Wisdom Literature

n Job n Psalms n Proverbs n Ecclesiastes n Song of Songs

Job

Job - Outline n PrologueJob 1-2 n The Friend’s DialogueJob 3-31 n Elihu’s MonologueJob n The Lord’s MonologueJob u Can you explain Nature?Job u Can you control Nature?Job u Then, Why Question Lord? n EpilogueJob 42

Job – Theology / Themes n 1. The universe is God-centered, God-governed, and God-revealing. It is not centered in or governed by human beings. n 2. Theology of Suffering. Theology of Theodicy. u Suffering is not necessarily result of sin in sufferer’s life. u Suffering is within the purposes of God. u Furthermore, suffering is often beyond our complete understanding. u Suffering can even have redemptive results purposes. (e.g., Job’s new comprehension of God, 42: 5-6) n Wisdom must be lived out reflectively, hammered out particularly on the anvil of one’s own suffering and that of others. n 3. Divine retribution--cannot wholly account for the ways of God or our own situations. n 4. God is a person not a machine, impersonal “force,” or magic. Therefore, relationship takes precidence over answers. n 5. God does not always explain himself--not accountable to humans, though He is intimately related to us.

Job – Theology / Themes n 3. Wisdom must be lived out reflectively, hammered out particularly on the anvil of one’s own suffering and that of others. n 4. Divine retribution--cannot wholly account for the ways of God or our own situations. n 5. God is a person not a machine, impersonal “force,” or magic. Therefore, relationship takes precedence over answers.

Job – Theology / Themes n 6. God does not always explain himself--not accountable to humans, though He is intimately related to us.

The Book of Psalms

Book of Psalms Where Does it Fall in the Bible? Hebrew Bible English Bible LawPentateuch ProphetsHistorical Book WritingsWritings Prophets

Book of Psalms What is the book of Psalms? Prayer Book Individual writers Incorporated into Temple life / Jesus’ life Church Life / Our Life

Book of Psalms What does the Book of Psalms teach us about Prayer? 1st Word is always God’s Prayer is a response God’s word is primary Prayer is answering language

Studying the Book of Psalms Structure of the Psalter Book I: Psalms 1-41 Book II: Psalms Book III:Psalms Book IV:Psalms Book V:Psalms Each ends with a doxology Entire book climaxes in 150

Studying the Book of Psalms 1. Musical notations Selah (71 x’s in Psalms; see Ps 3) 2. Parallelism Synonymous (comparing) Antithetic (contrasting)

Studying the Book of Psalms Synonymous Parallelism (Ps 1) Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers

Studying the Book of Psalms Antithetical Parallelism (Ps 37:21) The wicked borrows and can not pay back but the righteous is generous and gives

Studying the Book of Psalms 3. Other Literary Devices Acrostics (Ps 25, 34, 119)Acrostics (Ps 25, 34, 119) e.g. Ps stanzas of 8 verses, each line begins with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabet

Studying the Book of Psalms Superscription/Psalm Titles 134 Psalms have superscription in Hebrew text Not part of original text but do date back to antiquity Titles describe character of Psalm (e.g., Tehillah Ps. 145) Titles describe use by worshipping community (Ps. 92) Titles relate authorship (all but 50) Titles describe Psalm’s original setting (e.g., Ps. 51)

Studying the Book of Psalms 5. Types of Psalms Thanksgiving(Ps. 36, Jonah 2) Wisdom (Ps 1, 73) Royal (Ps 2, 110) Imprecatory (Ps 35, 69, 137) Lament (Ps 3, 4, 6) Messianic(Ps 8, 22)

Studying the Book of Psalms 6. Authorship of Psalms David (73) Moses (1; Ps. 90) Solomon (2; Ps. 72, 127) Asaph (12; Ps. 50, 73-83) Korah sons (10; Ps. 42, 44-45, 47-49, 84-85, 87-88) Heman (1; Ps. 88) Ethan (1; Ps. 89)

Summary of Psalms 1. Psalms as Israel’s Expression of Faith Individual and Temple Man’s word to God God’s Word to Man

Summary of Psalms 2. Psalms as Our Our Expression of Faith Prayer Personal and communal

Summary of Psalms 3. Psalms connects Our Faith with Theirs (links OT to NT) Through the Psalms, the Apostles established Jesus’ Suffering (Ps 22, 35, 41, 55, 69, 109)Jesus’ Suffering (Ps 22, 35, 41, 55, 69, 109) Jesus’ Messianic Claims (Ps 2, 72, 89, 110)Jesus’ Messianic Claims (Ps 2, 72, 89, 110) Of the 360 quotes and allusions of the OT in the NT, 112 are from the Psalms.Of the 360 quotes and allusions of the OT in the NT, 112 are from the Psalms.

Book of Proverbs

Proverbs in brief Author(s) Chapter 1-24 Solomon (See 1:1, 10:1) Chapter Probably also written by Solomon, collected by the “men of Hezekiah” ( B.C.) Chapter 30 Agur Chapter 31 King Lemuel

Proverbs in brief 1.Proverbs as Principles Proverbs are principles for life not promises from God (See Proverbs 22:6) 2. Proverbs contrasted with Psalms Psalms: Deal with Man’s relationship and worship with God Proverbs: Deal with Man’s relationship with men.

Ecclesiastes in brief Author Solomon? 1:1 The words of the Teacher, son of David, king in Jerusalem Problems with Solomon as Author Book never names Solomon Author describes oppression in the Kingdom (3:16; 4:1-3; 5:8-9). Solomon would have used his influence to implement justice. Hebrew is of much later date that 930 B.C.

Ecclesiastes in brief 1.Life is Meaningless Look for meaning in wealth, wisdom, women, and you will be disappointed 2. Fear God Meaning in found in relationship to God 3. Ecclesiastes contrasted with Proverbs Proverbs: Applies wisdom for practical benefits of godly-life Eccles: Applies wisdom for philosophical purpose of understanding the meaning of life.

Song of Songs

1. Literal interpretation - a celebration of sexual intimacy in marriage Guards against prudishness (sexless love) and promiscuity (loveless sex) 2. Spiritual interpretations – allegory or a reflection of the love between The Lord/Israel; Christ/Church; Jesus/Individual Believer Ways to Interpret Song of Songs