The Concept of Divine Sovereignty in Micah by Colin Semwayo

Author:Colin Semwayo
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 9781783687695
Publisher: Langham Creative Projects

Transformation of the New People of God

Yahweh Demands Covenant Recommitment

Literary form of Yahweh’s rîb

The traditional classification of Micah 6:1–8 as a “covenant lawsuit” (ריב‎) has now been questioned and become a debated issue.[41] Andersen and Freedman contend, “This is not a transcript of a trial conducted according to the established procedures.”[42] In our estimation, to reject the presence of the lawsuit form is not being forthright with the words of the texts. Three times in two verses the text mentions the term ריב‎ (6:1, 2). We agree with Andersen and Freedman that form critics at times rigidly categorize literary genres. However, despite its truncated form, the general pattern of the lawsuit is present.[43]

Without engaging that larger debate, it is sounder to say that the passage at hand is of a mixed genre. Building on the lawsuit form, the prophet adapts and reshapes it for his own ends. Specifically, Micah essentially strings together a number of literary forms from different traditions to shape his literary piece. The passage comprises at least three literary forms – namely, a lawsuit (6:1–5) with affinities to 1 Samuel 12; an entrance liturgy (Mic 6:6–7) reminiscent of Psalms 15, 24 and Isaiah 33:14a–16; and a character sketch in didactic form (Mic 6:8) from Deuteronomy 10:12.[44] Together, the three units spell out what Yahweh expects of Israel. Each passage in its own hue blends into the others to produce a portrait of the justice and righteousness that Yahweh demands of his people. Juan I. Alfaro concurs. He comments that Micah 6:1–8 is “an urgent and intense appeal to a change of behaviour followed by an implicit recognition of sin and sincere attempt at expiation.”[45]

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