An Exegetical Analysis Of Numbers 31: 27 As A Panacea For Resource Control Agitation In Niger Delta

Abstract

This paper is a critical discourse on the Biblical panacea for the unending agitations for resource control in Nigeria Niger Delta. It aimed at finding out if the Biblical concept of Justice (Hebrew, צִדקָהָ ) and equity (Hebrew, מיֵשָׁר ), which are the hall marks of every society that operates under the rule of Law, have been duly applied in the Niger Delta crisis. The analyses employed Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) framework. Data gathered both from the primary and secondary sources were analyzed through the hermeneutical, descriptive and analytical methods. The findings of the paper are that Niger Delta peoples have a right to far better living condition than is on offer presently, and available data justify this claim. The paper is of the view that the Biblical concept of Justice (Hebrew, צִדקָהָ ) and equity (Hebrew, מיֵשָׁר ), as prescribed in Numbers 31: 27, can be applied in the Niger Delta agitation issue. In the light of the above findings, the paper concludes that to achieve the desired peace, anchored on the Old Testament idea there is the need to engage every oil bearing community as a stake holder in the entire process of oil exploitation in their community.