This book, titled Whispers of God: A Theological Exploration into the Themes of the Old Testament, delves into the profound theological messages woven throughout the Old Testament, inviting readers to hear the subtle yet powerful whispers of God that echo through its narratives. These whispers are not only found in grand moments of divine intervention but are also present in the everyday lives of individuals, communities, and even the struggles of God’s people. This book invites readers to embark on an exploration of the sacred texts, not as relics of a bygone era but as living dialogues that resonate across times. It seeks to illuminate the enduring relevance of the Old Testament by focusing on its various key themes. In exploring these themes, it offers reflections that draw from the depth of divine wisdom and insight. It calls readers to consider how the ancient religious texts speak to contemporary issues of faith, morality, and identity. Each chapter delves into a specific theme, drawing connections between the world of the Old Testament and our modern lives. By exploring the cultural, historical, and theological contexts of these themes, this book aims to uncover the richness of the Old Testament’s message and its ability to speak to the challenges and aspirations of modern readers.

Contents

Preface

Chapter 1: Reverence for Creation as God’s Good Creation

Chapter 2: Sinai Covenant – A Foundational Response to Divine – Human Relationship

Chapter 3: Chosen and Unchosen: Implications of ‘Election’ in the Hebrew Bible

Chapter 4: The Theological Portraits of Land in the Old Testament

Chapter 5: Deuteronomistic Portrait of Monarchy in the Deuteronomistic History

Chapter 6: Nazirites in the Old Testament and Sainthood

Chapter 7: Sabbath in the Hebrew Bible

Chapter 8: When the King Crosses the Line: The Figure of David in 2 Sam 24

Chapter 9: “Maintain Justice, and Do What is Right”: Justice and Righteousness in the Book of Isaiah

Chapter 10: “To Pluck Up and to Break Down, to Build and to Plant”: The Mission of Retribution and Restoration in Jeremiah

Chapter 11: Ezekiel: A Prophet of Judgment and Restoration

Chapter 12: Religious Practice – A Prophetical Critique

Chapter 13: The “Day of the Lord”: A Theological Leitmotif in the Biblical Prophecy

Chapter 14: Amos: A Prophet Who Roared for the Renewal and Reformation of Society

Chapter 15: A Call to Prophetic Priesthood: A Hermeneutical Reading of Am 7:10-17

Chapter 16: Yhwh, the Good Shepherd: Exegetical and Theological Implications of Ezek 34,11-16

Chapter 17: The Book of Job: A Faith-filled Response in Crisis and Suffering

Chapter 18: Does the Hebrew Bible Endorse Punitive Discipline of the Child?

Chapter 19: Wisdom Metaphors (Wis 7:25-26) and Indian Traditions

Chapter 20: Contribution of the Creation Accounts in Genesis to the Dialogue of Science and Religion

Acknowledgement

Thomas Karimundackal, SJ, is professor of the Old Testament and Biblical Exegesis and teaches Biblical Theology, Biblical Exegesis and Biblical Languages at the Faculty of Theology, Jnana Deepa (JD), Pontifical Athenaeum of Philosophy and Theology, Pune. He is the editor of Jnanadeepa: Pune Journal of Religious Studies, AUC: Asian Journal of Religious Studies, Christ College Pune Research Series (CCPRS), and founder and editor of Wisdom Research Series (WRS). He has authored/edited 14 books and published several research articles in national and international journals and periodicals. He holds a Licentiate in Sacred Scripture (LSS) from the Pontifical Biblical Institute, Rome, a Doctorate in Old Testament Exegesis (PhD) from the University of Innsbruck, Austria, a Masters in Chemistry (MSc) from Bharathidasan University, Trichy and a Masters in Counselling Psychology (MSc) from Singhania University, Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan.