Minor Prophets

Abstract

Minor Prophets Christopher T. Begg, Joseph E. Jensen, John M. Halligan, Joel M. LeMon, and Paul R. Redditt 2219. [Book of the Twelve; Exod 34:6-7] Joel Barker, "From Where Does My Hope Come? Theodicy and the Character of Yhwh in Allusions to Exodus 34:6-7 in the Book of the Twelve," JETS 61 (2018) 697-715. This article explores how allusions to Yhwh's presentation of himself in Exod 34:6-7 are used to address the question of theodicy in the Book of the Twelve. The Exodus text's [End Page 733] affirmations concerning Yhwh's essential character are, B. argues, employed in the Twelve in connection with some aspect of the relationship between Yhwh and his people when this is under threat. In making his case, B. reviews recent discussions of terminology and criteria for identifying allusions and then brings these to bear on the search for allusions to Exod 34:6-7 in the Twelve. His findings in this regard are as follows: Joel (2:12-17; 4:19-21) appeals to his audience to trust in Yhwh's grace and compassion, even as they face threats emanating from the imminence of the "day of Yhwh" and the surrounding nations. Micah (7:18-20) proffers a prospect of hope after judgment and exile that is rooted in Yhwh's essential nature, while Nahum (1:2-8) revels in deliverance from an oppressor that it anticipates, given Yhwh's character as a God who judges the wicked. The variety of situations addressed in these texts indicates that for their authors the above text of Exodus, with its self-proclamation by Yhwh of his essential character, functions as a touchstone for addressing questions of theodicy. The Twelve's recalling of Yhwh's essential character provides its readers with hope that Yhwh remains gracious, compassionate, and just, even when lived experience calls those divine qualities into question. [Adapted from published abstract—C.T.B.] 2220. [Twelve Prophets] E. Schaeffer, "Vrede te midde van Geweld: Verskeie perspektiewe in die Twaal Klein Prophete [Peace in the Midst of Violence: Various Views in the Twelve Prophets]," AcTSup 26 (2018) 187-205 [see #2377]. In the midst of the many perspectives on violence in the Book of the Twelve Prophets, one also finds a variety of views regarding peace. S. focuses on the major peace traditions in the Twelve and explores the differences among these. Among the topics considered by him in this connection are the relationship between peace and violence, and the contexts and conditions that make peace possible. S.'s article also reflects, with reference to S. Freud's concepts of eros and thanatos, on the psychological issue of how prophets, in their advocacy of both peace and violence, evoke a concept of God in doing so. [Adapted from published abstract—C.T.B.] 2221. [Hosea 1–3] C. J. Redelinghuys, "Interpretation, Ethics, and the Complex Relationship between a Prophet and an AcTSup 26 (2018) 103-17 [see #2377]. The so-called "ontological turn" in hermeneutics has made it increasingly clear that an interpreter's "inner self" is not detached from the world in which he or she lives. This recognition has a profound impact, not only on how one conceives of the process of interpretation in general, but also on how one thinks of ethical evaluation and appropriation, in particular. In this regard, the narrative of Hosea's marriage to Gomer in Hosea 1–3 presents an interesting test case for investigating how an interpreter's previously established moral framework influences his or her current understanding of the biblical text. In exploring the point, R. utilizes three prominent ethical theories (consequentialism, deontology, and virtue ethics) as interpretive frameworks. In his conclusion, R. highlights once again the recognition that pre-understanding plays an important role in biblical interpretation. Moreover, its doing so is more complex a matter than simply focusing on the theological presuppositions operative in a given interpreter's handling of ethical questions and challenges. [Adapted from published abstract—C.T.B.] 2222. [Hos 14:2-10] Mark W. Hamilton, "History among the Junipers: Hosea 14:2-10 as Metahistoriography," BZ 63...