Abstract
The phenomenon of ritual criticism in prophetic writings of the HB/OT is one that highlights the discrepancy between ritual and lifestyle on the one hand and emphasizes the significance of rituals for the improvement of ethical life of people. Rituals are viewed as Ancient Israelite’s vertical dimension of the relationship between God and man while ethics are its horizontal components (man to man relationship). In Micah, rituals are presented as acts of people’s relationship with Yahweh (worship, offering and sacrifices) that do not impact positively on the horizontal dimension (social justice). This dysfunction of relationship is poignantly addressed by Micah as his oracle switches from confrontation to reconciliation. This article addresses the confrontation between Yahweh and Israel/Judah by juxtaposing two dominant spheres of Israel/Judah’s religious life; ritual and lifestyle. Micah 6:6–8 stands in sharp contrast to the extravagance and mockery of rituals and as an alternative presents a message most profound and insightful for an invaluable decision. A truly ethical religion, Micah holds, is not about extravagant rituals but personal duty and responsibility for fulfilling that duty in society. https://doi.org/10.17159/2312-3621/2019/v32n3a3
Highlights
The phenomenon of ritual criticism in prophetic writings of the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament (HB/OT) is one that highlights the discrepancy between ritual and lifestyle on the one hand and emphasizes the significance of rituals for the improvement of ethical life of people
In Micah, rituals are presented as acts of people’s relationship with Yahweh that do not impact positively on the horizontal dimension. This dysfunction of relationship is poignantly addressed by Micah as his oracle switches from confrontation to reconciliation
Micah 6:6–8 stands in sharp contrast to the extravagance and mockery of rituals and as an alternative presents a message most profound and insightful for an invaluable decision
Summary
The phenomenon of prophetic indictment of rituals[2] in the Hebrew Bible/Old Testament (HB/OT) is one that highlights the discrepancy between ritual and lifestyle on the one hand and emphasizes the significance of rituals for the. Boloje “Extravagant Rituals or Ethical Religion,” OTE 32/3: 800-820 801 improvement of ethical life of people in covenant community and society on the other hand.[3] As an essential domain of both private and public worship, the cult[4] plays a vital role in the religious life of ancient Israelite community.[5] Israel’s cult is conceived as direct witness to and epitome of the dynamic practice of intimacy with Yahweh (in his very essence and character as sovereign and gracious). These prophets enthusiastically criticize the absence of moral integrity in the lives of the worshippers (cf Amos 5:21–24; 8.4–6; Hos 4:4–6; 6:1–6; Isa 1:10–17) They decried and denounced a superciliously blossoming and extravagant cult, but such that was bereft of any sense of social obligations towards the weak and helpless within the society.[8] they charged the people to perform rituals but to embody their performance of rituals with suitable, sustainable, healthy, merciful and ethical attitudes toward one another. Micah 6:6–8 stands in sharp contrast to the extravagance and mockery of rituals and as an alternative presents a message most profound and insightful for an invaluable decision
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