What makes the difference between success and failure? (Neh 6:15-7:5)
Neh 6:15-19; 7:1-5 Despite badgering, opposition, tactics to frighten the workers, discredit their leader and forcibly stop the project, the breaches have been filled and the Jerusalem wall now stands, less than two months after the project began (Neh 6:15).…
The challenge of re-applying ancient laws in new contexts (Ezra 9-10)
This is my last post on the mixed marriage crisis drawing some lessons from the story overall. In an OT class I taught, we were reflecting on the Mosaic law and how to interpret regulations in a meaningful way. I…
Were the exiles concerned about racial purity in marriages? Part II.
Ezra 9:1-15 In the first part of this question (Were the exiles concerned about racial purity in marriages? Part I), I explored the reason in Deuteronomy 7, which the exiles used to condemn intermarriages with non-Jews. I now turn to…
Were the exiles concerned about racial purity in marriages? Part I.
Ezra 9:1-2 Given that modern readers are particularly sensitive to the issue of racism, it is not surprising that we immediately suspect it in the exiles’ story and this assumption is sadly reinforced by many translations that have ‘holy race’…
What influences dominate our life? (Ezra 9:1-4)
Ezra 9:1-4 A few years ago, I visited Jim Thompson’s house in Bangkok, an American businessman who helped revitalise traditional Thai silk weaving. On the guided tour, I was struck by how Thai beliefs shaped so much in the structure…