Session #6. Encountering the Poetic (& Wisdom) Books

Covering the books of Proverbs, Job & Ecclesiastes.

The example of Solomon (1 Kings 3:5-15)

“God gave Solomon wisdom & very great insight.” The example of Jesus (Matthew 7:24ff.)

“Whoever hears…& practices is like a wise person…” The example of James (James 1:5; 3:13-18)

“If any of you lacks wisdom…that comes from heaven” The example of Paul (Ephesians 5:15ff.)

“Be careful how you live, not as unwise but as wise”

“Wisdom is the basic principle in God’s revelation…in which he imparts understanding to mankind. Without it the world and human life would be devoid of meaning…It is the all-pervasive force created by God even before the world – it permeates the universe, the natural world and the social order of all human beings.”

C. Hassell Bullock

Poetic books (whose theme is wisdom):

Higher wisdom:Job (why do good people suffer)Ecclesiastes (what’s the meaning of life)

Lower wisdom:

Proverbs (right, wrong & daily decisions)Song of Songs (true love & how to nurture it)Psalms (songs – wisdom in worship & prayer)

Wisdom is practicalWisdom is everywhereWisdom is a gift from GodWisdom is a lifestyleWisdom must be chosen (Wisdom literature)Wisdom in a proverbWisdom in a songWisdom in a poem

The home

The school (of life)

The “fear of the Lord”

(personal relationship)

“Wisdom is not something you do, rather it is a way of doing things. This is born out by the bewildering variety of human endeavours mentioned in the OT in connection with wisdom…such as governing a nation, the interpretation of dreams, the construction of the Tabernacle, the management of a crisis, the efficient keeping of ones home or even so simple a matter as chopping wood. Wisdom has the advantage of giving success to those who possess it. Whatever you do – can be done with wisdom. It is invariably displayed in concrete, practical living. Wisdom is basically skill – to be wise is to be skilful at living.” (William Mouser)

“The Hebrew language has an intrinsic musical quality that is inclined naturally toward poetic expression. Beneath the translation lies a poetic beauty & grandeur that is not surpassed in any other language. Even though the English reader is at a decided disadvantage as they approach Hebrew poetry, the rhythm & meter (pattern) can be detected fairly well with persistent study.”

(Bullock)

It’s all about (1) pattern & (2) rhythmParallelism

The main feature!

Main task is to find the connection between A & B(Don’t forget) Figures of speech

Simile, Metaphor, Hyperbole, Irony, Idiom, Anthropomorphism, Personification, Rhetorical questions

Synonymous (repetition of same thought)

Antithetic (contrast between two lines – “but”)

Synthetic (2nd line completes the 1st)

Don’t forget those amazing Acrostics & Chiasms!

Remember you’re reading a poem or a song!

What do you do with poems? ReadWhat do you do with songs? SingWhat do you do with prayers? Speak

Don’t read poetry like Historical prose “He did this.”

Don’t read poetry like Law “Do this!” Don’t read poetry like Prophecy “…or else!”

Life Death

Fear of the LORD

Wisdom Folly

No of Times Concepts Appear In Bible

725

319

66

916

422

722

14

97

850

449

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

Introduction 1:1-7Parents’ reflection on wisdom 1:8-9:18Misc. proverbs by Solomon 10:1-22:16“Sayings of the wise” 22:17-24:22Hezekiah’s collection of proverbs 25:1-29:27The sayings of Agur 30:1-33The sayings of King Lemuel 31:1-9“The wife of noble character” 31:10-31

…for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight (v.2)

…for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair (v.3)

…for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young (v.4)

let the wise listen and add to their learning,        and let the discerning get guidance

…for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. (v.6)

Skill at knowing what is right & wrong“to understand what life means and where it's going”

Living a productive life“a manual for living, so we'll know how to live well and

right; learning what's just and fair”

Gaining guidance for key decisions“to teach the inexperienced the ropes and give our

young people a grasp on reality”

Learning/understanding from others mistakes“as an encyclopedia of fresh wisdom to constantly

probe and penetrate; a record of the experiences of wise men and women”

“The fear of the LORD…is essentially what we may call a personal relationship with God for, in wisdom literature, it is the description of a person’s encounter with God. The phrase capsulates the totality of ones religious faith… it is much more than just the emotion of awe & reverence. It is a comprehensive term for the worship of the LORD…the sum total of one’s relationship to God!” C. Hassell Bullock

“The fear of the LORD is the first principle of wisdom. In one form or another this truth meets us in all the wisdom books, and it is this that keeps…

The shrewdness of Proverbs from slipping into mere self-centredness

The perplexity of Job from mutiny

And the disillusionment of Ecclesiastes from final & futile despair.”

Derek Kidner

“Whoever listens to me will live in safety & be at ease, without fear of harm.” (v.33)

It will keep you from harm

It will enable you to enjoy a happy life

Father’s advice:

1. “Don’t give in” (passive) vv.10-14

2. “Don’t go along with” (active) vv. 15-19

Mother’s cry:

1. Don’t mock God!

2. Don’t despise knowledge!

3. Don’t be so simple!

“Trust in the LORD with all your heart

and lean not on your own

understanding;

in all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make your paths straight”

(direct your paths)

Prov. 3:5-6

1. WISDOM & FOLLY –THE WISE & THE FOOL

2. THE RIGHTEOUS & THE WICKED 3. LAZINESS & HARD WORK 4. WEALTH & POVERTY 5. LIFE & DEATH6. WORDS (AND THE TONGUE)7. THE FAMILY

He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the LORD. Proverbs 18:22

Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the LORD. Proverbs 19:14

A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones Proverbs 12:4

May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. Proverbs 5:18

…the smooth tongue of a wayward wife.Proverbs 6:24

…a wayward wife with her seductive words.Proverbs 2:16; 7:5

A wayward wife is like a (deep) narrow well.Proverbs

23:27

A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy day. Proverbs 27:15; 19:13

Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house with a quarrelsome wife. Proverbs 21:9; 25:24

Better to live in a desert than with a quarrel- some and ill-tempered wife. Proverbs 21:19

?A wife of noble character who can find א       She is worth far more than rubies. (10)

Her husband has full confidence in her ב       and lacks nothing of value. (11)

,She brings him good, not harm ג       all the days of her life. (12)

She selects wool and flax ד       and works with eager hands. (13)

,She is like the merchant ships ה       bringing her food from afar. (14)

;She gets up while it is still dark ו       she provides food for her family        and portions for her servant girls. (15)

;She considers a field and buys it ז out of her earnings she plants a

vineyard(16)

;She sets about her work vigorously ח       her arms are strong for her tasks. (17)

,She sees that her trading is profitable ט   and her lamp does not go out at night (18)

In her hand she holds the distaff י      and grasps the spindle with her fingers (19)

She opens her arms to the poor כ       and extends her hands to the needy. (20)

When it snows, she has no fear for her ל household; for all of them are clothed in

scarlet. (21) ;She makes coverings for her bed מ

       she is clothed in fine linen and purple. (22) Her husband is respected at the city נ

gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land (23)

,She makes linen garments and sells them סand supplies the merchants with sashes (24)

;She is clothed with strength and dignity ע     she can laugh at the days to come. (25)

,She speaks with wisdom פ and faithful instruction is on her tongue (26)

She watches over the affairs of her צ household and does not eat the bread of idleness. (27)

;Her children arise and call her blessed ק   her husband also, and he praises her: (28)

,Many women do noble things ר       but you surpass them all. (29)

;Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting ש but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised (30)

,Give her the reward she has earned ת and let her works bring her praise at the city gate (31)

She loves GodShe has integrityShe is completely trustworthyShe is diligent & hard-workingShe is wiseShe is marked by generousityShe is gracious in what she says

She is a manager & leader in the homeShe is a provider (whatever the cost)She looks for the best quality @ the best priceShe is a producer She is an investorShe has a heart for the poorShe is a teacherShe promotes & compliments her husband’s standing

The ideal husband truly appreciates his wifeThe ideal husband has confidence in his

wife’s love & loyaltyThe ideal husband has confidence in his

wife’s abilities and gives her freedom to express them

The ideal husband gives his wife the praise she deserves

A picture of a wonderful woman who…

Loves GodCares for her family & othersIs loved & valued by her husbandBalances work at home & in societyIs respected & honoured in the community

Prologue 1:1-11

Section #1. The search for satisfaction 1:12-2:26Section #2. The meaning of life 3:1-5:20Section #3. The question of suffering 6:1-8:15Section #4. The ways of wisdom & folly 8:16-12:7

Epilogue 12:8-12

“meaningless, meaningless…everything is meaningless” (NIV)

“vanity of vanities…”( ie. emptiness KJV/ NAS)“nonsense, nonsense…nothing makes sense”

(CEV)“smoke, nothing but smoke…it’s all smoke”

(The Message)

It’s not to be found in pleasures

- even if you soak yourself in them!It’s not to be found in knowledge & (human)

wisdom – even if you’re an Einstein!It’s not to be found in work & labour

- even if you drive yourself into the ground!It’s not to be found in riches & wealth

- even if you do own Microsoft or Ikea!

Where have we come from?

Why are we here?

Where are we going?

What’s the point of it all?

Friendship - 4:9-12

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work:

If one falls down, his friend can help him up.

But pity the one who falls and has no one to help them up!

Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone?

Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves.

A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

Friendship (with God) – 12:13-14

Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of everyone. For God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil.

“The words of the wise prod us to live well. They're like nails hammered home, holding life together. They are given by God, the one Shepherd.

The last and final word is this:

Fear God. Do what he tells you. And that's it!

Eventually God will bring everything that we do out into the open and judge it according to its hidden intent, whether it's good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:11-14

Prologue (1-2)Introduction 1:1-5

Two dialogues (between the Lord & Satan)1:6-2:13 Dialogue (3-37)

Job’s opening statement 31) First cycle of speeches 4-14

2) Second cycle of speeches 15-213) Third cycle of speeches 22-28

Job’s closing statement 29-31(Elihu’s speeches 32-37) Epilogue (38-42)

Two dialogues (between the Lord & Job) 38:1-42:6Conclusion 42:7-17

His identity (1:1-5)His reputation & character (1:1, 8; 2:3)His testing (23:10)His anguish & despair (3:1-26)His integrity(13:15)His faith (19:25)His humility (42:5-6)His vindication (42:7-8 “my servant Job”)

Suffering (…of the righteous)Theodicy (reconciling the existence of evil

with the goodness and sovereignty of God)Conflict between good & evil (God & Satan)The silence of GodGuidelines for counselling (ie…how not to)The testing & purging of faith

NB. When reading Job, always remember who’s speaking!

How much power does Satan really have?

(1:12ff; 2:6-7)Did Job curse God? (3:1)Why did God rebuke him? (Ch. 38-41)What did Job repent of? (42:6)

Why does a good, loving & all-powerful God permit suffering?

Where is God in suffering?