A Theological Examination of Symbolism in Ezekiel with Emphasis on the Shepherd Metaphor

Joel K. T. Biwul

Description

This book addresses one of the ever-aching problems of human society – failed leadership in secular and sacred domains. It points out, from Ezekiel’s use of symbolism and shepherd motif, what society stands to suffer and or lose under a bad human leadership structure and bad governance. This plays out in the book’s x-ray of the characteristics of sheep needing a shepherd. Dr. Biwul contends that Ezekiel used symbolic sign-acts to indict both Israel’s bad and imperfect human shepherds as well as the Babylonian exiles as being responsible for their plight for not upholding the norms of Deuteronomic theology. Particularly, he argues forcefully from Ezekiel’s shepherd motif that a major factor responsible for the exile of Israel as a covenant community is the massive failure of its bad and imperfect human shepherds who did not possess the requisite shepherding qualities inherent in Yahweh as chief shepherd of Israel. Biwul therefore draws particular attention to the reality of Ezekiel’s use of the recognition formula when Yahweh acts at last to restore his people. This is rooted in the theological-eschatological motif which would come to its full reality in the anticipated eschatological community when Yahweh would shepherd his people.

Informations

• Publié par: Langham Creative Projects
• Date de parution: 14 décembre 2013
• Nombre de lectures: 0
• EAN13: 9781783689941
• Langue: English

Extrait

This study of the shepherd metaphor in Ezekiel 34 constitutes a stimulating challenge to everyone who reflects on one of the most important problems facing believing communities across Africa: the theological-ethical agenda of leadership.
Ezekiel 34 is investigated against the traumatic backdrop of the Babylonian exile, a socio-economical and cultic understanding of shepherding in the context of animal husbandry in the Ancient Near East, the emphasis on the covenant in Deuteronomic theology and the strong indictment of Israelite leadership as shepherds. The challenging conclusion is that Ezekiel 34 juxtaposes the failed Israelite leadership with a theological and eschatological use of the shepherd metaphor that points towards Yahweh as the Shepherd of his people – despite the fact that they are in exile!
Prof. Hendrik L Bosman
Old and New Testament, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
Biwul’s theological examination of symbolism in Ezekiel is a thought provoking work. The writer is keenly aware that what is lacking within his immediate and wider contexts is the near absence of transparent and accountable leadership. The author clearly points out in his treatment of the shepherd motif the fact that both the Shepherd and the flock have divine responsibilities, which if not addressed would lead to the structural dislocation of society.
Therefore, in a subtle way, the author sets out to address the preponderance of leadership failures and other challenges emanating from both the leaders of the people as well as the non-responsiveness of the led to responsible followership. Using appropriate stylistic and literary devices of investigative research, the author superbly assesses Ezekiel’s symbolism using the motif of the shepherd and his flock. He opined and rightly too that the bane of the present day society is the ever growing cases of leadership failures, as a result of the absence of the fear of God. This work is a piece of literature, which possess both the power and capacity to catch the attention of its reader, no matter how well placed or grossly disadvantaged.
Rev. Jotham Maza Kangdim
Associate Professor of Old Testament
Department of Religious Studies, University of Jos, Nigeria

A Theological Examination of Symbolism in Ezekiel with Emphasis on the Shepherd Metaphor
Joel K. T. Biwul

© 2013 by Joel K. T. Biwul
Published 2013 by Langham Monographs
an imprint of Langham Creative Projects
Langham Partnership
PO Box 296, Carlisle, Cumbria CA3 9WZ, UK
www.langham.org
ISBNs:
978-1-783689-96-5 Print
978-1-783689-95-8 Mobi
978-1-783689-94-1 ePub
Joel Biwul has asserted his right under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988 to be identified as the Author of this work.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted, in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher or the Copyright Licensing Agency.
Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. TM
British Library Cataloguing in Publication Data
Biwul, Joel K. T., author.
A theological examination of symbolism in Ezekiel with
emphasis on the shepherd metaphor.
1. Bible. Ezekiel--Criticism, interpretation, etc.
2. Bible. Ezekiel--Language, style. 3. Metaphor in the
Bible. 4. Ezekiel (Biblical prophet)--Prophecies.
5. Ezekiel (Biblical prophet)--Symbolism. 6. Prophecy--
Judaism. 7. Shepherds in the Bible. 8. Jews--History--
Babylonian captivity, 598-515 B.C.
I. Title
224.4’064-dc23
ISBN-13: 9781783689965
Cover & Book Design: projectluz.com
Langham Partnership actively supports theological dialogue and a scholar’s right to publish but does not necessarily endorse the views and opinions set forth, and works referenced within this publication or guarantee its technical and grammatical correctness. Langham Partnership does not accept any responsibility or liability to persons or property as a consequence of the reading, use or interpretation of its published content.

Converted to eBook by EasyEPUB

In memory of my dear paternal uncle, Nda Miskaham Daniel Danehep Gurumdi Dalang (died 28 August, 1980).
Contents

Cover


List of Abbreviations


Abstract


Acknowledgements


CHAPTER ONE Introduction


1.1 Introduction to the Study


1.2 Statement of the Research Problem


1.3 The Problem with Ezekiel


1.4 Purpose and Significance of the Study


1.5 Research Methodology and Procedure


1.6 Ezekiel in the Prophetic Tradition


1.7 Definition of Terms and Concepts


1.8 Conclusion


CHAPTER TWO Ezekiel’s Use of Symbolism and the Shepherd Metaphor


2.1 Introduction


2.2 The Context for Ezekiel’s Use of Symbolism


2.3 Ezekiel’s Use of the Shepherd Metaphor


2.4 The Etymology and Semantics of the Shepherd Metaphor


2.5 Conclusion


CHAPTER THREE The Historical and Literary Contexts for the Shepherd Metaphor in Ezekiel 34


3.1 Introduction


3.2 The Historical Context for the Use of the Shepherd Metaphor in Ezekiel


3.3 The Literary Context for the Shepherd Metaphor in Ezekiel


3.4 The Shepherd Metaphor in Pre-Classical Prophetic Texts


3.5 Conclusion


CHAPTER FOUR Ezekiel’s Shepherd Metaphor and the Norms of Deuteronomic Theology


4.1 Introduction


4.2 The Significance of Deuteronomic Theology to Israel


4.3 The Implications of Deuteronomic Theology for Exilic Israel


4.4 Ezekiel’s Eschatological Response to the Exiles


4.5 Ezekiel Critiques Judah Against the Norms of Deuteronomic Theology


4.6 Conclusion


CHAPTER FIVE A Case for Eschatological Shepherding in Ezekiel 34


5.1 Introduction


5.2 The Literary and Structural Context for Ezekiel 34


5.3 Indictment of Imperfect Human Shepherds, vv. 1-16


5.4 Indictment and Sifting of Israel’s Imperfect Flock, vv. 17-22


5.5 The Declaration of a Perfect Eschatological Society for Shepherding, vv. 23-31


5.6 The Eschatological Role of Ezekiel’s Recognition Formula


5.7 Conclusion


CHAPTER SIX Ezekiel’s Theology of an Eschatological Shepherd and the New Society


6.1 Introduction


6.2 Ezekiel’s Theology of Eschatological Shepherding Is Yahwistic in Outlook


6.3 Eschatological Shepherding Requires a Return to Yahweh


6.4 Ezekiel’s Theological Basis for Disqualifying Israel’s Shepherds from Eschatological Shepherding


6.5 Ezekiel’s Theology of “I AM YAHWEH” for Eschatological Shepherding


6.6 Conclusion


CHAPTER SEVEN Summary and Conclusions


7.1 Summary of the Study


7.2 Some Observations from the Study


7.3 Recommendations for Further Research


Bibliography

Endnotes
List of Abbreviations

AB
The Anchor Bible
ABD
The Anchor Bible Dictionary
ANE
Ancient Near East
AJBS
African Journal of Biblical Studies
ANET
Ancient Near Eastern Text edited by James B. Pritchard
BDB
Francis Brown, S. R. Driver, and Charles A. Briggs
BST
The Bible Speaks Today
BS
Bibliotheca Sacra
BA
The Biblical Archaeologist
BW
The Biblical World
CAN
Christian Association of Nigeria
CBR
Currents in Biblical Research
CBQ
The Catholic Biblical Quarterly
EBS
Encountering Biblical Studies Series
ECWA
The Evangelical Church Winning All
GR
Geographical Review
HTR
Harvard Theological Review
IVP
Inter-Varity Press
IBT
Interpreting Biblical Texts
ISBE
The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia
JETS
Jos ECWA Theological Seminary
JSOTSup
Journal for the Study of the Old Testament Supplement Series
JHS
The Journal of Hebrew Scriptures
JCAS
Journal for Criminal Animal Studies
JFSR
Journal of Feminist Studies in Religion
JR
The Journal Religion
JBL
Journal of Biblical Literature
JSOT
Journal for the Study of the Old Testament
LTQ
Lexington Theological Quarterly
MLA
Modern Language Association
MSJ
The Master’s Seminary Journal
MCB
Mercer Commentary on the Bible Series
NICOT
New International Commentary on the Old Testament
NAC
The New American Commentary Series
NAC
The NIV Application Commentary Series
NIDOTTE
The New International Dictionary of Old Testament Theology and Exegesis
NIDNTT
The New International Dictionary of New Testament Theology
NEA
Near Easter