영광스러운 회복을 말씀하십니다. 3절, 하나님께서 돌아오셔서 다시 예루살렘에 거하시겠다고 하십니다. 이를 진리의 성읍으로 만드시겠다고 약속하십니다. 그리고 이를 만군의 여호와의 산, 성산이라 부르게 될 것이라 말씀하십니다. 하나님의 임재에 대한 약속입니다. 4-6절은 사람의 눈에 기이할 정도의 평화와 안식에 대해 말씀하십니다. 노인들이 길거리에 다시 앉을 것이라고 하십니다. 그리고 그 거리에 아이들이 가득하여 뛰놀 것이라는 말씀을 하십니다. 이 얼마나 안식과 평화가 가득한 풍경인지요. 아무런 위협이 없습니다. 저희는 아파트에 살고 있는데요. 우연히도 저희 집 앞에 아파트 놀이터가 있습니다. 그래서 학교가 끝나는 시간부터 저녁시간까지 아이들 뛰노는 소리가 들리는데요. 시끄러울 수도 있는데 오히려 이 우울한 시애틀 날씨에 그 아이들이 뛰노는 소리가 얼마나 사람 사는 것 같은 느낌을 주는지 모릅니다. 저만 해도 그런데 폐허 가운데에서 도시 재건에 반복되는 좌절을 경험하고 있는 유다 사람들에게는 얼마나 기적과 같은 풍경일까요? 심지어 백성의 눈에는 기이할 것이라고 말씀하고 계십니다. 그런 그들에게 7-8절의 말씀은 만군의 여호와의 구원과 회복을 말씀하십니다. 7절은 구원을, 8절은 하나님의 임재로 그들은 하나님의 백성이 되고 하나님께서는 공의와 진리로 그들의 하나님이 되어주시는 회복이 일어날 것임을 선포하고 계십니다. 그들의 현실은 황폐하고 절망적이었지만 만군의 여호와께서 말씀하신 이 모든 기이한 것들은 반드시 이루어질 것입니다. 그것을 믿는 우리는 이제 그 약속 위에서 하나님의 뜻을 이루는 삶에 힘써야 할 것입니다.

1. The LORD of Hosts Will Fulfill the Promise

The governing theme of our passage is the name “The LORD of Hosts” (). God refers to Himself using this title, not once, but over ten times.

What does The LORD of Hosts mean? It means the LORD God who possesses all the armies and power of heaven. Since the Lord who speaks is the sovereign commander of the universe, His words are an unbreakable guarantee that everything He promises will certainly come true. In the Ancient Near East, affixing "Host" or "Army" to a deity's name signified the limitless nature of their power and ability—the very omnipotence and sovereignty of God to accomplish great feats that are utterly impossible for human strength.

This God begins by declaring His passion: Verse 2: “Thus says the LORD of Hosts: I am jealous for Zion with great jealousy, and with great wrath I am jealous for her.”

This is the first message from the LORD of Hosts. It expresses how intensely God loves His people. It is an absolute love that will not tolerate anyone harming them, and it is the fundamental motivation for all the marvelous works He is about to accomplish.

Motivated by this love, God promises the glorious restoration of Jerusalem:

·       In Verse 3, God promises to return and dwell in Jerusalem again. He promises to make it the City of Truth, and His mountain—Mount Zion—will be called the Holy Mountain of the LORD of Hosts. This is a promise of God’s Immanuel presence.

·       Verses 4-6 speak of a peace and rest so profound that it will be “marvelous in the sight of the remnant” (v. 6). The streets will again be filled with elderly men and women sitting peacefully, and young boys and girls playing safely. What a picture of rest and peace! In the dreary weather of Seattle, or any city plagued by anxiety, the sound of children playing safely brings such a genuine sense of life. To the people of Judah, experiencing repeated failure in their rebuilding efforts, this was truly a miraculous vision.

·       Finally, Verses 7-8 proclaim the LORD’s ultimate salvation and restoration. He will save His people from both East and West (v. 7), and by His presence, “they shall be my people, and I will be their God, in faithfulness and in righteousness” (v. 8).

Though their reality was desolate and despairing, the LORD of Hosts has spoken. These marvelous things will surely be accomplished. With this assurance, we who believe must now exert ourselves in living a life that fulfills God’s will upon this unshakable foundation of His promise.

                  그래서 두번째, 만군의 하나님께서 우리에게 손을 견고히 하라고 말씀하십니다. 9절입니다. 함께 읽겠습니다. “만군의 여호와가 이같이 말하노라 만군의 여호와의 집 곧 성전을 건축하려고 그 지대를 쌓던 날에 있었던 선지자들의 입의 말을 이 날에 듣는 너희는 손을 견고히 할지어다” 이제 하나님께서는 성전 재건을 시작한 사람들에게 “손을 견고히 할지니라”고 명령하십니다. 그러나 하나님께서 이 명령을 하시는 것은 지친 이들에게 더 열심히 일하라고 다그치는 말씀이 아니었습니다. 하나님께서는 이들이 무엇을 겪고 있는지, 또 어떤 어려움에 좌절하였었는지 다 알고 계셨습니다. 10-12절의 말씀이 바로 그것입니다. “이 날 전에는” 삯을 얻지 못하고 원수 때문에 평안히 출입도 못하였었다고 합니다. 11절 그러나 “이제는,” 옛날과 같이 아니할 것인즉 12절, “내가 이 남은 백성으로 이 모든 것을 누리게 하리라.” 하나님께서 너희들이 이전에 겪었던 어려움이 무엇이었는지 그것이 왜 그랬던 것인지 이유를 설명해주시고 이제는 옛날과 같이 아니하시겠다고 하십니다. 그렇기 때문에 이제 하나님께서 손을 견고히 하라고 하시는 말씀이 이 말씀을 듣는 이들에게 희망이 되는 것입니다. 상황이 바뀐 것입니다. 예전에는 마치 저주받은 것 마냥 되는 일이 없었는데 하나님께서 그들로 복이 되게 하신다는 것입니다. 이 약속을 하시면서 손을 견고히 하라고 명령하시면 우리는 더이상 실패를 두려워할 필요가 없습니다. 말씀대로 순종하면 이루어질 것이기 때문입니다. 13절입니다. 함께 읽겠습니다. “유다 족속아, 이스라엘 족속아, 너희가 이방인 가운데에서 저주가 되었었으나 이제는 내가 너희를 구원하여 너희가 복이 되게 하리니 두려워하지 말지니라 손을 견고히 할지니라” 하나님께서 이루실 것이라는 믿음이 있기에 우리는 다시 일어나 힘을 내서 이 하루를 또 살아갈 수 있는 것입니다. 여기서 두려워 하지 말라는 말씀을 15절에서 다시 한번 말씀하십니다. 14절과 15절은 앞의 말씀의 반복입니다. 14절에서 그들의 조상들이 범죄하였던 전에는 하나님께서 격노하셨었으나, 15절, “이제는” 은혜를 베풀기로 뜻하였으니 두려워하지 말라고 하시는 것입니다. 마지막 16-17절은 하나님께서 약속하신 복을 누릴 자들이 마땅히 행해야 할 일들에 대해서 분명히 말씀하십니다. 그것은 무엇입니까? “진리를 말하며, 진실하고 화평한 재판을 베풀고, 마음에 서로 해하기를 도모하지 말며, 거짓 맹세를 좋아하지 않는 것” 하나님께서는 이것이 당신이 미워하는 것이라고 말씀하십니다. 하나님께서 명령하신 손을 견고히 한다는 것은 성전을 건축하는 종교적인 행위뿐만 아니라, 일상생활 속에서 진리와 공의를 실천하는 것입니다. 하나님께서 그들에게 은혜 베풀기를 뜻하신 것처럼 우리도 다른 사람들에게 은혜 베풀기를 뜻하여야 하는 것입니다. 그것이 하나님이 명령하신 손을 견고히 하는 것입니다.

2. Strengthen Your Hands!

Therefore, secondly, the LORD of Hosts commands us to strengthen our hands. Verse 9: “Thus says the LORD of Hosts: Let your hands be strong, you who in these days have been hearing these words from the mouth of the prophets who laid the foundation for the house of the LORD of Hosts, that the temple might be built.”

God commands those who began rebuilding the Temple: “Strengthen your hands!”

However, this is not a harsh command to work harder, but one of hope and comfort. God knows exactly what they have been through and why they were discouraged. Verses 10-12 explain their past misery: “Before those days,” there was no gain, and no safety due to enemies (v. 10). But Verse 11 introduces a sharp contrast: “But now I will not deal with the remnant of this people as in the former days, declares the LORD of Hosts.” Verse 12 promises that the remnant will enjoy all these blessings.

God explains that the situation has radically changed. Before, they were like people under a curse, facing failure at every turn. But now, God promises to make them a blessing. This promise is the basis for the command, "Strengthen your hands!" With this assurance, we no longer need to fear failure, for what God promises, He will bring to completion.

Verse 13 beautifully summarizes this shift: “Just as you were a curse among the nations, O house of Judah and house of Israel, so will I save you, and you shall be a blessing. Fear not, but let your hands be strong!”

This belief that God will do it is what empowers us to rise and face the day with renewed strength. The command “Fear not” is repeated in Verse 15. God clarifies His resolve: just as He was angry because of their ancestors' sins (v. 14), “so again have I purposed in these days to bring good fortune to Jerusalem and to the house of Judah; fear not” (v. 15).

Finally, Verses 16-17 clearly state the actions required of those who will receive this blessing. What are they? “Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates judgments that are true and make for peace; do not devise evil in your hearts against one another; and love no false oath.” God declares that these are the things He hates.

Strengthening your hands involves not just the religious act of building the Temple, but also the daily practice of truth and righteousness in everyday life. Just as God purposed to bestow favor upon them, we, too, must purpose to show favor and justice to others. This is what it means to strengthen your hands in obedience to God.

                  말씀을 맺습니다. 만군의 여호와께서는 우리의 구원과 회복을 열정적으로 약속하시고 전능하신 능력으로 반드시 이루실 것입니다. 우리는 이 확실한 하나님의 약속을 믿어야 합니다. 더이상 우리의 현실의 어려움 때문에 좌절하거나 무력감에 빠지지 말아야 합니다. 하나님께서 이제는 내가 너희를 구원하여 복이 되게 하리니 두려워하지 말지니라 손을 견고히 할지니라 라고 명령하십니다. 이제는 상황이 바뀌었습니다. 이 말씀을 의지하여 다시금 오늘 하루에 하나님의 진실과 화평을 이루는 삶을 사시기를 주님의 이름으로 축원합니다.

Conclusion

The LORD of Hosts passionately promises our salvation and restoration and will certainly fulfill it by His almighty power. We must firmly believe in this certain promise of God. We must no longer sink into discouragement or apathy because of our present difficulties.

God commands us: “I will save you, and you shall be a blessing. Fear not, but let your hands be strong!”

The situation has changed! Relying on this powerful word, may you rise up today and live a life marked by God’s truth, justice, and peace. Amen.