Abstract
Carolyn Sharp’s new study of the book of Micah presents modern readers with an innovative and compelling exploration of the text of Micah. The commentary is part of the Illuminations series, which is ‘designed to be accessible and enjoyable,’ with an increased focus on ‘the history of conversation surrounding biblical texts’ (p. xi). Sharp’s commentary, like the others in this series, intentionally centers the ‘history of consequences’ (i.e., ‘the direct or indirect results of interpretation and reception’) of Micah in its discussion of the text (p. xii). Keeping with the theme of illumination, the commentary also includes numerous pictures of paintings and artwork that supplement the interpretation of and reflection on Micah’s significance for modern readers. The format of this commentary—as well as the rest of the commentaries in the Illuminations series—seems ideally suited for a wide audience of interested lay readers, religious leaders, and biblical scholars alike. Sharp leverages the format of the Illuminations well to bring this often-neglected biblical text to life for new generations of audiences.
The commentary on Micah consists of two parts: (1) an introduction, and (2) a commentary. The introduction provides helpful context for any study of Micah. Sharp begins by focusing on the growth of Micah, its placement within the Book of the Twelve, and the variety of textual witnesses to the book (pp. 3–23). In addition, Sharp helpfully overviews the most salient literary features of Micah, including its use of poetic devices and themes (pp. 24–41). Interested lay readers, religious leaders, and biblical scholars alike will find her discussions of the historical, textual, and literary background of Micah useful in fostering their own deeper engagement with the text.
Sharp’s introductory remarks on Micah’s historical and literary context, while beneficial, especially in their engagement with the latest research on Micah, are standard in biblical commentaries, and mirror similar conversations elsewhere. Perhaps the most helpful elements of the introduction, however, are the sections that focus on theological engagement with Micah. Sharp points to two elements of Micah that she will return to consistently throughout the commentary: (1) feminist readings of the text, and (2) ecological readings of the text (pp. 46–59). Sharp’s feminist and ecological readings of each chapter in Micah are undergirded by her own perspective and positionality as a researcher, which—unlike most commentaries in the field—she states explicitly for the reader before diving into her interpretation of the book (see pp. 47–48). Subsequent commentaries in the field would be wise to follow her lead.
In drawing upon feminist theory for her study of Micah, Sharp relies on the work of Sara Ahmed on the feminist killjoy and Marquis Bey on the concept of fugitivity. Sharp argues that modern readers can ‘claim Micah as a protofeminist killjoy’ due to the prophetic resistance prevalent throughout the text (p. 53). She appeals to the concept of the feminist killjoy as a way of ‘amplifying prophetic resistance of all kinds’ for readers, subverting patriarchal assumptions many readers have brought—and continue to bring—to the text (p. 52). According to Sharp, moreover, the figure of Micah embodies elements of fugitivity and ‘incites flight from dehumanizing violence, envisioning the possibility of other worlds’ for modern readers (p. 55). Fugitivity is an even more important concept for making sense of Micah today when the place of the earliest audience of readers and hearers within and among larger empires is taken into account. The elements of feminist theory present throughout Sharp’s exploration of Micah provide modern readers with tools to most responsibly integrate this prophetic text into their personal, congregational, and communal lives.
For Sharp, ecological justice is an important element of life today. As she notes, the current situation on Earth is perhaps best described as an ‘ecological emergency,’ which all texts—including more traditional forms of art like novels and academic works like this commentary—take into account, even if only implicitly (p. 57). Modern readers of texts like Micah (and commentaries like this one), moreover, read Micah within this same context as well. Sharp suggests that, beyond this context, Micah is ‘a wise guide for contemporary articulation of truths about the scope of human sin in our era of global warming’ and other ecological disasters (pp. 59–60). The reflection sections present throughout the commentary helpfully empower readers to learn from the text and advocate for change in their own communities of influence.
Another helpful element of the commentary’s introductory section is Sharp’s discussion of the Jewish and Christian reception of Micah throughout the centuries. Sharp exhaustively reviews the history of the interpretation of Micah chapter by chapter within these sections, first with Jewish commentators from the earliest years after Micah’s composition and compilation with the Book of the Twelve up until the modern period (pp. 60–82). Sharp’s exploration of the Christian reception history of Micah begins with its use in the New Testament, moves throughout the medieval period, and concludes by tracing the use of Micah to the present day (pp. 83–119). One particular strength of Sharp’s analysis is her helpful contextualization of the supersessionism prevalent throughout much of the Christian reflection on Micah (pp. 85–86). Her analysis and rebuke of this supersessionism in Christian thought helpfully discourage readers from taking similar interpretations today, thereby dissuading modern readers from interpretations that have led many Christians to inflict harm upon Jewish people throughout the centuries.
The commentary section makes up the bulk of Sharp’s study and provides readers with helpful analysis of the pertinent issues throughout the text. This section is broken down by chapter. Within the commentary on each chapter, Sharp follows the following structure: (1) her translation of the chapter; (2) a brief interpretation of each chapter; (3) an exploration of the reception history of the specific chapter that goes beyond what is found in her introductory section; (4) a feminist reading of the chapter; (5) an ecological reading of the chapter; and (6) a verse-by-verse commentary on textual, linguistic, and exegetical problems associated with the text. The structure of the commentary on each chapter inverts that found in many academic biblical commentary series, which begin with textual problems before moving on to exegetical and interpretive issues and, if relevant, addressing modern concerns related to reading and drawing inspiration from biblical texts today. Sharp’s structure highlights the concern she has for the responsible use of biblical texts like Micah today, especially for those within faith communities. This structure is helpful for engaging readers, giving interested lay readers and pastoral figures important textual and exegetical context, should they choose to read on within a section and take their study of a given chapter deeper.
The verse-by-verse commentary on each chapter has several strengths that will aid most interested lay readers, religious leaders, and biblical scholars in better understanding the book of Micah. First of all, the commentary does a great job of taking into account both Targumic references to Micah and translational issues between the MT and LXX of Micah (see, for example, her discussion of the translational issues with Micah 6:7, p. 350). Furthermore, the commentary helpfully draws upon other methods and other interpretive lenses where appropriate. For example, Sharp integrates disability studies into her examination of Micah 4:6, noting that, while the text is not some form ‘of ancient disability activism,’ the text nevertheless seems to possess ‘a posture of openness and generosity’ toward those with disabilities (p. 281). Moreover, the commentary does a great job of pulling together recent research relevant to the key issues in each chapter of the text. The bibliographies she provides at the end of each chapter, moreover, helpfully point the reader to further discussion of the issues.
Overall, Sharp’s commentary on Micah provides modern readers with a variety of tools to more deeply engage the text. This commentary is ideal for interested lay readers, religious figures, and scholars alike. The scholarship on Micah, moreover, will help scholars of the Book of the Twelve as they continue to explore the function of Micah within this larger collection.