Re-thinking the Day of YHWH and Restoration of Fortunes in the Prophet Zephaniah

The prophecy of Zephaniah is a compendium of prophetic thoughts on the nature of YHWH's relationship with His people. This research critically builds on past scholarships and exegetically demonstrates the thematic, literary and theological relationships of Zeph 1:14-18 and 3:14-20 with the rest of the Twelve Minor Prophets, Deuteronomistic History and with Psalm 126 and insists on Zephaniah's creative and unique understanding of God, His judgment and saving roles. Taking the judgment and wrath narrative in Zeph 1:14-18 as its pericope of exegetical departure, the author diachronically and synchronically studies in detail the contents, meaning, relevance and the theological values of Zephaniah's Day of YHWH to all cultures and religious communities. In particular, he emphasizes the fuller and salvific notion of a God who not only judges, intervenes in human history, punishes sinners, but loves, shows mercy, rewards, saves, inspires hope and restores the fortunes of the remnant who repents (Zeph 3:14-20).

Autorentext

Michael Ufok Udoekpo, currently an Associate Pastor in the Church of the Good Shepherd, Holbrook, NY was born in 1966 in Southern Nigeria. He studied philosophy at the Claretian Institute of Philosophy and theology at Bigard Memorial Seminary, Nigeria. Udoekpo has Bachelor's Degrees in philosophy and theology from the Pontifical Urban University, Rome. Having been ordained a priest for the Catholic Diocese of Ikot Ekpene in 1995, Udoekpo served in various administrative, editorial, teaching and pastoral capacities both in Nigeria and the United States. He attended St. John's University, New York and the Catholic University of America, Washington DC for his postgraduate education in theology and biblical studies, and obtained his doctorate from Angelicum, Rome. Udoekpo is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature and the Catholic Biblical Association of America.

Inhalt

Contents: A Survey of the History of Research on the Day of YHWH and General Background of Zephaniah - A Study of the Day of YHWH in the Prophet Zephaniah - The Restoration of Fortunes and the Joy of Salvation in Zephaniah 3:14-20 - A Study of the Day of YHWH Traditions in the Old Testament and in the Prophetic Traditions of the Minor Prophets other than Zephaniah - The Day of YHWH in Zephaniah and in Other Traditions: A Comparative Synthesis and Theological Values of 1:14-18 and 3:14-20 - The Theologial Values of Zephaniah 1:14-18 and 3:14-20: An Ecumenical-interreligious and Cultural Proposal.