Who was Gideon in the Bible? (Judges 6:11~8:32) 기드온은 누구? (사사기 6:11~8:32)

[이창복]

QUESTION

Who was Gideon in the Bible?

질문
성경에 나오는 기드온은 누구인가요?

ANSWER

Gideon was the fifth judge and renowned as the greatest of Israel. The account of his life is recorded in Judges 6:11—8:32. The backdrop for Gideon’s biography begins with the Israelites being ravaged by the Midianites as a consequence of Israel’s disobedience to God (Judges 6:1). For seven years they faced invasions from the Midianites, Amalekites, and Eastern foreigners who ruined their crops and destroyed their cattle. God’s discipline through the foreign nations caused the Israelites to cry out to God for help (Judges 6:6). God sends them a prophet to remind them of how the one true God had provided for them in the past and how quickly they had forsaken Him (Judges 6:8–10).

답변
기드온은 다섯 번째 사사이며 이스라엘의 가장 위대한 사사로 유명합니다. 그의 생애는 사사기 6:11~8:32에 기록되어 있습니다. 기드온의 전기의 배경은 이스라엘이 하나님께 불순종한 결과 미디안에게 유린당하는 것으로 시작됩니다(사사기 6:1). 이스라엘은 7년 동안 미디안, 아말렉, 동방 이방인들의 침략으로 농작물을 망치고 가축을 멸망시켰습니다. 이방 민족을 통한 하나님의 징계로 인해 이스라엘 백성들은 하나님께 도움을 청하게 됩니다(사사기 6:6). 하나님께서는 선지자를 보내셔서 과거에 유일하신 참 하나님이 그들을 어떻게 인도해 주셨는지, 그리고 그들이 얼마나 빨리 하나님을 버렸는지를 상기시켜 주셨습니다(사사기 6:8-10).

God hears their cries and graciously intervenes to deliver His people. He starts by sending the angel of the Lord to Gideon to call him into service (Judges 6:11–14). Gideon, whose name means “cutter” or “cutter of trees,” belonged to an undistinguished family of the Abiezrites, and he saw himself as unfit for God’s service (Judges 6:15). During his conversation with the angel, it becomes apparent to Gideon that he is speaking to the Lord Himself (verses 14, 16).
하나님은 그들의 부르짖음을 들으시고 은혜롭게 개입하셔서 당신의 백성을 구원하십니다. 먼저 여호와의 천사를 기드온에게 보내 그를 부르십니다(사사기 6:11~14). '나무를 베는 자' 또는 '나무를 자르는 자'라는 뜻의 이름을 가진 기드온은 아비에스르 가문에 속해 있었으며, 스스로를 하나님의 일을 하기에 부적합하다고 여겼습니다(사사기 6:15). 천사와 대화하는 동안 기드온은 자신이 주님 자신과 대화하고 있다는 사실을 깨닫게 됩니다(14, 16절).

But Gideon needed proof positive that it was, in fact, God calling him to the divine task of leading a military force against Midian (Judges 6:17). Gideon asked the angel of the Lord to stay where he was while Gideon went to prepare a meal. Gideon returned with some food, which he set on a rock (verses 19–20). Then God gave a sign: “The angel of the LORD touched the meat and the unleavened bread with the tip of the staff that was in his hand. Fire flared from the rock, consuming the meat and the bread. And the angel of the LORD disappeared” (verse 21). Gideon built an altar in that place and called it “The Lord Is Peace” because he had seen God and did not die (verses 22–24).
하지만 기드온은 미디안을 상대로 군대를 이끌고 싸우는 신성한 임무에 하나님께서 자신을 부르셨다는 확실한 증거가 필요했습니다(사사기 6:17). 기드온은 주님의 천사에게 기드온이 식사를 준비하러 가는 동안 그 자리에 머물러 달라고 부탁했습니다. 기드온은 음식을 가지고 돌아와서 바위 위에 놓았습니다(19-20절). 그러자 하나님께서 계시를 주셨습니다: "여호와의 사자가 손에 들고 있던 지팡이 끝으로 고기와 무교병을 만졌습니다. 반석에서 불이 타오르면서 고기와 빵을 태워 버렸습니다. 그리고 여호와의 사자가 사라졌다"(21절). 기드온은 그 곳에 제단을 쌓고 하나님을 뵙고 죽지 않았기 때문에 "여호와는 평화가시다"라고 불렀습니다(22-24절).

The same night, Gideon destroyed the altar to Baal and the Asherah pole that belonged to his father (Judges 6:25–28). For this bold action, Gideon received the nickname Jerub-Baal, meaning “Let Baal Contend” (verse 32). Later, an alliance of Israel’s enemies entered the land, and “the Spirit of the Lord came on Gideon, and he blew a trumpet, summoning the Abiezrites to follow him” (verse 34). Men from the tribes of Manasseh, Asher, Zebulun, and Naphtali joined Gideon (verse 35).
같은 날 밤, 기드온은 바알의 제단과 그의 아버지에게 속한 아세라 장대를 파괴합니다(사사기 6:25~28). 이 대담한 행동으로 기드온은 "바알과 다투게 하라"는 뜻의 여룹바알이라는 별명을 얻었습니다(32절). 나중에 이스라엘의 적 연합군이 그 땅에 들어왔고, "여호와의 영이 기드온에게 임하여 그가 나팔을 불며 아비에스르 사람들을 불러 그를 따라오게"(34절) 했습니다. 므낫세 지파, 아셀 지파, 스불론 지파, 납달리 지파의 사람들이 기드온과 합류했습니다(35절).

After the troops had been mustered, Gideon grew nervous. He asked God for another sign to confirm‎ his calling. He put out a piece of wool overnight and asked God to make it wet while keeping the surrounding dirt dry. God graciously did as Gideon asked. Then Gideon asked for yet another sign—this time he asked God to keep a fleece dry while making the surrounding dirt wet. Again, God complied, and Gideon was finally convinced that God meant what He said and that, under Gideon’s leadership, the nation of Israel would have victory over Midian (Judges 6:36–40).
군대가 소집된 후 기드온은 초조해졌습니다. 그는 하나님께 자신의 소명을 확인할 수 있는 다른 표적을 달라고 기도했습니다. 기드온은 밤새 양털 한 조각을 내놓고 주변의 흙은 마른 채로 젖게 해달라고 하나님께 간구했습니다. 하나님은 기드온의 요청대로 은혜롭게 이루어 주셨습니다. 그런 다음 기드온은 또 다른 표적을 구했는데, 이번에는 주변의 흙을 젖게 하면서 양털을 마르게 해달라고 하나님께 간구했습니다. 이번에도 하나님은 기드온의 요청을 들어주셨고, 기드온은 마침내 하나님의 말씀이 진심임을 확신하고 기드온의 지도력 아래 이스라엘 민족이 미디안을 상대로 승리할 것이라고 확신하게 됩니다(사사기 6:36~40).

But God was not done increasing Gideon’s faith. Before entering battle, Gideon’s troops numbered 32,000, but in obedience to God, he reduces them by 22,000 (Judges 7:2–3). God further pares down his army, leaving Gideon just 300 men (verses 7–8). This was against an enemy that is described as “thick as locusts” with camels “as countless as the sand on the seashore” (Judges 7:12, BSB). God’s purpose was to prevent Israel from boasting that their own strength had saved them (verse 2).
그러나 하나님은 기드온의 믿음을 키우는 일을 끝내지 않으셨습니다. 전투에 들어가기 전 기드온의 군대는 32,000명이었지만, 하나님에 대한 순종으로 22,000명으로 줄였습니다(사사기 7:2-3). 하나님은 군대를 더 줄여 기드온의 군대는 300명만 남게 하십니다(7-8절). 이는 "메뚜기처럼 굵고" "해변의 모래처럼 무수히 많은"(사사기 7:12, 개역개정) 낙타로 묘사되는 적을 상대하는 것이었습니다. 하나님의 목적은 이스라엘이 자신의 힘이 그들을 구원했다고 자랑하는 것을 막는 것이었습니다(2절).

That night, God sent Gideon into the midst of the Midianite camp. There, Gideon overheard a couple of frightened Midianites discussing a dream that they took to portend disaster for them. Hearing this encouraged Gideon, and he rallied his troops (Judges 7:11, 13–15). Using some unusual tactics, Gideon and his 300 men attacked the Midianite coalition and routed the enemy troops (Judges 7:16–25).
그날 밤, 하나님은 기드온을 미디안 진영 한가운데로 보내셨습니다. 그곳에서 기드온은 겁에 질린 미디안 두 사람이 자신에게 닥칠 재앙을 예고하는 꿈에 대해 이야기하는 것을 우연히 듣게 됩니다. 이 말을 들은 기드온은 용기를 얻어 군대를 소집했습니다(사사기 7:11, 13~15). 기드온과 그의 부하 300명은 특이한 전술을 사용하여 미디안 연합군을 공격하여 적군을 격파했습니다(사사기 7:16-25).

After the victory, the people of Israel wanted to make Gideon their first king, but he demurred, saying, “I will not rule over you, nor will my son rule over you. The Lord will rule over you” (Judges 8:23). The peace won by Gideon lasted for a generation: “During Gideon’s lifetime, the land had peace forty years” (verse 28). On a sadder note, Gideon requested that the troops contribute gold from the plunder of the battle so he could create an “ephod,” which he set up in his hometown (Judges 8:24–26). Whatever Gideon’s intent in fashioning the ephod, the people began to use it for idolatrous purposes, and “it became a snare to Gideon and his family” (verse 27).
승리 후 이스라엘 백성들은 기드온을 초대 왕으로 삼으려 했지만 기드온은 "나는 너희를 다스리지 않을 것이며, 내 아들도 너희를 다스리지 않을 것이다"라며 거절했습니다. 주님께서 너희를 다스리실 것이다."(사사기 8:23). 기드온이 쟁취한 평화는 한 세대 동안 지속되었습니다: "기드온의 생애 동안 그 땅에는 사십 년 동안 평화가 있었다"(28절). 슬프게도 기드온은 전투에서 얻은 전리품으로 '에봇'을 만들어 고향에 세울 수 있도록 군대에 금을 헌납해 달라고 요청했습니다(사사기 8:24~26). 에봇을 만든 기드온의 의도가 무엇이든 간에 백성들은 에봇을 우상 숭배의 목적으로 사용하기 시작했고, "에봇은 기드온과 그의 가족에게 올무가 되었다"(27절).

In accomplishing the mission God set before him, Gideon proves himself to be a faithful man, a mighty warrior, a strong leader (Judges 7:17), and a diplomat (Judges 8:1–3). As such, he is included in a fitting testimonial for the great men of faith in Hebrews 11:32–34.
기드온은 하나님께서 자신에게 주신 사명을 완수함으로써 신실한 사람, 강력한 전사, 강력한 지도자(사사기 7:17), 외교관(사사기 8:1-3)임을 증명합니다. 따라서 그는 히브리서 11장 32~34절에 나오는 믿음의 위인들에 대한 적절한 증언에 포함되어 있습니다.

Gideon’s faith seemed to be weak at times, but God patiently worked with him and strengthened his faith to the point that he could carry out God’s mission. Gideon’s obedience to the Lord required him to take a stand against his own father and his own tribe. He feared what would happen when he tore down his father’s idol (Judges 6:24), but it is evident he feared God much more.
기드온의 믿음은 때때로 약해 보였지만, 하나님께서는 인내심을 가지고 그와 함께 일하셨고 하나님의 사명을 수행할 수 있을 정도로 믿음을 강화시켜 주셨습니다. 기드온은 주님께 순종하기 위해 자기 아버지와 자기 지파에 맞서 싸워야 했습니다. 그는 아버지의 우상을 무너뜨렸을 때 어떤 일이 일어날지 두려워했지만(사사기 6:24), 하나님을 훨씬 더 두려워했던 것이 분명합니다.

In battle Gideon took on far greater odds than seemed possible, but he knew where his strength lay (see Philippians 4:13). The sovereign God is faithful, and He saw Gideon through the battle to victory. Gideon also showed humility when the Israelites wanted to honor him as their king. He is a good example of those who obey the command to “trust the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight” (Proverbs 3:5–6).
기드온은 전투에서 생각보다 훨씬 더 큰 어려움을 겪었지만, 자신의 힘이 어디에 있는지 알고 있었습니다(빌립보서 4:13 참조). 주권자이신 하나님은 신실하시며 기드온이 전투에서 승리할 수 있도록 지켜보셨습니다. 기드온은 또한 이스라엘 백성들이 그를 왕으로 추대하고자 할 때 겸손함을 보였습니다. 그는 "너는 마음을 다하여 여호와를 신뢰하고 네 명철을 의지하지 말라 네 모든 길에서 그를 인정하라 그리하면 네 길을 평탄케 하리라"(잠언 3:5-6)는 명령에 순종하는 사람들의 좋은 본보기가 됩니다.

God uses ordinary people to accomplish His plans, and the key to Gideon’s success was his willingness to obey God. Gideon went from being a man in hiding, threshing wheat at the foot of a hill out of sight of the enemy, to vanquishing the same enemy in battle. However, he was careful to ensure that it was God’s will he was obeying. As the apostle Paul wrote, “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2).
하나님은 평범한 사람들을 사용하여 그분의 계획을 이루시는데, 기드온의 성공 비결은 기꺼이 하나님께 순종한 것입니다. 기드온은 적의 눈에 띄지 않는 언덕 밑에서 밀을 타작하며 숨어 지내던 사람에서 전투에서 같은 적을 물리치는 사람이 되었습니다. 하지만 기드온은 자신이 순종하는 것이 하나님의 뜻인지 확인하기 위해 주의를 기울였습니다. 사도 바울은 "여러분은 더 이상 이 세대를 본받지 말고 마음을 새롭게 함으로써 변화를 받으십시오. 그러면 여러분은 하나님의 뜻이 무엇인지, 즉 그분의 선하시고 기뻐하시고 온전하신 뜻이 무엇인지 시험하고 승인할 수 있을 것입니다."(로마서 12:2).

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