AC.598, 창6:8, '그러나 노아는 여호와께 은혜를 입었더라' (AC.596-598)

8절, 그러나 노아는 여호와께 은혜를 입었더라 And Noah found grace in the eyes of Jehovah.

 

598

He found grace in the eyes of Jehovah signifies that the Lord foresaw that the human race might thus be saved. The Lord’s mercy involves and looks to the salvation of the whole human race; and it is the same with his “grace,” and therefore the salvation of the human race is signified. By “Noah” is signified not only a new church, but also the faith of that church, which was the faith of charity. Thus the Lord foresaw that through the faith of charity the human race might be saved (concerning which faith hereafter).

 

[2] But there is a distinction in the Word between “mercy” and “grace,” and this in accordance with the difference that exists in those who receive them; “mercy” being applied to those who are celestial, and “grace” to those who are spiritual; for the celestial acknowledge nothing but mercy, and the spiritual scarcely anything but grace. The celestial do not know what grace is; the spiritual scarcely know what mercy is, which they make one and the same with grace. This comes from the ground of the humiliation of the two being so different; they who are in humiliation of heart implore the Lord’s mercy; but they who are in humiliation of thought beseech his grace; and if these implore mercy, it is either in a state of temptation, or is done with the mouth only and not from the heart. Because the new church called “Noah” was not celestial but spiritual, it is not said to have found “mercy,” but “grace,” in the eyes of Jehovah.

 

[3] That there is a distinction in the Word between “mercy” and “grace” is evident from many passages where Jehovah is called “merciful and gracious.” (as in Ps. 103:8; 111:4; 145:8; Joel 2:13)

 

여호와는 긍휼이 많으시고 은혜로우시며 노하기를 더디 하시고 인자하심이 풍부하시도다 (시103:8)

 

그의 기적을 사람이 기억하게 하셨으니 여호와는 은혜로우시고 자비로우시도다 (시111:4)

 

여호와는 은혜로우시며 긍휼이 많으시며 노하기를 더디 하시며 인자하심이 크시도다 (시145:8)

 

너희는 옷을 찢지 말고 마음을 찢고 너희 하나님 여호와께로 돌아올지어다 그는 은혜로우시며 자비로우시며 노하기를 더디하시며 인애가 크시사 뜻을 돌이켜 재앙을 내리지 아니하시나니 (욜2:13)

 

The distinction is likewise made in other places, as in Jeremiah:

 

2여호와께서 이같이 말씀하시니라 칼에서 벗어난 백성이 광야에서 은혜를 입었나니 곧 내가 이스라엘로 안식을 얻게 하러 갈 때에라 3옛적에 여호와께서 나에게 나타나사 내가 영원한 사랑으로 너를 사랑하기에 인자함으로 너를 이끌었다 하였노라 (렘31:2-3) Thus saith Jehovah, The people which were left of the sword found grace in the wilderness, when I went to give rest to him, to Israel. Jehovah appeared unto me from afar; and I have loved thee with an everlasting love; therefore in mercy have I drawn thee, (Jer. 31:2–3)

 

where “grace” is predicated of the spiritual, and “mercy” of the celestial. In Isaiah:

 

그러나 여호와께서 기다리시나니 이는 너희에게 은혜를 베풀려 하심이요 일어나시리니 이는 너희를 긍휼히 여기려 하심이라 대저 여호와는 정의의 하나님이심이라 그를 기다리는 자마다 복이 있도다 (사30:18) Therefore will Jehovah wait that he may give grace unto you, and therefore will he exalt himself that he may have mercy upon you. (Isa. 30:18)

 

Here likewise “grace” regards the spiritual, and “mercy” the celestial. So in the chapter presently following, where Lot says to the angel:

 

주의 종이 주께 은혜를 입었고 주께서 큰 인자를 내게 베푸사 내 생명을 구원하시오나 내가 도망하여 산에까지 갈 수 없나이다 두렵건대 재앙을 만나 죽을까 하나이다 (창19:19) Behold I pray thy servant hath found grace in thine eyes, and thou hast made great thy mercy which thou hast wrought with me, to make alive my soul. (Gen. 19:19)

 

That “grace” relates to spiritual things, which are of faith, or of the understanding, is evident here also in that it is said, he “hath found grace in thine eyes”; and that “mercy” relates to celestial things which are of love, or of the will, is evident from the fact that the angel is said to have “wrought mercy,” and to have “made alive the soul.”