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Koers

versão On-line ISSN 2304-8557
versão impressa ISSN 0023-270X

Koers (Online) vol.75 no.3 Pretoria  2010

 

Connected leadership: Jeremiah 8:18-9:3 - a case study

 

In-kontakleierskap: Jeremia 8:18-9:3 - 'n gevallestudie

 

 

W.J. Wessels

Department of Old Testament & Ancient Near Eastern Studies, University of South Africa, PRETORIA. E-mail: wessewj@unisa.ac.za

 

 


ABSTRACT

The purpose of this article is to address the matter of connected leadership. The point of departure is a biblical passage from Jeremiah 8:18-9:3. The focus of this article is confined to the aspect of connectedness and related issues. The argument put forward is that the rhetorical nature of texts has the ability to engage many readers over time and generations. Not only did the poetic nature of Jeremiah 8:18-9:3 convey the words once spoken by a prophet, but the rhetoric also conveyed the passion of the prophet and of Yahweh for the wounded and broken people of Judah. Added to that is the fact that within the Christian tradition the belief is that the text will find meaning in new contexts as well. Jeremiah 8:18-9:3 brings to the table an element that leaders - especially religious and Christian leaders - need to take note of. Leaders should answer to a "higher power" and to ethical norms because of connectedness to this "higher power". As a leader, Jeremiah identified with his people and their woeful condition. But because of his connectedness to Yahweh, he was willing to confront them and point out their wrongdoings. He was not prepared to sacrifice his beliefs and convictions for the sake of popularity.

Key concepts: connected leadership, covenant stipulations, rhetoric


OPSOMMING

Die doel van hierdie artikel is om die kwessie van in-kontakleierskap te bespreek. Die teksgedeelte Jeremia 8:18-9:3 word as vertrekpunt geneem. Die fokus vir bespreking word beperk tot in-kontakkommunikasie en aangeleenthede wat daarmee verband hou. Die argument wat aangevoer word, is dat die retoriese karakter van die teks die vermoë het om oor geslagte heen lesers te raak en betrokke te kry. Die poëtiese aard van Jeremia 8:18-9:3 bevat nie net die woorde van 'n profeet uit die verlede nie, maar die retoriek slaag daarin om die passie van die profeet en van Jahwe vir 'n gekwesde en gebroke volk van Juda oor te dra. Hiermee saam gaan die oortuiging in die Christelike tradisie dat tekswoorde nuwe betekenis kry in nuwe kontekste. Jeremia 8:18-9:3 is van so 'n aard dat leiers daarvan kennis moet neem, veral godsdienstige- en Christenleiers. Leiers moet verantwoording doen aan 'n "hoër mag" en etiese vereistes vanweë hulle verbintenis aan hierdie "hoër mag". Jeremia het hom as leier met die betreurenswaardige omstandighede van sy mense geïdentifiseer. Hy het sy volksgenote gekonfronteer oor hulle verkeerde dade omdat sy verbintenis aan Jahwe by hom die hoogste prioriteit geniet het. Hy was nie bereid om sy oortuigings en opvattings prys te gee ter wille van gewildheid nie.

Kernbegrippe: in-kontakleierskap, retoriek, verbondsvoorskrifte


 

 

Full text available only in PDF format.

 

 

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