wisdom literature. n job n psalms n proverbs n ecclesiastes n song of songs

Wisdom Literature

Wisdom Literature

JobJob PsalmsPsalms ProverbsProverbs EcclesiastesEcclesiastes Song of SongsSong of Songs

Job - Outline ProloguePrologue Job 1-2Job 1-2 The Friend’s DialogueThe Friend’s Dialogue Job 3-31Job 3-31 Elihu’s MonologueElihu’s Monologue Job 32-37Job 32-37 The Lord’s MonologueThe Lord’s Monologue Job 38-41Job 38-41

Can you explain Nature?Can you explain Nature? Job 38-39Job 38-39 Can you control Nature?Can you control Nature? Job 40-41Job 40-41 Then, Why Question Lord?Then, Why Question Lord?

EpilogueEpilogue Job 42Job 42

Job – Theology / Themes 1. The universe is God-centered, God-governed, and God-revealing. It is not centered in or governed by human beings.1. The universe is God-centered, God-governed, and God-revealing. It is not centered in or governed by human beings.

2. Theology of Suffering. Theology of Theodicy.2. Theology of Suffering. Theology of Theodicy. Suffering is not necessarily result of sin in sufferer’s life. Suffering is not necessarily result of sin in sufferer’s life. Suffering is within the purposes of God.Suffering is within the purposes of God. Furthermore, suffering is often beyond our complete understanding. Furthermore, suffering is often beyond our complete understanding. Suffering Suffering cancan even have redemptive results purposes. (e.g., Job’s new comprehension of God, 42: 5-6) even have redemptive results purposes. (e.g., Job’s new comprehension of God, 42: 5-6)

Wisdom must be lived out reflectively, hammered out particularly on the anvil of one’s own suffering and that of others.Wisdom must be lived out reflectively, hammered out particularly on the anvil of one’s own suffering and that of others.

3. Divine retribution--cannot wholly account for the ways of God or our own situations.3. Divine retribution--cannot wholly account for the ways of God or our own situations.

4. God is a person not a machine, impersonal “force,” or magic. Therefore, relationship takes precidence over answers.4. God is a person not a machine, impersonal “force,” or magic. Therefore, relationship takes precidence over answers.

5. God does not always explain himself--not accountable to humans, though He is intimately related to us.5. God does not always explain himself--not accountable to humans, though He is intimately related to us.

Job – Theology / Themes 3. Wisdom must be lived out reflectively, hammered out 3. Wisdom must be lived out reflectively, hammered out

particularly on the anvil of one’s own suffering and that of particularly on the anvil of one’s own suffering and that of others.others.

4. Divine retribution--cannot wholly account for the ways of 4. Divine retribution--cannot wholly account for the ways of God or our own situations.God or our own situations.

5. God is a person not a machine, impersonal “force,” or magic. 5. God is a person not a machine, impersonal “force,” or magic. Therefore, relationship takes precedence over answers.Therefore, relationship takes precedence over answers.

Job – Theology / Themes

6. God does not always explain himself--not 6. God does not always explain himself--not accountable to humans, though He is intimately accountable to humans, though He is intimately related to us.related to us.

The Book of Psalms

Book of PsalmsBook of Psalms

Where Does it Fall in the Bible?Where Does it Fall in the Bible?

Hebrew BibleHebrew Bible English BibleEnglish Bible

LawLaw PentateuchPentateuchProphetsProphets Historical BookHistorical BookWritingsWritings WritingsWritings

ProphetsProphets


What is the book of Psalms?What is the book of Psalms?

Prayer BookPrayer BookIndividual writersIndividual writers

Incorporated into Incorporated into Temple life / Jesus’ lifeTemple life / Jesus’ lifeChurch Life / Our Life Church Life / Our Life


What does the Book of Psalms What does the Book of Psalms teach us about Prayer?teach us about Prayer?

1st Word is always God’s1st Word is always God’sPrayer is a responsePrayer is a response

God’s word is primaryGod’s word is primaryPrayer is answering language Prayer is answering language

Studying the Book of Studying the Book of PsalmsPsalms

Structure of the PsalterStructure of the PsalterBook I: Book I: Psalms 1-41 Psalms 1-41 Book II: Book II: Psalms 42-72Psalms 42-72Book III:Book III: Psalms 73-89Psalms 73-89Book IV:Book IV: Psalms 90-106Psalms 90-106Book V:Book V: Psalms 107-150Psalms 107-150

Each ends with a doxologyEach ends with a doxologyEntire book climaxes in 150Entire book climaxes in 150


1.1. Musical notationsMusical notations

• Selah (71 x’s in Psalms; see Ps 3)

2. Parallelism2. Parallelism

• Synonymous (comparing)

• Antithetic (contrasting)


Synonymous ParallelismSynonymous Parallelism (Ps 1) (Ps 1)

Blessed is the man who does not Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked walk in the counsel of the wicked

or stand in the way of sinners or stand in the way of sinners

or sit in the seat of mockersor sit in the seat of mockers


Antithetical ParallelismAntithetical Parallelism (Ps 37:21)(Ps 37:21)

The wicked borrows and can not pay backThe wicked borrows and can not pay back

but but

the righteous is generous and givesthe righteous is generous and gives


3. Other Literary Devices3. Other Literary Devices

•Acrostics Acrostics (Ps 25, 34, 119)(Ps 25, 34, 119)

e.g. Ps 119e.g. Ps 119

22 stanzas of 8 verses, each line begins 22 stanzas of 8 verses, each line begins with a different letter of the Hebrew with a different letter of the Hebrew alphabetalphabet


•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)


5. Types of Psalms5. 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)


6. Authorship of Psalms6. 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 PsalmsSummary of Psalms

1. Psalms as 1. Psalms as Israel’sIsrael’s Expression Expression of Faithof Faith

Individual and TempleIndividual and Temple

Man’s word to GodMan’s word to God

God’s Word to Man God’s Word to Man


2. Psalms as 2. Psalms as OurOur Expression of Expression of FaithFaith

PrayerPrayer

Personal and communalPersonal and communal


3. Psalms connects 3. Psalms connects OurOur Faith Faith with with TheirsTheirs (links OT to NT)(links OT to NT)

Through the Psalms, the Apostles established 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 Of the 360 quotes and allusions of the OT in the NT, 112 are from the Psalms.the NT, 112 are from the Psalms.

Book of Proverbs

Proverbs in briefAuthor(s)

Chapter 1-24

Solomon (See 1:1, 10:1)

Chapter 25-29

Probably also written by Solomon, collected by the “men of Hezekiah” (715-686 B.C.)

Chapter 30

Agur

Chapter 31

King Lemuel

Proverbs in brief1. 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 briefAuthor

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 brief1. 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

wisdom literature. n job n psalms n proverbs n ecclesiastes n song of songs

Documents

book of psalms structure

job slide

n wisdom

life slide

n epiloguejob

book iv

book v

job theology themes