This article presents some perspectives about Yahweh and ethics from Malachi’s criticism of the rituals of the temple. Malachi’s theological and ethical uniqueness is observed somehow most clearly in the preponderance of negative emphasis... more
This article presents some perspectives about Yahweh and ethics from Malachi’s criticism of the rituals of the temple. Malachi’s theological and ethical uniqueness is observed somehow most clearly in the preponderance of negative emphasis the prophetic book places on temple rituals and the way the language of the cult dominates its analysis of malpractices. Prophetic criticisms of temple rituals, as this article demonstrates, lies at the heart of the controversy between the prophets and the priest; namely the role of cult and ethics in the religion of Ancient Israel. While scholars have yet to fully explain the phenomenon of criticism of the cult in prophetic writings, this article brings the prophets and the priests closer by proposing that the one way to explain the discrepancy is to advocate that these prophets could not see the importance of rituals for the improvement of ethical life. If the cult is understood to be the vertical dimension of the Law and ethics its horizontal dimension, one would notice that these dimensions go together, both are expressions of God’s will. When the vertical dimension (worship, offering, sacrifice) is experiencing some degree of dysfunction, the horizontal dimension (social justice, etc) will be affected. Malachi’s emphases on the temple obviously help one to see that there was nothing wrong with the cult unless it was not used appropriately and effectively to enhance the ethical life of the people as an essential component of the larger framework of the covenant relationship that Yahweh had with them as his people. The article thus emphasizes some underlying theological reflection on the uniqueness of Malachi’s oracles about Yahweh and ethics for faith communities.
As the means through which Israel conceptualize its relation with Yahweh, the category of covenant is considered to be the dominant and cohesive idea in the theology of the Old Testament. Although the term “covenant” is variously and even... more
As the means through which Israel conceptualize its relation with Yahweh, the category of covenant is considered to be the dominant and cohesive idea in the theology of the Old Testament. Although the term “covenant” is variously and even contradictorily defined, its applicability to Israel’s conceptualization of its relationship with Yahweh is pervasive and well-known. The covenant relationship between Israel and Yahweh is considered to be its constitution, its vocation, and its salvation. From a theological view point, the essential components of Malachi’s oracles are the personhood of Yahweh – the God of Israel, Yahweh’s covenant relationship with Israel, and the all pervasive message of unreserved and enthusiastic personal response of Israel to the truth assertions of the prophetic voice. This article thus demonstrates the significance of covenant as the central and cohesive theological motif connecting and coordinating several themes present in the book of Malachi as well as illuminating its message. In Malachi, one observes that certain religious fundamentals were compromised. In order to deal with the indifference and its adverse consequences in the gradual decline towards an unstructured existence and to hold together a society that upholds values and maintains an ancient faith, Malachi was skilful and creative in his employment of the covenant theme to the advantage of his ministerial context. As a literary endeavour, the article presents precise background and historical information about the book of Malachi that are crucial to an understanding of its theme and message, the book’s literary style, theme and structure, examines the various covenant traditions and then concludes by synthesizing these traditions within the overall context of the book’s message.
Despite renewed interest in the book of Joel and its relationship to the “Book of the Twelve,” scholarly opinions still significantly diverge on the structure of the book of Joel itself. This article surveys recent significant and... more
Despite renewed interest in the book of Joel and its relationship to the “Book of the Twelve,” scholarly opinions still significantly diverge on the structure of the book of Joel itself. This article surveys recent significant and representative proposals for Joel’s structure before arguing for an alternative unified structure based upon grammar, literary markers or “catchwords,” and structural relationships (as described by David R. Bauer and Robert A. Traina in Inductive Bible Study).
Since antiquity, the issue of the inconsistency between the Book of Nahum and the Book of Jonah has been addressed, one regarding both its content and its message. At various times, it was settled in different ways. The current state of... more
Since antiquity, the issue of the inconsistency between the Book of Nahum and the Book of Jonah has been addressed, one regarding both its content and its message. At various times, it was settled in different ways. The current state of biblical research seems to allow us to put forth a daring thesis that both Books have more in common than merely Nineveh as the subject matter, which they approach from a different angle. There seem to be grounds to see these two Books as vestiges of an intracanonical debate waged within the Book of the Twelve.
Two main interpretations of the failure of prophecy in Hag. 2:20–23 have been argued throughout the reception history of the passage, one historical and one theological. This essay argues that both readings have left questions unanswered,... more
Two main interpretations of the failure of prophecy in Hag. 2:20–23 have been argued throughout the reception history of the passage, one historical and one theological. This essay argues that both readings have left questions unanswered, and that a more robust analysis is found by bringing Zechariah 1–8 into the conversation, where retrospective theological reflections are found on the matter. Such an approach is historical and theological, revealing how post-exilic Judah would have understood Haggai’s prophecy while it was delayed (i.e. while Zerubbabel was on the scene), and also how it was understood after Zerubbabel’s demise, at which point it was obvious that the prophecy would never come to pass. Namely, the ascendancy of Zerubbabel and the full restorative promise was a conditional promise and was delayed (and ultimately never occurred) on account of disobedience to YHWH.
This article demonstrates the vindictive tone of Malachi’s final sermon by highlighting the amazing reversal of fortunes of the righteous and shocking end of the wicked. Such a reversal or antithesis this article proposes, serves as a... more
This article demonstrates the vindictive tone of Malachi’s final sermon by highlighting the amazing reversal of fortunes of the righteous and shocking end of the wicked. Such a reversal or antithesis this article proposes, serves as a climax to the literary motif and artistic brilliance of reversal noticeable in the book of Malachi. The substance of Malachi’s message is that of triumph of Yahweh’s justice over obvious inequalities of life. Malachi 3:13–21 reveals that beyond the horizon of lived reality lies a judgement moment in which good and evil are still criteria of what is acceptable and unacceptable to Yahweh. The article examines the literary structure and content of this unit of Malachi’s oracle, provides detailed exegesis of the cynicism or antithesis in the text and concludes by synthesising the result in an attempt at reconciling Yahweh’s supposed justice with obvious life’s inequalities. Malachi’s prediction of the ultimate restoration of the fortune of the righteous and shameful end of the wicked, stands as a refutation of the insinuation that to serve Yahweh is worthless.
Email me for a copy anthonyp "at" morling.edu.au This volume explores the themes of theodicy and hope in both individual portions of the Twelve (books and sub-sections) and in the Book of the Twelve as a whole, as the contributors use a... more
Email me for a copy anthonyp "at" morling.edu.au
This volume explores the themes of theodicy and hope in both individual portions of the Twelve (books and sub-sections) and in the Book of the Twelve as a whole, as the contributors use a diversity of approaches to the text(s) with a particular interest in synchronic perspectives. While these essays regularly engage the mostly redactional scholarship surrounding the Book of Twelve, there is also an examination of various forms of literary analysis of final text forms, and engagement in descriptions of the thematic and theological perspectives of the individual books and of the collection as a whole.
The synchronic work in these essays is thus in regular conversation with diachronic research, and as a general rule they take various conclusions of redactional research as a point of departure. The specific themes, theodicy and hope, are key ideas that have provided the opportunity for contributors to explore individual books or sub-sections within the Twelve, and the overarching development (in both historical and literary terms) and deployment of these themes in the collection.
Although many scholars recognize literary similarities between Hosea, Amos, Micah, and Zephaniah, defining the compositional relationship between these texts remains a matter of debate. Following the scholarly trajectory of exploring the... more
Although many scholars recognize literary similarities between Hosea, Amos, Micah, and Zephaniah, defining the compositional relationship between these texts remains a matter of debate. Following the scholarly trajectory of exploring the compositional relationship between the Twelve prophets, several scholars argue that these four prophetic texts formed a precursory collection to the Book of the Twelve. Yet even among advocates for this ‘Book of the Four’ there remain differences in defining the form and function of the collection. By reexamining the literary parallels between these texts, Werse shows how different methodological convictions have led to the diverse composition models in the field today. Through careful consideration of emerging insights in the study of deuteronomism and scribalism, Werse provides an innovative composition model explaining how these four texts came to function as a collection in the wake of the traumatic destruction of Jerusalem. This volume explores a historic function of these prophetic voices by examining the editorial process that drew them together.
