An Exegetical Analysis and its Ethical Perspectives
This book is an important contribution in the field of biblical studies. Its uniqueness consists in the interpretation of Ezekelian shepherd text (34:1–16) from the perspective of virtue ethics. Inspired by the document of Pontifical Biblical Commission on ‘The Bible and Morality: Biblical Roots of Christian Conduct,’ the book studies the ethical implications of the shepherd text in Ezekiel. Apart from a thorough study of the metaphor of shepherd in the West Asian context and an in-depth exegetical study of Ezek 34:1–16, it presents a contextual analysis of shepherding as servant-leadership in the contemporary world. The interesting aspect of this book is that the author applies the results of the exegesis to the area of virtue ethics and re-reads the text from the perspective of virtue ethics. She equates the shepherd-leader with the servant-leader, makes some fruitful contextual applications and poses some pertinent challenges to the current exercise of authority and leadership in the church and society. This book shines as an abiding contribution in biblical theology and a prophetic corrective force in the society where the leaders from all spectrum of life face serious credibility-crises.
The Shepherd Motif in Ezekiel 34:1–16
Maria Augustine