20260507 [새벽묵상] 쉬지않는 무를자 (Redeemer) The Relentless Redeemer (룻/Ruth 4:1~6)

4:1 보아스가 성문으로 올라가서 거기 앉아 있더니 마침 보아스가 말하던 기업 무를 자가 지 나가는지라 보아스가 그에게 이르되 아무개여 이리로 와서 앉으라 하니 그가 와서 앉으매

[Boaz Marries Ruth]

1 Meanwhile Boaz went up to the town gate and sat down there just as the guardian-redeemer he had mentioned came along. Boaz said, “Come over here, my friend, and sit down.” So he went over and sat down.

4:2 보아스가 그 성읍 장로 열 명을 청하여 이르되 당신들은 여기 앉으라 하니 그들이 앉으매

4:3 보아스가 그 기업 무를 자에게 이르되 모압 지방에서 돌아온 나오미가 우리 형제 엘리멜렉의 소유지를 팔려 하므로

4:4 내가 여기 앉은 이들과 내 백성의 장로들 앞에서 그것을 사라고 네게 말하여 알게 하려 하였노라 만일 네가 무르려면 무르려니와 만일 네가 무르지 아니하려거든 내게 고하여 알게 하라 네 다음은 나요 그 외에는 무를 자가 없느니라 하니 그가 이르되 내가 무르리라 하는지라

2 Boaz took ten of the elders of the town and said, “Sit here,” and they did so. 3 Then he said to the guardian-redeemer, “Naomi, who has come back from Moab, is selling the piece of land that belonged to our relative Elimelek. 4 I thought I should bring the matter to your attention and suggest that you buy it in the presence of these seated here and in the presence of the elders of my people. If you will redeem it, do so. But if you[b] will not, tell me, so I will know. For no one has the right to do it except you, and I am next in line.”

“I will redeem it,” he said.

4:5 보아스가 이르되 네가 나오미의 손에서 그 밭을 사는 날에 곧 죽은 자의 아내 모압 여인 룻에게서 사서 그 죽은 자의 기업을 그의 이름으로 세워야 할지니라 하니

5 Then Boaz said, “On the day you buy the land from Naomi, you also acquire Ruth the Moabite, the dead man’s widow, in order to maintain the name of the dead with his property.”

4:6 그 기업 무를 자가 이르되 나는 내 기업에 손해가 있을까 하여 나를 위하여 무르지 못하노니 내가 무를 것을 네가 무르라 나는 무르지 못하겠노라 하는지라

6 At this, the guardian-redeemer said, “Then I cannot redeem it because I might endanger my own estate. You redeem it yourself. I cannot do it.”

오늘 본문에서, 그리고 룻기 전체를 관통하고 있는 단어는 바로 “무르다” 라는 단어일 것입니다. “기업 무를자”의 제도에서 결국 그가 해야 할 일은 무르는 일입니다. 오늘 말씀 4절에서도 “네가 무르려면 무르려니와 만일 네가 무르지 아니하려거든…” 하면서 이 단어가 계속 등장하고 있지요. 그냥 ‘사다’ 또는 ‘구원하다’ 같은 단어를 사용하지 않고 ‘무르다’ 라는 단어를 사용하여 번역한 이유가 무엇일까요? 그것은 바로 ‘무르다’ 의 뜻에 있습니다. 국어 사전을 찾아보니 ‘무르다’ 는 “이미 벌어진 일이나 거래를 없었던 상태로 되돌리다”라는 뜻입니다. 그래서 “물건 사놓고 무르기 있기 없기?” 같은 말을 하는 것이지요. ‘사다’ 라고 하면 새로운 소유권을 가져오는 느낌이지만, ‘무르다’ 는 “원래 주인의 것이었던 상태로 복구시킨다” 는 회복의 개념을 가장 잘 담아내기 때문입니다. 이것이 룻기와 이어지면 ‘무르다’ 는 단어는 “가문의 끊어진 대를 다시 잇기 위해 거래를 취소시키고 되찾아온다”는 개념이 살아나는 것이지요. 그래서 ‘기업을 무른다’고 하면 “하나님이 주신 원래의 분깃을 지켜낸다” 는 뜻이 되는 것입니다. 아주 탁월한 번역인 것이지요. 오늘은 “쉬지않는 무를자” 라는 제목으로 말씀을 나누기 원합니다.

            [Introduction: The Meaning of "Redeem"]

In today’s text, and indeed throughout the entire Book of Ruth, the word that pierces through the narrative is “Redeem” (Mu-reu-da in Korean). In the system of the “Kinsman Redeemer,” the ultimate task is to redeem. In verse 4 of today’s passage, this word appears repeatedly: “If you will redeem it, redeem it. But if you will not redeem it…” Why did the translators choose the Korean word “Mu-reu-da” instead of simply saying “buy” or “save”? The reason lies in its specific nuance. In the dictionary, to “redeem/undo” (Mu-reu-da) means “to return a finished event or transaction back to its original state as if it never happened.” It’s like the common Korean saying, “No take-backs after buying!”

While the word “buy” gives the impression of acquiring new ownership, “redeem” best captures the concept of restoration—restoring something to the status of its original owner. When applied to Ruth, it means canceling the transaction of loss and bringing back the family line to continue what was cut off. Therefore, to “redeem a heritage” means to “protect the original portion given by God.” It is truly a profound translation. Today, I want to share a message titled: “The Relentless Redeemer.”

            어제 본문에서 나오미가 말했던 것처럼 보아스는 쉬지않고 이 일에 매진합니다. 먼저 보아스는 밤의 밀회에서 시작된 이 일을 한 개인의 일로 조용히 끝내는 것이 아니라 공론화 시킵니다. 그래서 1절에 보아스는 성문으로 올라갑니다. 이 당시의 성문은 단순한 출입구가 아니었습니다. 판결이나 거래가 이루어지는 공적인 공간이었습니다. 그가 이렇게 행하였던 것은 ‘기업 무를 자’ 제도가 개인의 선의나 열정에 의해 임의로 수행되는 것이 아니라 공동체가 함께 확인하고 승인하는 법적인 책임임을 드러내는 것이지요. 이방 여인이었던 룻이 유대 공동체 안으로 들어오는 일은 보아스 개인의 사적인 감정으로 이루어졌던 것이 아니라는 것입니다. 공적인 절차와 합법적인 결정을 통해 모두가 볼 수 있는 곳에서 모두의 인정을 받아 이루어진 일임을 드러내고 있는 것이지요. 보십시오 보아스가 말했던 기업 무를 자가 지나가자 보아스는 그를 불러 세워서 이리로 와서 앉으라고 청합니다. 그리고 나서 보아스는 성읍 장로 열 명 또한 청하여 그들도 여기 앉으라고 하지요. 1-3절까지 행동을 시작하는 사람은 모두 보아스입니다. “보아스가 성문으로 올라가서,” “보아스가 그에게 이르되,” “보아스가 그 성읍 장로 열 명을 청하여” “보아스가 그 기업 무를자에게 이르되” 모두 보아스이지요. 보아스는 이 일에 완전히 매진되었습니다. 쉬지 않고 룻의 기업의 상황을 물려주기 위해 일하고 있는 것입니다. 그리고 그는 이것을 공론화 시켜서 더이상 룻이 이방인으로서가 아니라 유대 공동체의 일원으로 살아갈 수 있도록 모두가 알게 하는 것입니다.

[1. A Public Responsibility, Not a Private Affair]

As Naomi mentioned yesterday, Boaz relentlessly pursues this matter. First, Boaz does not end this as a private affair that started with a midnight encounter; he brings it into the public eye. In verse 1, Boaz goes up to the city gate. In those days, the city gate was not just an entrance; it was a public space where judgments and transactions took place.

By doing this, Boaz demonstrates that the “Kinsman Redeemer” system is not carried out arbitrarily by personal goodwill or passion, but is a legal responsibility confirmed and approved by the community. Ruth’s integration into the Judean community was not based on Boaz’s private feelings. It happened through a public process and a legal decision, recognized by everyone in a place where all could see.

Notice that as soon as the closer redeemer passes by, Boaz calls him to sit down. Then, he summons ten elders of the city to sit there as well. From verses 1 to 3, Boaz is the prime mover of every action: “Boaz went up to the gate,” “Boaz said to him,” “Boaz took ten men of the elders,” “Boaz said to the redeemer.” Boaz is completely committed. He is working without rest to restore Ruth’s heritage. He makes this public so that Ruth will no longer live as a foreigner, but as a full member of the Judean community.

             두번째, 보아스는 룻을 자신이 취하기 위해서가 아니라 룻의 기업 무를 자를 찾기 위해 쉬지 않습니다. 3-4절은 보아스가 이름이 나오지 않는 기업 무를 자에게 그 용건을 설명하는 장면입니다. 우리는 여기서 보아스가 자신이 직접 룻을 취하기 위해 이 일을 추진하고 있는 것이 아님을 볼 수 있습니다. 그랬다면 처음부터 상대가 감당하기 어려운 이야기를 했을 것입니다. 그런데 보아스는 기업 무를 자의 역할을 이 사람이 감당할 수 있을 만큼만 이야기합니다. 이는 보아스의 목적이 룻을 자신이 취하는 것이 아니라 룻의 기업을 무를 자를 찾는 것에 있음을 보여주는 것이지요. “모압 지방에서 돌아온 나오미가 우리 형제 엘리멜렉의 소유지를 팔려하므로…그것을 사라고 네게 말하여 알게 하려 하였노라” 보아스는 ‘우리 형제’ 라는 표현을 사용해서 이 일이 친족 사이의 책임임을 언급하고 있습니다. 이것은 형제인 우리의 의무다. 우리는 마땅히 어려운 상황 가운데 있는 친족을 도와야하지 않겠냐. 그 땅 값을 지불하는 손해를 우리가 감당하는 것이 형제된 책임이 아니냐 하는 것이지요. 그 이야기를 듣고 이 사람은 “내가 무르리라”고 대답합니다. 바로 그때 보아스가 계약서의 작은 글씨들에 대해서 언급합니다. 왜 있지 않습니까? 정작 중요한 사실은 계약서 밑에 깨알 같은 글씨로 적혀있는 것들 말입니다. 그런데 “그 밭을 사는 날에 곧 죽은 자의 아내 모압 여인 룻에게서 사서 그 죽은 자의 기업을 그의 이름으로 세워야 할지니라” 이 말을 듣자 그 사람이 “나는 내 기업에 손해가 있을까 하여 나를 위하여 무르지 못하노니”라고 대답합니다. 엘리멜렉이 팔아버린 땅. 그 땅 값을 자신이 지불해서 원래 주인의 것으로 다시 무르는 일. 이것은 일시적인 금전적 손해이지요. 그런데 룻을 취하여 자식을 낳게되면 그 아이는 룻의 원래 남편이었던 말론의 대를 잇게됩니다. 그런데 그러면 문제가 생기는데 이 사람이 나중에 자식들에게 유산을 물려줄 때에 룻의 아이에게 물려주는 재산은 내 자손들의 것이 되는 것이 아니라 말론 자손들의 것이 되어버립니다. 이것은 그저 값을 한 번 치루는 정도가 아니라 대대손손 영구적인 손해가 되는 것입니다. 그래서 그는 이 제안을 바로 거절하는 것입니다. 그런데 보아스는 이 모든 사실을 알고도 그 기업 무를 자의 의무를 피하지 않습니다.

[2. The Cost of Redemption and Boaz’s Integrity]

Second, Boaz is relentless not because he wants to seize Ruth for himself, but because he is seeking the rightful redeemer for her. Verses 3–4 show Boaz explaining the situation to the unnamed closer redeemer. We see here that Boaz isn't initially pushing his own agenda to take Ruth. If he were, he would have started with the most difficult terms. Instead, Boaz presents the redeemer’s role in a way that the man could potentially handle. This shows Boaz’s primary goal was simply to find a redeemer for Ruth’s heritage.

He uses the expression “our brother” when speaking of Elimelek, emphasizing that this is a responsibility among kin. He is saying, “This is our duty as brothers. Should we not help a relative in distress? Isn't it our responsibility to bear the loss of paying for that land?” Hearing this, the man replies, “I will redeem it.”

But right then, Boaz mentions the “fine print” of the contract. You know how it is—the most important details are often hidden in tiny letters at the bottom. Boaz says, “The day you buy the field... you also acquire Ruth the Moabite, the widow of the dead, in order to perpetuate the name of the dead in his inheritance.” Upon hearing this, the man responds, “I cannot redeem it for myself, lest I impair my own inheritance.” Paying for Elimelek’s sold land is a temporary financial loss. However, if he takes Ruth and has a child, that child will carry on the line of Mahlon (Ruth’s late husband). This creates a permanent problem: the inheritance given to Ruth’s child would not belong to this man’s own descendants but to Mahlon’s. This isn't just a one-time payment; it is a permanent loss for his own estate through the generations. So, he immediately refuses. Yet Boaz, knowing all these facts, does not avoid the duty of the redeemer.

            말씀을 맺습니다. 보아스는 쉬지않고 룻의 기업 무를 자를 찾아주기 위해 성문으로 올라갔습니다. 그것은 자신의 이득을 취하려 했던 것이 아니고 무너진 나오미와 룻의 삶을 원래대로 돌리기 위함이었습니다. 잃어버린 것을 원래대로 되돌리는 ‘무름’의 은혜는 바로 이런 자기희생을 통해 세상에 흘러갑니다. 오늘 우리도 내 이웃의 잃어버린 안식을 되찾아 주는 일에 힘썼으면 좋겠습니다. 그래서 우리를 통해 일하시는 하나님의 신실하신 사랑이 그들의 실수와 고통으로 얼룩진 과거를 다시 원래의 상태로 무르시는 일들이 일어나기를 축복합니다.

[Conclusion: Restoring the Broken]

In conclusion: Boaz went up to the gate relentlessly to find a redeemer for Ruth. His aim was not personal gain, but to return the broken lives of Naomi and Ruth back to their original state.

The grace of “redemption”—of restoring what was lost—flows into the world precisely through this kind of self-sacrifice. I hope that today, we too will strive to restore the lost "rest" of our neighbors. I pray and bless you, that through us, the faithful love of God may work to "redeem" the pasts of others—pasts stained by mistakes and pain—and restore them to the state of grace God originally intended.

Amen.