<> Ask the Pastor Rev. Walter Snyder Welcome back! Before your questions, may I ask one? What do you think of the Simpson verdict? This isn't only a social and a political question, it has much to do with religion. What we think (or feel) about the jury's decision needs to be considered in light of how we live with others who are also created by God. Do our emotions and thoughts about it tell us anything about how we get along with others? We can compare the trial itself with of God's Word. He demanded evidence. No one person's word could bring a guilty verdict. Two or more witnesses were required. The evidence was weighed and a verdict rendered. Although it appears that the only eye-witnesses to the Simpson- Goldman murders were the victims and the killer(s), others were witnesses to events before and after the fact. Their testimony is not denied by Scripture. Nor does the Bible rule out "expert testimony." Experts testified to the meaning of much of the physical evidence. And though scientific testing is beyond anything an ancient Israelite could comprehend, there's really no difference between a shepherd of Joshua's time saying, "That's Aaron's robe, I'd know it anywhere," and a modern scientist saying, "That's Aaron's DNA pattern in this blood sample, I'd know it anywhere." The Bible is clear that testimony is to be evaluated at face value. Even if an entire village hated one person, the law of witnesses prevented them from convicting him apart from the facts. Similarly, it didn't matter whether a witness was loved or hated; it was the testimony that was important. The Lord wants truth and justice in every case. The facts matter, not feelings. Witnesses are believed unless proven to be liars. Nowhere does God say that denying justice in one case makes up for injustice elsewhere. Only by practicing justice in each instance is a just society truly established and maintained. Now, on to your questions. Q: "Sabbath" and "Sabaoth" are both in the Bible. What does each mean? A: "Sabbath" is the Hebrew word for "rest." It's what God did on the seventh day of Creation and what He commanded for Israel each seventh day of the week. Jesus frees us from obligation to Sabbath laws, but not from the responsibility to hear and follow God's Word. And whenever we choose to do so, it is God-pleasing to take our own "sabbath time" each week. It's a sign of trust in Him to stop our work to enjoy and give thanks for all He's already given us. "Sabaoth" is another Hebrew word. Also used in Romans 9:29 and James 5:4, it means "hosts (armies) of heaven." God calls Himself Yahweh (the Lord) of the heavenly armies. It is a sign of His might. Q: What does the Bible say about divorce and remarriage? A: This is the topic of many books and scholarly papers. A short answer: "'I hate divorce,' says the Lord, the God of Israel, 'and him who covers his garment with wrong,' says the Lord of hosts. 'So take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously' (Malachi 2:16)." In Jesus' time, as in ours, some were not content to work on their marriages. They wanted the "easy" way out that divorce offers. Christ reaffirmed that God wants marriages to last, telling His hearers that Moses allowed divorce in Israel "because of the hardness of your heart (Matthew 19:8)." The Lord of Reconciliation wants the same of His people. Yet Jesus also said that infidelity on the part of one spouse could be legitimate grounds for divorce (Matt. 5:32). The innocent partner is free to remarry. Even here, divorce is not commanded, only allowed. The partner is also free to reconcile. The unrepentant person leaving one marriage for another compounded the initial sin with adultery (Matt. 5:32; 19:9; et al.). There is forgiveness for both sins, but it's wrong to assume that God automatically excuses or ignores these deeds. On a personal level, each instance must be considered individually before a remarriage is either condemned or condoned. That's it for this week. Remember to Ask the Pastor at PO Box 1080, Jasper, TX, 75951 or e-mail xrysostom@aol.com. Walter Snyder is pastor of Faith and St. Paul Lutheran Churches, Woodville and Jasper, Texas, and coauthor of "What Do Lutherans Believe? A Study Guide in Christian Teachings for Adults." Copyright (c) 1995 by Walter P. Snyder Permission is granted by author to reproduce or retransmit this by any means, provided that its content is not altered, that this notice of copyright and permission is included, and that no financial gain is realized.