This book is a study of the different issues in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah from the perspective of ethno-symbolism. There is a view that the issues embedded in these books were chiefly shaped by the political factors of the given period, whereas some would think that the socio-economic or religious factors mainly moulded the different issues in these books. Without denying the roles of the mentioned factors, this book takes the ethnic identity consciousness of the early postexilic Israel as the main factor that chiefly shaped the life of the people of Israel and the whole process of the composition of the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. It is observed that the accessible resources in the political, socio-economic and religio-cultural life were selectively, situationally and subjectively utilized to form and stabilize the ethnic identity of the early postexilic Israel. It is also maintained that while the different issues were employed specifically in moulding the people of Israel, there are certain inclusive and liberative aspects that shaped these books and their narratives.
Rev. Dr. Lalawmpula Hauhnar is an ordained minister of the Presbyterian Church of India, Mizoram Synod. He earned his doctorate (DTh) from the Senate of Serampore College (University) and is currently an Associate Professor in the department of Old Testament at Aizawl Theological College, Mizoram. Previously he served as Probationary Pastor at Baktawng Pastorate (Mizoram), Missionary Pastor at Dumka Pastorate (Jharkhand), and Registrar at the United Theological College, Bangalore (Karnataka). He has several books and articles to his credit.
As this book is the outcome of my doctoral research, I would like to express my heartfelt gratitude to my thesis guide Rev. Dr. K. Jesurathnam for his meticulous guidance and consistent encouragement during the time of my research. I really cherished his scholarly comments on my works, his prompt replies to all my mails right from the time of my assessment period till the end of my research period, and his openness to listen to the issues and concerns I had both in my academic and personal areas.
I am very thankful to the Synod Theological Education Board of the Mizoram Presbyterian Church for selecting me to do my doctoral programme in the department of Biblical Studies (Old Testament) for the Faculty Development Programme of Aizawl Theological College, and for supporting me in terms of finance throughout the period of my research as well. I would also like to mention that the Mizoram Presbyterian Church has financed not only my doctoral research, but also my previous theological studies such as B.Th., B.D. and M.Th.
I would like to express my gratitude to the United Theological College, Bengaluru for accommodating me to a doctoral programme and also for providing me all the required facilities including housing, library, and beautiful ambience for my research. Many thanks to the teaching and non-teaching staff of UTC for making the College a very suitable place for theological research. I should also mention that some of Mizo my friends at UTC and other institutions with whom I had several academic discussions made my research period a very fruitful time of interaction and learning.
It is really a blessing that my wife Vanlalchhuangi and my children - Ruth Lalhruaitluangi, Elizabeth Lalenzeli and Daniel Malsawmtluanga Hauhnar are very supportive in my theological journey. It is this bevy of divine emissaries who have unreservedly buoyed and strengthened me by their prayers and deeds throughout my research. I am also very thankful to my parents and siblings who have consistently shown their care and support to me in different ways during my research. Above all, I am very grateful to the LORD Almighty for all the blessings and guidance I have received thus far.
This book 'Ethnic Identity of Israel: Ezra and Nehemiah in the Early Postexilic Context' is an excellent research work undertaken by Rev. Dr. Lalawmpuia Hauhnar in the year 2021. This research work dwells into the issues of identity, ethnicity and other related issues of community consciousness of the early postexilic community as reflected in the ancient community of Ezra-Nehemiah.
As we are aware that the Babylonian exile has made several crucial changes in the outlook and theological perception of the community of Judah. The people who remained in the land along with those who returned from Babylon had to make several adjustments as per the new socio-political and religious climate then existing. In the midst of several complications the community consciousness of their strong roots in the history along with their ancient traditions and holding fast to such traditions was obviously inevitable and this community consciousness made the community of Judah strong and intact despite their inner differences
Dr. Hauhnar's work is very much significant in today's context in India as there seems to be a great threat, especially for the minority communities for their survial and very existence. Taking a cue from the books of Ezra-Nehemiah the current research has delved into many intricate and complex socio-political and religio-cultural factors that emerged from ancient community of Judah nurtured by Ezra and Nehemiah and appropriated those insights for any contemporary minority community today. The research has taken a case of Mizo community in order to demonstrate how the biblical texts in Ezra-Nehemiah inform us and educate us today.
This research is an invaluable contribution to the postexilic biblical scholarship as well as to understand the complex issues in the books of Ezra and Nehemiah.
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