Book Review: “Deconstruction and Reconstruction in YHWH’s Universal Project: Exegetical-Theological Study of Jeremiah 1:10 and Corresponding Passages” authored by Louismary Ocha

Abstract

Ocha’s work is the product of a doctoral dissertation submitted in 2019 to the Pontifical Gregorian University, Rome. Using a synchronic literary study of the canonical text, the author re-examines the book of Jeremiah as an organic unit and interprets it in the light of the commission and mission of the prophet as defined in Jer 1:10, ‘I have set you over the nations and kingdoms, ‘to uproot (???? ),’ ‘to knock down (??? ),’ ‘to destroy (??? ),’ ‘to overthrow (??? ),’ ‘to build (??? ),’ and ‘to plant (??? ).’’ This verse (Jer 1:10), according to the author, ‘forms the overture of the entire book and could serve as a lens through which the whole text is viewed.’ (p.1). With this verse as a primary text, the author argues that the six actions to be taken in the verse are variably reiterated in six other passages (Jer 12:14-17, 18:7-9, 24:6, 31:28, 42:10, and 45:4) and these knit the book of Jeremiah into a single whole, into a book that focuses on YHWH’s universal project of deconstruction and reconstruction of Judah, Israel, and the nations. The author’s choice of these passages is prompted by the fact that the twofold action of YHWH’s universal project – deconstruction (judgment) and reconstruction (salvation) – are happening successively in the passages under consideration (p.50); even in passages where only three of the verbs are used – like in Jer 12:14-17 – the two poles of YHWH’s actions are demonstrated.