20260826 [새벽묵상] 자기 백성을 보호하시는 하나님의 울타리 God's Fence That Protects His People (겔/Ezk 46:16~24)

46:16 주 여호와께서 이같이 말씀하셨느니라 군주가 만일 한 아들에게 선물을 준즉 그의 기업이 되어 그 자손에게 속하나니 이는 그 기업을 이어 받음이어니와

46:17 군주가 만일 그 기업을 한 종에게 선물로 준즉 그 종에게 속하여 희년까지 이르고 그 후에는 군주에게로 돌아갈 것이니 군주의 기업은 그 아들이 이어 받을 것임이라

46:18 군주는 백성의 기업을 빼앗아 그 산업에서 쫓아내지 못할지니 군주가 자기 아들에게 기업으로 줄 것은 자기 산업으로만 할 것임이라 백성이 각각 그 산업을 떠나 흩어지지 않게 할 것이니라

16 “‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: If the prince makes a gift from his inheritance to one of his sons, it will also belong to his descendants; it is to be their property by inheritance. 17 If, however, he makes a gift from his inheritance to one of his servants, the servant may keep it until the year of freedom; then it will revert to the prince. His inheritance belongs to his sons only; it is theirs. 18 The prince must not take any of the inheritance of the people, driving them off their property. He is to give his sons their inheritance out of his own property, so that not one of my people will be separated from their property.’”

46:19 그 후에 그가 나를 데리고 문 곁 통행구를 통하여 북쪽을 향한 제사장의 거룩한 방에 들어가시니 그 방 뒤 서쪽에 한 처소가 있더라

46:20 그가 내게 이르시되 이는 제사장이 속건제와 속죄제 희생제물을 삶으며 소제 제물을 구울 처소니 그들이 이 성물을 가지고 바깥뜰에 나가면 백성을 거룩하게 할까 함이니라 하시고

19 Then the man brought me through the entrance at the side of the gate to the sacred rooms facing north, which belonged to the priests, and showed me a place at the western end. 20 He said to me, “This is the place where the priests are to cook the guilt offering and the sin offering[e] and bake the grain offering, to avoid bringing them into the outer court and consecrating the people.”

46:21 나를 데리고 바깥뜰로 나가서 나를 뜰 네 구석을 지나가게 하시는데 본즉 그 뜰 매 구석에 또 뜰이 있는데

46:22 뜰의 네 구석 안에는 집이 있으니 길이는 마흔 척이요 너비는 서른 척이라 구석의 네 뜰이 같은 크기며

46:23 그 작은 네 뜰 사방으로 돌아가며 부엌이 있고 그 사방 부엌에 삶는 기구가 설비되었는데

46:24 그가 내게 이르시되 이는 삶는 부엌이니 성전에서 수종드는 자가 백성의 제물을 여기서 삶을 것이니라 하시더라

21 He then brought me to the outer court and led me around to its four corners, and I saw in each corner another court. 22 In the four corners of the outer court were enclosed courts, forty cubits long and thirty cubits wide; each of the courts in the four corners was the same size. 23 Around the inside of each of the four courts was a ledge of stone, with places for fire built all around under the ledge. 24 He said to me, “These are the kitchens where those who minister at the temple are to cook the sacrifices of the people.”

                집이 없는 사람은 참 서럽습니다. 물론 집이 있으신 분들도 애환이 있으시고 또 그게 은행 집이지 자기 집이냐 말씀하실 수 있지요. 그러나 저도 20년 미국 생활내내 집 없이 렌트로 살아가다보니 집 없는 사람의 마음이 제게는 조금 더 가까운 것 같습니다. 매 해 집주인이 월세를 올릴 때마다 이번엔 또 얼마나 올렸나 이사를 가야 하나 가슴이 두근두근하지요. 비즈니스 하시는 분들도 마찬가지겠지요. 건물주가 임대료를 올린다고 하면 그렇지 않아도 불경기라 어려운데 이걸 어떻게 해야 하나 고민이 될 수 밖에 없습니다. 지금 이스라엘 백성들도 자기 집이나 땅 없이 남의 나라에 얹혀살고 있습니다. 서럽지요. 그런 그들에게 오늘의 말씀은 하나님이 약속하시는 새 이스라엘의 모습을 보여주십니다. 특별히 새로운 왕의 토지 상속 규례를 말씀하시는데 그 이유를 이렇게 말씀하고 계십니다. “백성이 각각 그 산업을 떠나 흩어지지 않게 할 것이니라” 이 말씀이 얼마나 그들에게 위로가 될까요? 그들에게 말씀하시는 것입니다. ‘너희가 지금은 비록 너희의 땅을 떠나 흩어져 있지만 내가 너희를 보호하겠다. 그리고 다시는 너희를 지금처럼 내버려두지 않겠다.’  오늘은 “자기 백성을 보호하시는 하나님의 울타리”라는 제목으로 말씀을 전하기 원합니다.

Introduction

Living without a place to call home is deeply heartbreaking. Of course, homeowners face their own struggles—often joking that the house belongs to the bank rather than themselves. Yet, after living in the United States on rent for 20 years, my heart naturally turns toward those without a home of their own. Every year, when the landlord raises the rent, my heart beats fast, wondering: How much did it go up this time? Do we have to move again? Business owners experience the exact same anxiety. When a landlord increases lease payments during a tough economy, it leaves you wondering how to survive.

Currently, the people of Israel are living in a foreign land as exiles, stripped of their homes and property. How grievous their situation is! Yet, today’s text reveals the picture of the new Israel promised by God. Specifically, He gives regulations regarding the prince’s land inheritance, stating the ultimate purpose: "so that my people will not be propertyless and scattered."

What immense comfort this brought to their hearts! God was saying to them: “Though you are currently scattered without land, I will protect you. I will never leave you abandoned like this again.”

Today, I would like to share a message titled: “God’s Fence That Protects His People.”

                  오늘 말씀은 크게 두가지를 다루고 있습니다. 하나는 왕의 토지 상속 규례이고 나머지 하나는 성전 부엌의 규례입니다. 먼저 앞에서 언급한 왕의 토지 상속 규례를 보시겠습니다. 16-17절까지의 말씀은 한마디로 ‘왕가의 유산은 왕가의 것이다’ 로 표현할 수 있겠습니다. 무슨 말인가? 16절, 왕이 자기 아들에게 유산을 준다면 이는 그 왕자의 유산이 되어 대대로 이어집니다. 자, 그런데 17절을 보면 왕이 자기의 신하에게 유산을 선물로 준다면 그것은 희년에 반드시 왕에게로 돌아오게 됩니다. 여기까지만 보면 하나님께서 왕가의 유산만을 지켜주시는 것처럼 보일 수 있습니다. 그런데 재미있는 것은 18절입니다. 하나님의 진짜 의도가 여기서 드러나기 때문입니다. 그것은 ‘백성의 유산 또한 백성의 것’이라는 것입니다. 왕은 첫째로 백성의 유산을 빼앗을 수 없습니다. 둘째로 그들을 그들의 땅에서 쫓아낼 수 없습니다. 자, 이 두가지 조건 때문에 왕이 자신의 아들에게 유산을 줄 때에는 오직 왕가의 유산만을 상속할 수 있습니다. 이것이 무슨 말인가? 하나님께서 백성의 유산을 보호하신다는 것입니다. 그리고 하나님의 약속이 왕의 권한보다 위에 있다는 것입니다. 지금 포로생활을 하고 있는 그들의 상황과 정반대의 메시지이지요. 하나님은 말씀하고 계신 것입니다. 나의 약속이 반드시 지켜질 것이다. 내 약속이 너희들의 눈 앞의 황제보다, 그들의 힘과 능력보다 위에 있다. 그래서 말씀하지 않으십니까? “백성이 각각 그 산업을 떠나 흩어지지 않게 할 것이니라.” 앞에서 왕가의 유산이 신하에게 선물로 주어진다 할지라도 희년에는 다시 왕가로 그 유산이 돌아온다고 말씀을 드렸었습니다. 재미있는 것은 원문에서는 희년이라는 단어를 쓰지 않고 ‘자유의 해’ 라는 단어를 쓰고 있다는 것입니다. 희년의 유래는 레위기 25:10, 50년마다 “자유를 공포하라 이 해는 너희에게 희년이니” 입니다. 그렇다면 희년이라는 단어를 쓰면 될 텐데 굳이 ‘자유의 해’라고 쓴 이유가 무엇이었을까요? 바로 너희에게 그 자유의 해가 반드시 임하리라 말씀하시는 것이 아니겠습니까?

1. The Prince’s Land Inheritance: Safeguarding the People’s Property (vv. 16–18)

Today’s passage broadly addresses two topics: the prince’s land inheritance regulations and the temple kitchens regulations.

First, verses 16–17 can be summarized as: The royal family’s inheritance belongs to the royal family.

• If the prince gives a gift of land from his inheritance to one of his sons, it belongs to his descendants as an enduring family inheritance (v. 16).

• However, if he gives a gift from his inheritance to one of his servants, it belongs to the servant only until the Year of Liberty, after which it reverts back to the prince (v. 17).

At first glance, it might seem that God is only protecting the royal family’s wealth. But verse 18 reveals God’s true intent: The people’s inheritance also belongs to the people.

The prince is strictly forbidden from confiscating the people’s property or driving them off their land. Because of this boundary, when the prince grants an inheritance to his sons, he can only draw from his own property. God actively guards the inheritance of His people! His promise stands firm above the power and authority of any earthly ruler.

This was a message completely opposite to their current reality of exile. God was declaring: “My promise will surely be fulfilled. My word stands above the power of earthly emperors.” Therefore, He repeats: "so that none of my people will be separated from their property."

Notice also that the text uses the phrase “Year of Liberty” instead of simply "Jubilee." Leviticus 25:10 defines Jubilee as the 50th year to "proclaim liberty throughout the land." Why did Ezekiel specifically emphasize "Year of Liberty"? It was a prophetic guarantee to the exiles: The Year of Liberty will surely come upon you!

                19-24절의 말씀도 마찬가지입니다. 하나님께서는 먼저 19-20절의 말씀을 통해 제사장 전용 부엌에 대해 말씀하십니다. 북쪽을 향한 제사장들의 거룩한 방에 들어갔는데 그 방 뒤 서쪽에 부엌이 있었습니다. 이 제사장들의 거룩한 방은 지성물, 즉 소제와 속죄제와 속건제의 제물들을 보관하는 곳이며 거룩한 제사장 의복을 갈아입는 곳이기도 합니다. 또 여기서 그 지성물들을 먹는 곳이기도 하지요. 그 방 뒤 서쪽에 있는 부엌도 마찬가지입니다. 이곳은 앞에서 말씀드린 그 지성물들을 요리하는 곳입니다. 그런데 이렇게 제사장들의 거룩한 방과 거룩한 부엌을 다른곳과 구분하신 이유를 뭐라고 설명하십니까? 20절, “그들이 이 성물을 가지고 바깥뜰에 나가면 백성을 거룩하게 할까 함이니라.” 어제도 말씀드렸었지요. 44:19도 같은 말씀을 하십니다 “이는 그 옷으로 백성을 거룩하게 할까 함이라” 백성을 거룩하게 하는 것을 막으려 하신 것입니다. 왜 입니까? 그들이 죽으니까요. 하나님께서 이들의 생명을 보호하시는 것입니다. 그런데 그 뿐만이 아닙니다. 하나님께서는 백성들에게 그들 전용의 부엌을 만들어주셨습니다. 그것이 21-24절까지의 말씀입니다. 거룩한 구역인 안뜰이 아닌 바깥뜰, 그 사방 네 구석에 그들을 위한 뜰과 부엌을 마련해주셨습니다. 24절을 함께 읽겠습니다. “그가 내게 이르시되 이는 삶는 부엌이니 성전에서 수종드는 자가 백성의 제물을 여기서 삶을 것이니라 하시더라” 하나님께서는 제사장들 뿐만 아니라 백성들에게도 부엌을 주셨습니다. 레위인들이 백성의 제물들, 특별히 화목제물들을 이곳에서 요리하게 하셨습니다. 여러분, 화목제는 제단이나 제사장 몫을 제외한 나머지 고기들을 예배자들이 함께 나누어 먹는 제사입니다. 요즘으로 치면 성전 뜰, 교회 마당에서 가족, 이웃들과 함께 식탁교제 BBQ 파티하는거에요. 하나님께서 이들을 보호하실 뿐만 아니라 이들이 당신의 울타리 안에서 충분히 즐기도록 그 길을 열어주신 거에요. 앞에서 말씀드렸던 왕의 토지상속 규례에 대한 말씀도 마찬가지입니다. 비록 하나님이 정해주신 울타리, 즉 왕가의 유산 외에 백성의 유산을 침해해서는 안되지만 왕가의 유산 안에서는 그것을 자신의 자녀에게 선물하던지 자신의 신하 또는 종에게 얼마든지 선물하여 그 나눔의 기쁨을 누릴 수 있습니다. 그렇게 하더라도 그 유산은 ‘자유의 해’에 왕가에 다시 돌아올 것이니 부담도 없지요. 오히려 더욱 자유하게 나눌 수 있을 것입니다. 이것이 바로 자기 백성을 보호하시는 하나님의 울타리인 것입니다. 우리는 그 울타리 안에서 자유함과 기쁨을, 나누는 즐거움을 마음껏 누릴 수 있는 것입니다. 그것이 오늘 하나님께서 이들에게 약속하시는 새 이스라엘인 것입니다.

2. The Temple Kitchens: Protection and Joyful Fellowship (vv. 19–24)

Verses 19–24 turn our attention to the regulations for the temple kitchens.

In verses 19–20, God describes the priests' private kitchen located behind the holy rooms facing north. These holy rooms were used to store the most holy offerings (grain, sin, and guilt offerings), to change sacred garments, and to eat holy meals. The kitchen behind these rooms was specifically used to boil and prepare these most holy sacrifices.

Why did God carefully separate the priests’ rooms and kitchen from the rest of the temple? Verse 20 explains: "so that they do not bring them into the outer court and consecrate the people." Just as in Ezekiel 44:19 ("so that they do not consecrate the people with their garments"), God separates these holy items so that unprepared people are not overwhelmed or harmed by divine holiness. God is protecting their very lives.

Furthermore, God built dedicated kitchens for the ordinary people as well (vv. 21–24). In the four corners of the outer court—the non-priestly area—God prepared courts and kitchens. Verse 24 states:

“He said to me, ‘These are the kitchens where those who minister at the temple shall boil the sacrifices of the people.’”

Here, Levites cooked the people’s offerings, particularly the peace offerings (fellowship offerings). A peace offering was a sacrifice where, after God’s and the priest's portions were set aside, the remaining meat was eaten together by the worshippers. In modern terms, this was like having a church courtyard BBQ party with family and neighbors!

God does not merely protect His people behind a wall of safety; He invites them to enjoy abundant fellowship within His boundaries. The same principle applies to the prince's land: within his assigned boundary, the prince could freely give gifts to his sons or servants to experience the joy of sharing, knowing that in the Year of Liberty, all property boundaries would be restored without loss.

This is God’s protective fence. Within His fence, we enjoy freedom, joy, and the delight of generous fellowship. This was the vision of the new Israel God promised to His exiles.

                말씀을 맺습니다. 우리는 오늘 두가지 규례, 왕의 토지 상속 규례와 성전 부엌의 규례를 보았습니다. 이 두가지 규례에서 우리가 볼 수 있었던 것은 바로 자기 백성을 보호하시는 하나님의 울타리였습니다. 그 울타리는 우리를 보호하십니다. 그리고 우리의 진정한 주인, 그 울타리의 목자가 누구인지 다시금 돌아보게 합니다. 선한 목자의 울타리 아래 편히 쉬며 기쁨을 누리며 자유한 양들처럼 우리 또한 하나님의 울타리 안에서 동일한 기쁨을 누릴 것입니다. 오늘 하루 그 안전한 울타리에서 평안을 누리시는 여러분 되시기를 주님의 이름으로 축원합니다.

Conclusion

Today, we have looked at two distinct regulations: the prince’s land inheritance and the temple kitchens. In both ordinances, we see the protective fence of God placed around His people.

This fence shields us from harm while pointing us back to our true Owner and Shepherd. Just as sheep rest securely and joyfully under the care of a good shepherd, we find true freedom and joy within the boundaries God sets for us.

May you abide safely within His loving fence today and experience His deep peace and joy. Amen.