The Sanctuary of Bethel and the Configuration of Israelite Identity PDF
Preview The Sanctuary of Bethel and the Configuration of Israelite Identity
Jules Francis Gomes The Sanctuary of Bethel and the Configuration of Israelite Identity Beihefte zur Zeitschrift für die alttestamentliche Wissenschaft Herausgegeben von John Barton · Reinhard G. Kratz Choon-Leong Seow · Markus Witte Band 368 W DE G Walter de Gruyter · Berlin · New York Jules Francis Gomes The Sanctuary of Bethel and the Configuration of Israelite Identity w DE G_ Walter de Gruyter · Berlin · New York © Printed on acid-free paper which falls within the guidelines of the ANSI to ensure permanence and durability ISBN-13: 978-3-11-018993-3 ISBN-10: 3-11-018993-3 ISSN 0934-2575 IJbrary of Congress Cataloging-in-Publkation Data A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the Library of Congress. Bibliographic information published by the Deutsche Nationalbibliothek The Deutsche Nationalbibliothek lists this publication in the Deutsche Nationalbibliografie; detailed bibliographic data are available in the Internet at http://dnb.d-nb.de. © Copyright 2006 by Walter de Gruyter GmbH & Co. KG, D-10785 Berlin All rights reserved, including those of translation into foreign languages. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy recording or any information storage and retrieval system, without permis- sion in waiting from the publisher. Printed in Germany Cover design: Christopher Schneider, Berlin To Kshitija My bestfriend and constant Acknowledgements The writing of a dissertation may perhaps be compared to the performing of a concerto. There is the struggle to remain faithful to the 'score' —the primary sources, while seeking to interpret it afresh; there is the commitment to the 'conductor' —whose baton must be watched while indulging in a bit of rubato and ad libitum·, and there is the 'orchestra' —of scholars and supporters, who push the trembling debutante soloist out on a limb, while offering the best support they can give her or him. The reader might wish to extend the analogy! In my case, it has been the conductor who has greatly enabled this musical event, and it is to him that not only applause but also an encore is due. To switch metaphors from western music to Indian spirituality, Prof. Graham Davies has indeed been a 'guru' to me. Under his wise and patient supervision, I have not only learnt much in the field of Old Testament, but also become a better person by interacting with him. He has invested a great deal of his time, effort, and pastoral care into my work and my stay in Cambridge for which I am ever grateful. I am also deeply indebted to the scholarly 'cloud of witnesses' who enabled me to 'run with endurance the race' that was set before me. Prof. Klaus Koch was one of the first to gently nudge me in the direction of Bethel. I also want to thank him for his kind gifts that he sent so regularly. During the final stages of my work when my eyes were dimmed like Eli's, God provided an eagle-eyed scholar —alert as Samuel —to edit and proofread my final drafts. Prof. Kim Huat Tan and his wife Michelle offered their valuable time and went the extra mile. Special thanks to All Saints Educational Trust, Cambridge Commonwealth Trust, Church Mission Society, Charles Wallace India Trust, Langham Partnership, and St.Augustine's Foundation for generously funding my studies in the U.K. Canon Paul Berg, administrator of Langham Partnership, provided thoughtful direction even before we could come to England and pastoral support while we were here. The Faculty of Divinity, Cambridge is a wonderful place to study, thanks to its staff! From day one in Cambridge, Ms Rosalind Paul, Dr. Peta Dunstan and Kester Gillard roped me into the friendly and good- humoured ethos of the place. Vlll Acknowledgements The Tyndale House library in Cambridge is a treasure house for biblical studies. What makes it so welcoming is the librarian Dr. Elizabeth Magba, who is one of the most gracious and helpful persons I have ever met. Special thanks is also due for her prayer support and kindness. It is said that 'to err is human, but to really foul up things it requires a computer'. When the 'chips' were down, it was Dr. David- Instone Brewer who came to my rescue. A word of thanks to Dr. Bruce Winter, Warden of Tyndale House, who offered us accommodation there. Dr. Christoph Bultmann, Dr. Andy Warren, Dr Sandra Ramloll, Clemens Blättert, Nana Kaplanis, and Drs. Hannah and Christian Stettler offered valuable assistance and expertise in translation. Prof. Terence Fretheim and Dr. Daniel Hawk, read through my chapters on Genesis and Joshua and made relevant comments. Reading for a Ph.D. can leave one as lonely as a 'pelican of the wilderness'. Our friends in England did not allow that to happen. We cannot forget the kindness of Dr Eric and Christine Lott, Drs. Sebastian and Kirsteen Kim, Dr. Monty and Rosemary Barker, Georita Harriot, my buddies John Hilber and Charles Echols and our friends Paul Joshua, Sumita and their children. Our friends and families from India provided the much-needed moral and prayer support. Special thanks to Fr. Juventius Andrade, Mr. and Mrs. N.T.Singh, Mr. and Mrs. Rajendran, Sagar Salvi and Sangita Patole. Chaplain Ian Thompson, my Tutor Dr Mike Sewell, Gina-Vivian Neal, Margaret Hay, and the administrative staff of Selwyn College provided 'support with a smile'. I shall have fond memories of my time at Selwyn. The opportunity to minister in another country is always a great privilege. I am grateful to the Revd. Dr. John Binns and the staff of Great St.Mary's, the University Church, for allowing me to share that privilege for three years. The congregation made us feel very much at home and we shall treasure memories of our time there. If there has been one person who has accompanied and encouraged me on this journey, with much love and prayer, it has been my wife Kshitija who remains my best friend and constant companion. She put up with my inadequacies and with the rigours of a doctoral programme. It is to her that this dissertation is dedicated with much love and affection. Though the tradition of Jacob at Bethel is an important part of my dissertation, I have often felt like Jacob at Penuel —struggling with God Acknowledgements lx and left limping. But in all this, I have come to realise that 'God's grace is sufficient for me, for his power is perfected in weakness'. This work is for his glory, for he has been merciful and has seen me through. Inevitably, the attempt to compress a breadth of detail on so many biblical texts into so small a space has involved drastic and painful decisions about what to omit and what to include. My judgement may differ with that of different readers. Last but not the least, I owe a debt of gratitude to the editor of this series, Monika Müller for her expert comments, guidance, and encouragement, as well Carsten Burfeind, the editor of BZNW for his timely help and advice. I am sometimes asked about the practical relevance of my research on Bethel. To which I reply: 'If my research can demonstrate that Bethel, and not Jerusalem, was really "the house of God," I will have solved half the world's problems. Christians, Jews and Muslims would cease to squabble over the centrality of Jerusalem!' Seen in this light, I believe that research 'can have no higher function than this —of taking its large and persuasive place in the program of God's holy temple and of thus preparing us for that city in which the seer beholds "no sanctuary" simply because...all the world becomes "Bethel," the house of God.' Jules Gomes
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