1996 Issue 5
The Scriptures dearly teach that the Sabbath is a special day which God instituted for His people to observe. As God's people, we must take care to observe it according to His word. What does God's word teach concerning the proper observance of the Sabbath?
Apparently Levi's banquet for Jesus was on the day that the disciples of John the Baptist, and the Pharisees, thought should be given to fasting. "And they said to Him, 'The disciples of John often fast and offer prayers; the disciples of the Pharisees also do the same; but Yours eat and drink.'" Notice that the question. refers to Jesus' disciples, not to Jesus Himself. "This is again (v. 30) that reluctance to attack Jesus in person although the matter involves him primarily." - Lenski
The disciples of John and of the Pharisees wanted to know why the disciples of Jesus did not fast as frequently as they did. Why were the disciples of John fasting? There could be two answers: (1). Herod recently killed John and they were mourning for him; (2). Like the Pharisees, John may have encouraged his disciples to fast as an expression of mourning for sin.
If such persons met with no encouragement, they would cease their evil work. If none will dance, they will not pipe. Pity it is that they are not made ashamed of their evil course. He who listens to them is partaker of their sins. A good man "taketh not up a reproach against his neighbour."
It was the main body of the Declaration which captured the attention of the nation when it was published in January, 1777. This section sought to prove that King George had indeed broken his covenant with the colonies and become a tyrant. The "Facts" which were submitted to the world included the following:
1. He had disrupted the legislative process in the colonies.
2. He had disrupted the administration of justice.
3. He had disregarded the individual constitutions of each of the colonies.
By now many Americans are familiar with a formerly obscure African proverb, "It takes a village to raise a child." It has been made familiar since it is the basis for the title of Mrs. Clinton's, book, It Takes A Village. This book does not speak of a small village so much as it speaks of central government's role in helping parents raise their children. Under many such proposals it would seem that parents would take a backseat to the parenting oversight provided by civil government.
My purpose here is not to discuss these possible ramifications. That has been done in many other publications. Instead I want to concentrate on the proverb itself. Does one need a village to raise a child? I would propose an alternative - a city. No, I do not mean Newport News, Hampton or any other earthly city. I mean the city of God's people. Speaking to Christians, Christ said, "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden," (Mt. 5:14).
