에스라의 하루는 6시 반에 함께 모여서 개인적인 묵상시간을 갖는 것으로 하루를 시작합니다. 30분의 개인묵상이 끝나면, 7시부터 주로 교수 가운에 한 사람이, 그날 본문을 두고 15분 내외의 묵상인도가 있습니다. 오늘 아침에는 제가 묵상인도를 하는 차례였는데, 시편이었고 그것도 92편 [안식일의 찬송 시]라고 표제까지가 붙어있는 본문이어서 감사했습니다. 제가 선호하는 성경은 새번역입니다. 특히 오늘 본문의 첫 3절은 개역성경이나 개역개정 성경번역보다 탁월했습니다. “가장 높으신 하나님, 주님께 감사를 드리며, 그 이름을 노래하는 것이 좋습니다. 아침에 주의 사랑을 알리며, 밤마다 주의 진실을 알리는 일이 좋습니다. 열 줄 현악기와 거문고를 타며 수금 가락에 맞추어서 노래하는 것이 좋습니다.”
묵상인도가 끝나면 소그룹으로 묵상나눔 시간이 8시, 아침식사 시간전까지 펼쳐집니다. 오늘 아침에 우리 부부는 3조 묵상에 배정을 받았습니다. 한 사람씩 돌아가며 나누는데 은혜가 되었습니다. <7절 악인들은 풀 같이 자라고 … 요즈음 주말 농장에 고구마를 심었습니다. 잎이 너무 무성하고 좋아보여서 ‘아 이제 고구마가 잘 열겠구나’ 싶었는데, 알고 보니 잎이 무성하면 뿌리는 오히려 충실하지 않다고 하네요… 그렇다면 나의 삶은 과연 어떠한가 돌아보게 되었습니다.> <1-3절, 새번역에는 ‘좋습니다’가 절마다 반복됩니다. 그동안 나는 맛있는 것 먹고 여행가면 좋았는데 … 주의 이름을 노래하는 것이, 주님의 성실하심을 알리는 일이, 주님을 노래하는 것을 좋아하고 싶습니다. 4절 주님께서 하신 일을 생각하면 기쁘고 그 업적을 기억하며 환성을 올리는지 돌아보게 되어서 오늘은 주님의 일로 즐거워하기를 원합니다.>
<1-3절 물론 주님의 창조와 안식을 찬양하지만 ‘아침에… 밤마다. .’ 매일의 일상에서 기쁨과 감사를 찾기 원합니다. 매일 나에게 베푸신 주님의 인자하심과 성실하심 그리고 주께서 행하신 일, 작은 일에도 찬양과 감사할 수 있기를 … 난치병에서 치료도 감사하지만 건강한 일상은 더 감사합니다> <6절 ‘어리석은 자, 무지한 자’와 ‘12절의 ‘종려나무, 백향목’을 비교해 봅니다. ‘어리석은 자’로 번역된 단어는 ‘혈기가 왕성한 자’라는 뜻입니다. 그리고 ‘무지한 자’는 ‘자기 생각이 옳다고 생각하는 자’라는 뜻입니다. 그러고 보니 내가 바로 그런 사람이었습니다. 회개하게 되었습니다. 제 호가 ‘산목(散木, 버려진 나무)’입니다. 남편이 지어주신 건데요. 저는 일찍 주님을 만나고 사랑하는 주님이 나를 바로 사용하여 주셔서, 열심히 섬기고 싶었는데 주님께서 공부부터 하라고 하셔서 공부했습니다. ‘산목’(散木)은 벌목하는 사람들이 좋은 나무가 아니어서 베지 않고 두었는데 한참 지나고 보니 튼실한 나무가 된 경우입니다. 빨리 자라진 않았지만, 백향목처럼 단단한, 하나님께서 쓰시기에 좋은 나무가 되기를 원합니다. ‘산목’(散木)처럼요.>
<1-3절 안식일에 부르는 시편인데 창조를 마치시고 안식하시며 ‘좋았더라’고 하셨습니다. 그분의 창조하심을 찬양하고, 이땅에 복음을 허락하셔서 이 땅이 복음으로 변화되고 축복의 땅이 되게 하시니 찬양하고, 뿐만 아니라 실패할 수 밖에 없었던 나의 인생을 변화시켜주신 ‘주께서 행하신 일(4절)’을 좋았다고 돌아보며 하나님을 찬양합니다.> <7-12절 ‘악인’과 ‘의인’ 비교하면, ‘악인’은 우선은 잘되고 흥왕할지라도 결국은 멸망하지만 ‘의인’은 우선은 별볼일 없어보이고 변화가 없어보이지만 결국은 종려나무같이 번성하며 성장할 것이니 위로가 됩니다. 에스라에서 이렇게 지나면서, 공부 뿐만 아니라 학우들과 교제하며 보내는 시간이 참 귀하고 하나님께서 결국에는 복을 주실 것을 믿기 때문에 오늘도 찬양할 수 있습니다.>
에스라성경대학원대학교는 1학년 때는 월요일부터 금요일 오전까지 기숙하며 교수님들을 통해 성경을 차례대로 배울 뿐만 아니라 하루의 시작을 매일성경의 차례를 따라 묵상나눔으로 말씀의 교제와 삶을 나누는 아름다운 학교입니다.
A day at Ezra begins at 6:30 AM when we gather together for personal meditation. After thirty minutes of personal reflection, one of the professors usually leads a fifteen-minute guided meditation on that day's passage starting at 7:00 AM. This morning, it was my turn to lead the meditation, and I felt deeply grateful because the text was from the Psalms—specifically Psalm 92, titled "A Song for the Sabbath Day." The Bible translation I personally prefer is the New Korean Standard Version. In particular, the first three verses of today's passage were translated far more exquisitely than in the traditional Korean versions: "It is good to praise the Lord, Most High, and make music to your name, to proclaim your love in the morning and your faithfulness at night, to the music of the ten-stringed lyre and the melody of the harp."
Once the guided meditation concluded, small-group sharing sessions unfolded until breakfast at 8:00 AM. This morning, my wife and I were assigned to Group 3. It was truly a grace-filled time as each person took turns sharing their thoughts.
<Verse 7: "Though the wicked sprout like grass . . ." Recently, I planted sweet potatoes on our weekend farm. The leaves were growing so lush and vibrant that I thought, "Ah, we're going to have a bountiful harvest!" But I later learned that when the vines and leaves grow overly thick, the tubers underneath remain thin and meager. . . This prompted me to reflect on my own life: Am I merely leafy on the outside, or genuinely fruitful within?>
<Verses 1–3: In the New Translation, the phrase "It is good" is repeated in every verse. Until now, I thought it was simply "good" to eat delicious food or go on trips . . . but I yearn to truly cherish singing praises to the Lord's name, proclaiming His faithfulness, and delighting in Him. Verse 4 says, "For you make me glad by your deeds, Lord; I sing for joy at what your hands have done." Reflecting on whether I truly rejoice in His work, I desire to find my joy in the Lord's deeds today.>
<Verses 1–3: Of course, this psalm praises the Lord's creation and rest, but seeing "in the morning . . . and at night . . ." makes me want to find joy and gratitude in the ordinary routines of daily life. May I praise and give thanks for the Lord's lovingkindness, His faithfulness, and His works even in the smallest details of life . . . Healing from a severe illness is certainly cause for thanksgiving, but living each day in quiet health is an even greater blessing.>
<Verse 6 compares "the senseless man, the fool" with the "palm tree and cedar" of verse 12. The word translated as "fool" carries the nuance of someone driven by hot temper and raw impulses, while "senseless" refers to one who insists that only their own ideas are right. Realizing this, I recognized that I myself had been such a person, which brought me to genuine repentance. My pen name is *Sanmok* (散木, "the discarded tree"), given to me by my husband. I came to know the Lord early on and wanted Him to use me right away; I was eager to serve Him passionately, yet the Lord led me to study first. A *sanmok* is a tree that woodcutters passed over because it seemed unfit for timber, only to grow over time into a sturdy, magnificent tree. Though it did not grow rapidly, I pray that I may become a tree as solid as a cedar of Lebanon, well-suited for God's use—just like a *sanmok*.>
<Verses 1–3: This is a psalm sung on the Sabbath. After completing creation, God looked at it and declared that "it was very good." I praise Him for His creation; I praise Him for granting the Gospel to this land, transforming it into a blessed land through the Good News; and looking back on "what the Lord has done" (v. 4) in redeeming my otherwise broken life, I confess that it was truly good and praise God.>
<Verses 7–12: Comparing the "wicked" with the "righteous," the wicked may seem to thrive and prosper for a season, but they ultimately perish. Meanwhile, the righteous may appear insignificant and unchanged for a time, yet ultimately they will flourish like a palm tree and grow tall. What deep comfort this brings! As I spend my days here at Ezra, not only the studies but also the sweet fellowship with fellow students is precious beyond measure. Because I believe that God will ultimately grant His blessing, I can sing His praises today as well.>
Ezra Bible Graduate University is a beautiful school where first-year students reside together from Monday through Friday morning, not only learning the Scriptures systematically from professors, but also starting each day by sharing life and fellowship in the Word through the Daily Bible readings.
'n Dag by Ezra begin om halfsewe die oggend wanneer ons saamkom om die dag met persoonlike bepeinsing te begin. Nadat dertig minute van stil gebed en oordenking verby is, lei een van die professore gewoonlik vanaf sewe-uur 'n oordenking van ongeveer 15 minute oor die teksgedeelte van die dag. Vanoggend was dit my beurt om die oordenking te lei, en ek was baie dankbaar dat dit 'n psalm was—en bowenal Psalm 92, met die opskrif "'n Lied vir die sabbatdag". Die Bybelvertaling wat ek verkies, is die Nuwe Vertaling. Veral die eerste drie verse van vandag se teks is soveel treffender vertaal as in die ouer weergawes: "Dit is goed om die Here te loof, om u Naam te besing, Allerhoogste, om in die môre van u liefde te getuig en in die nag van u trou, by die klank van die tiensnarige lier en die harp, by die streling van die siter."
Na afloop van die oordenking volg kleingroepgesprekke tot agtuur, net voor ontbyttyd. Vanoggend is ek en my vrou aan Groep 3 toegewys. Dit was waarlik 'n geseënde tyd terwyl elkeen beurtelings gedeel het wat op die hart lê.
<Vers 7: "Al skiet die goddeloses op soos gras . . ." Ek het onlangs patats op ons naweekplasie geplant. Die blare het so geil en welig gegroei dat ek gedink het: 'Nou gaan ons 'n wonderlike oes hê!' Maar toe vind ek uit dat as die blare te welig groei, die knolle onder die grond juis skraal bly. . . Dit het my laat nadink oor my eie lewe: Is my lewe dalk net vol blare, of dra dit werklik heilsame vrugte?>
<Verse 1–3: In die Nuwe Vertaling word die frase "dit is goed" in elke vers herhaal. Tot nou toe het ek gedink dis eenvoudig "goed" om lekker te eet of op reis te gaan . . . maar ek wil leer om vreugde daarin te vind om die Naam van die Here te besing, van Sy trou te getuig en Hom met my hele hart te loof. Vers 5 sê: "U dade, Here, het my baie bly gemaak, ek wil jubel oor die werk van u hande." Dit het my laat stilstaan by die vraag of ek werklik juig oor Sy werk, en vandag wil ek my hart verbly in die dade van die Here.>
<Verse 1–3: Natuurlik besing die psalm die Here se skepping en rus, maar woorde soos 'in die môre . . . in die nag . . .' spoor my aan om vreugde en dankbaarheid in die gewone, daaglikse roetine te soek. Mag ek die Here loof en dank vir Sy goedertierenheid, Sy trou en Sy handewerk, selfs in die kleinste dingetjies . . . Genesing van 'n ernstige siekte is 'n groot rede tot dankbaarheid, maar 'n gesonde alledaagse lewe is 'n nog groter genadegawe.>
<Vers 7 stel die "onverstandige mens, die dwaas" teenoor die "palmboom en seder" van vers 13. Die woord wat as 'dwaas' vertaal word, dra die betekenis van iemand wat driftig en opvlieënd is. En 'onverstandig' dui op iemand wat dink net sy eie idees is reg. Toe ek daaraan dink, het ek besef dat ek self presies so 'n mens was. Dit het my tot bekering gebring. My skrywersnaam is *Sanmok* (散木, 'die verlate boom'), wat my man vir my gegee het. Ek het die Here vroeg in my lewe leer ken en wou dadelik deur my geliefde Here gebruik word; ek wou Hom met ywer dien, maar die Here het my eers laat studeer. 'n *Sanmok* is 'n boom wat houtkappers laat staan het omdat dit nie as goeie hout beskou is nie, maar wat mettertyd tot 'n stewige, manjifieke boom gegroei het. Al het ek nie vinnig gegroei nie, verlang ek om 'n boom te wees wat so stewig soos 'n seder is—geskik vir God se gebruik, net soos 'n *sanmok*.>
<Verse 1–3: Dit is 'n psalm vir die sabbat. Nadat God die skepping voltooi en gerus het, het Hy gesê dat dit 'baie goed' was. Ek prys Hom vir Sy skeppingswerk; ek prys Hom omdat Hy die Evangelie aan hierdie land geskenk het en dit daardeur in 'n geseënde land verander het; en wanneer ek terugkyk na 'die werke van die Here' (v. 5) wat my eie lewe—wat andersins 'n mislukking sou wees—verander het, bely ek dat dit goed was en loof ek God.>
<Verse 8–13: As 'n mens die 'goddelose' met die 'regverdige' vergelyk, lyk dit of die goddelose aanvanklik floreer en voorspoedig is, maar uiteindelik vergaan hulle. Daarteenoor lyk die regverdige dalk aanvanklik onbeduidend en onveranderd, maar op die ou end sal hy floreer soos 'n palmboom en groei soos 'n seder—wat 'n diepe troos! Terwyl ek hier by Ezra vertoef, is nie net die studie nie, maar ook die samesyn met medestudente vir my van onskatbare waarde. Omdat ek glo dat God uiteindelik Sy seën sal skenk, kan ek ook vandag Sy lof besing.>
Die Ezra Bybelse Nagraadse Universiteit is 'n pragtige instelling waar eerstejaarstudente van Maandag tot Vrydagoggend in koshuise bly om nie net die Bybel stelselmatig by professore te leer nie, maar ook elke dag saam te begin deur die Skrif te bepeins en mekaar se lewens deur die Woord te verryk.