Jeremiah's royal oracle: A contextual reading of 23:1-8 and 33:14-26 in the African leadership situation

 

 

Joseph N. Mavinga

University of KwaZulu-Natal

Correspondence

 

 

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ABSTRACT

The royal oracle in Jeremiah (23:5-6; 33:14-16) intervened in the Judean context as a real challenge with regard to a "loyal leadership" capable of restoring social justice in the community. This challenge is of significance to the current African leadership, particularly, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This paper, firstly, analyses the צמח texts of Jeremiah in their contexts. Secondly, it discusses the context of African leadership. Thirdly, in considering the two contextual poles as two sets of protagonists which mirror in each other, the African leadership situation is brought to Jeremiah's texts in their contexts. In this regard, an appropriative process of the texts in their contexts is realised which provides the African leadership with insight on how to be "loyal" in managing public affairs.

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Correspondence:
Dr. Joseph N. Mavinga
University of KwaZulu-Natal
P.O.Box 101295, Scottsville 3209, South Africa
Email: mavinga_j@yahoo.com