메시아 등장을 암시한 민수기 24장

민수기 24장은 하나님의 뜻이 인간의 의도나 계획보다 훨씬 강력한 힘을 발휘한다는 것을 다시금 깨닫게 하는 내용입니다. 뭔가 절대적인 존재는 인간 세계의 무속을 능가하는 교훈을 준다고나 할까요?

 

발람의 각성?

1. When Balaam saw that it pleased the Lord to bless Israel, he did not go, as at other times, to look for omens, but set his face towards the wilderness.

2. And Balaam lifted up his eyes and saw Israel camping tribe by tribe. And the Sprit of God came upon him, 3. and he took up his discourse and said, "The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eye is opened, 4. the oracle of him who hears the words of God, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down with his eyes uncovered: 5.How lovely are your tents, O Jacob, your encampments, O Israel!

 

 

타고난 예지 능력으로 인간들에게 점술사로 이름을 떨치던 발람이 하나님의 특별한 능력 혹은 뭔가 영적 깨달음을 얻고 하나님의 말씀을 따르게 된 것으로 보입니다. 발람이 자신의 촉에 의해 신기를 발휘하다 이제는 광야로 나가 하나님의 부르심을 받기 시작한 것으로 보이니까요. 그리고 실제로 하나님의 영이 발람에게 다가가서 어떤 지령을 내렸는데요. 하나님의 영이 어떤 모습으로 임재하였는지는 알 수가 없는 노릇이죠. 보통 하나님의 영은 바람, 구름, 불 같은 초자연적인 현상으로 등장한다고 하는데요. 알 수는 없는 거겠죠.

 

민수기 23장 읽기

되려 이스라엘을 축복하는 발람 민수기 23장 이야기

 

 

 

 이스라엘을 축복하는 발람

 

6. Like palm groves that stretch afar, like gardens beside a river, like aloes that the Lord has planted, like cedar trees beside the waters, 7. Water shall flow from his buckets, and his seed shall be in many waters; his king shall be higher than Agag, and his kingdom shall be exalted. 8. God brings him out of Egypt and is for him like the horns of the wild ox; he shall eat up the nations, his adversaries, and shall break their bones in pieces and pierce them through with his arrows. 9. He crouched, he lay down like a lion and like a lioness; who will rouse him up? Blessed are those who bless you, and cursed are those who curse you." 

 

하나님에게 홀딱 반한 발람은 이제는 거의 추앙과 칭송이 도가 넘쳐 보일 정도입니다. 온갖 미사여구를 써서 하나님과 그의 백성들을 칭찬한 가운데, 이들을 축복하는 자는 복이 있고 저주하는 자는 그 저주를 받을 거라고 하는데요. 

 

 

 발락의 분노

10. And Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he struck his hands together. And Balak said to Balaam, "I called you to curse my enemies, and behold, you have blessed them these three times. 11. Therefore now flee to your own place. I said, 'I will certainly honour you.' but the Lord has held you back from honour." 12. And Balaam said to Balak, "Did I not tell your messengers whom you sent to me, 13. 'If Balak should give me his house full of silver and gold, I would not be able to go beyond the word of the Lord, to do either good or bad of my own will. What the Lord speaks, that will I speak? 14. And now, behold, I am going to my people, Come, I will let you know what this people will do to your people in the latter days."

 

갑자기 태세 전환한 발람을 보며 발락이 열이 안 뻗친 게 이상한 노릇이죠. 분명 저주를 하라고 의뢰를 했건만 웬걸 반대로 축복을 하고 있으니까요. 발락은 분노하면서 발람을 책망했지만 발람은 갑자기 돌변하여 자신은 오직 하나님 말씀만 전할 수 있다고 말하고 있네요.

 

 메시아 등장 암시

 

15. And he took up his discourse and said, "The oracle of Balaam the son of Beor, the oracle of the man whose eye is opened, 16. the oracle of him who hears the words of God, and knows the knowledge of the Most High, who sees the vision of the Almighty, falling down with his eyes uncovered: 17. I see him, but not now; I behold him, but not near: a star shall come out of Jacob, and a sceptre shall rise out of Israel; it shall crush the forehead of Moab and break down all the sons of Sheth. 18. Edom shall be dispossessed; Seir also, his enemies, shall be dispossessed. Israel is doing valiantly. 19. And one from Jacob shall exercise dominion and destroy the survivors of cities!" 20. Then he looked on Amalek and took up his discourse and said, " Amalek was the first among the nations, but its end is utter destruction."

21. And he looked on the Kenite, and took up his discourse and said, "Enduring is your dwelling place, and your nest is set in the rock. 22. Nevertheless, Kain shall be burned when Asshur takes you away captive." 23. And he took up his discourse and said, "Alas, who shall live when God does this? 24. But ships shall come from Kittim and shall afflict Asshur and Eber, and he too shall come to utter destruction.

25. Then Balaam rose and went back to his place. And Balak also went his way.

 

민수기 24장 15절부터는 상당히 의미심장해 보입니다. 야곱에게서 한 별에 나오며 이스라엘에게서 한 규가 일어난다고 하였는데요. 카인의 족속인지 겐 족속인지 멸망을 암시하는데, 결과론적으로 이스라엘 백성은 승리할 것이며 후손 중에 메시아가 나타날 것이며 이들과 적대시하는 민족은 천벌을 받을 거라는 무서운 내용이 등장합니다.