Today’s Message… Overlooked by most modern commentators is something that would have leaped out at any ancient Jewish reader or hearer of this text: The man had been sick for 38 years. Israel had wandered in the wilderness for 38 years (Deuteronomy 2:14). No synagogue-educated Jew would fail to make this obvious connection. And it […]

Today’s Message… Background and theology of Nehemiah’s Sabbath Policy Exodus 31:12-17 (esp. vs13, 17), indicates that the Sabbath is a “sign.” It marked out Israel as unique, for other peoples did not have the Sabbath. Strangely, perhaps in reaction to later legalism, there is a negative view of the Sabbath in the contemporary church. Even […]