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“Ephraim is a Cake Not turned”: the Fruits of the False Knowledge of God According to Hos 7:8-16
Balla, Ibolya (Katolicki Uniwersytet Lubelski Jana Pawła II, 2022)
The document of the Pontifical Biblical Commission, called What is man? A Journey through Biblical Anthropology points out in Chapter 1 (“The Human being created by God”), par. 33 that “[t]he failure to recognise the ‘created’ nature of the human being is made explicit in history as an arrogant pre sumption…” (46) and in par. 34 that “[a]n extraordinary endowment of intelligence, wealth and power gives the human being the illusion of being equal to God. To expose this deception of conscience the Lord predicts the inglorious end of the arrogant” (47). Many of the critiques and prophecies of Hosea are pro claimed in a period of Israelite history which reflects false and arrogant presumptions of the people of God. During the reign of Jeroboam II (ca. 784–753 BC) Israel experienced economic growth, territorial expansion and peace with the Arameans and the Judeans. However, especially following the Syro-Ephraim ite war (734–732 BC) it became clear that Israel’s political and military manoeuvres and his trust in his own strength can only lead to disaster. This is one of the recurring messages of Hosea who points out that the only way to stand is to believe and trust in God alone. Many of his images and concepts describe Israel’s false beliefs and presumptions which are based on the erroneous knowledge of God. Hos 7:8-16 can be read as an essence of this message. Its literary devices and notions emphasize that while Israel appears to be potent, he is in fact impotent, the undiscerning nation’s “strength” is withering away. Israel seems wise and knowledgeable when he is in fact unwise and does not know the way of life. In the context of the entire book this passage affirms that the basis of the relation of God and Israel is always the right knowledge of him which entails the right knowledge of the self and of its place in the universe. One of God’s greatest mercies for creation and Israel is that he is available, he can be sought, found and known through his words and deeds. Hosea as the mediator of God conveys to Israel that they can call upon God, seek him and know him. While his message is for a special historical period and circumstances, it is relevant for all ages when humans ignore their created nature and aspire to be powerful, self-sufficient, intelligent in economic, scien tific, political and military matters.
Resurrection and God’s Kingship in Tobit 13. The Role of Tob 13:2 in Its Context
Balla, Ibolya (Katolicki Uniwersytet Lubelski Jana Pawła II, 2019)
Tob 13:2 is found in the context of the hymn of praise of Tobit in Tobit 13. The chapter contains a Zion song in 13:9-18 addressed to Jerusalem, similar to those found especially in Ap Zion (11QPsa XXII 1-15]) and Bar 4:30-5:9. The latter two do not have the idea of resurrection that appears in Tob 13:2, which in its immediate context (v. 1-8) is closely connected with 13:9-18. The paper aims at providing an overview of Tobit 13 in the context of the book and in relation to Ap Zion (11QPsa XXII 1-15) and Bar 4:30–5:9, while summing up the most important differences of the three Zion songs and attempting to explain the presence of the idea of resurrection in Tobit 13. The main arguments are as follows: the appearance of the concept of resurrection in relation to that of God’s kingship in proximity to a Zion song has to do – among others – with the characteristic content of Tobit’s and his family’s storyline in Tobit 1–12 and with the concern to combine notions of national and personal fate. The study refers to some of the scriptural influences on Tobit 13 and their significance, and treats the questions of the author’s view on God’s kingship, authority and on retribution at a national and individual level.
The Role of God’s Mighty Acts in Joel: The Book of Joel as an Example of Trauma Literature
Balla, Ibolya (Katolicki Uniwersytet Lubelski Jana Pawła II, 2021)
The Book of Joel abounds in the descriptions of God’s mighty acts, including his interventions in the workings of nature and the unfolding historical events in the life of Israel and the so-called heathen nations. It has long been recognized that these acts are important in structuring the book as a whole. They can be labelled as negative or positive for the life of Israel, depending on which part of the book we interpret. In the final form of the work there is a centreline between its two major parts (1:1–2:17; 2:19–4:21), separating the descriptions of divine punishment and lament from the accounts of restoration and joy when it comes to the relationship of the covenant community with God: “Then the Lord became jealous for his land, and had pity on his people” (Joel 2:18). This verse also serves as an introduction to 2:19–4:21. What has not yet been examined in detail, however, is that the descriptions of God’s working in the nations’ history and in nature can help read the book from the viewpoint of trauma/crisis and tenacity. In the midst of crises Israel’s only hope is to repent and turn to the Lord to have mercy. In repentance, the prophet’s resilience and compassion is also significant; his words are handed down to us in a form that resembles the terminology, mood and theological teaching of certain lament psalms of the Hebrew Bible, yet representing the tradition of the day of the Lord especially important in prophetic literature. This paper aims at investigating the Book of Joel from the perspective of trauma and tenacity with a view to the scriptural allusions the author employs.