Interpreting Prophetic Literature by James D. Nogalski

Author:James D. Nogalski [Nogalski, James D.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781611646221
Publisher: Westminster John Knox Press
Published: 2015-10-01T00:00:00+00:00

DISPUTATIONS

In this form, the prophet addresses charges made by the people against God or against the prophet. These charges can be spoken by the people, but more often the speaker (either YHWH or the prophet) states the charges and then counters them with arguments or with rhetorical questions. These elements can be clearly seen in Malachi 1:2–5, shown in chart 19.

These verses begin with a statement from YHWH pronouncing love for Israel. YHWH then quotes the dubious retort from the people, essentially demanding that YHWH prove this opening statement. In response, YHWH draws upon literary and contemporary realia to illustrate the thesis. YHWH alludes to the stories of Jacob and Esau from Genesis 25, where the twins vie for the love of Rachel and Isaac. YHWH, however, chooses to continue the ancestral promise through Jacob (Gen. 28:13–14). Malachi 1:2–4 presupposes knowledge of this story by alluding to Jacob and Esau but assumes that the reader knows the descendants of these two characters are the people of Israel and Edom. Further, the speech assumes that the reader knows Israel is the name used for YHWH’s people in Judah during the Persian period.

Chart 19: Malachi 1:2–5

Download

Copyright Disclaimer:
This site does not store any files on its server. We only index and link to content provided by other sites. Please contact the content providers to delete copyright contents if any and email us, we'll remove relevant links or contents immediately.