Ideał kapłana w Księdze Ozeasza

Abstract

The Book of Hosea is a prophetic testimony from the VIII century B.C. In the Northen Kingdom it was a time of temporary political and economic growth, and simultaneous religious syncretism. The worship places, which were founded by Jeroboam I (e.g. Bethel, Dan), guaranteed independence from the Southern Kingdom (especially from Jerusalem). However, different forms of idolatrous worship, which were taken from the Canaanite religion (the golden calf, sacral prostitution), were very quickly established there. Priesthood was closely connected to this situation. Priests of the Northern Kingdom, according to 1Kings 12-13, were established by a king. The deuteronomistic and chronicle tradition criticized this because they were not taken from "among the sons of Levi". However, the establishing of non-Levities priests was an already known fact in the time of David and Solomon. So the legality of priesthood in the Northen Kingdom may not be questioned. It confirms the prophetic tradition (IX-VIII centuries B.C.), which never denied its priesthood, but only the attitude of priests. Hosea played a special role in this case. In his Book there are texts which contain very harsh criticism of the Israelite priests. The most extensive accusation is in Hos 4:4-14. Other texts are in Hos 5:1-7, 6:7-10, 8:1-7, and 10:1-8. The first of Hosea's charges is of their rejection of knowledge of Yahweh and of His Law, which was tantamount to a rejection of God's love. In this way a priest did not perform his basie function. It signified that he did not teach people and, consequently, he did not lead them to God. He also did not give them the opportunity to have knowledge of His will. Other accusations were: abuse relating to the offering of sacrifices, acquiescence in pagan worship, sacral prostitution, an influence in the election of the king, and even murders. This deplorable conduct was contrary to Deut 33:8-11. This is "a programme text" of the priest's duties. Hosea's harsh criticism directed their attention to their sins and helped them to effect a complete transformation. In this way the prophet wanted to show an example of the person and function of the ideal priest in the community of the Chosen People. The way of the practice of the ideal aim in the priest's life was observing the following roles: l) a priest knows God and His Law; 2) a priest teaches the Chosen People; 3) a priest shows that Yahweh is only one God; 4) a priest does not serve pagan idols; 5) a priest does not worship the golden calf; 6) the sacral offering serves for atonement with God; 7) a priest does not commit adultery with prostitutes; 8) a priest is politically independent; 9) a priest seeks advice from God; 10) a priest does not murder. So, the programme of the ideal priest is like a special "Decalogue", which is a way to personal holiness. The realization of all these commandments makes a priest truly become the chosen one among the chosen ones. Then priests and the Chosen People can honestly ery to Yahweh: "Our God, we know You!" (Hos 8:2). Knowledge of God was the desire of Israel and Yahweh himself desired that they should know Him. The "Hosea's Decalogue", with its first commandment of the knowledge (= love and fidelity) of God, is also very actual in the present time. It is a way of fidelity of a priest on the pattern of fidelity of Christ who knows His Father, and He knows Him (cf. John 10:15).