Introduction to the Wisdom Literature
The section of books we are reviewing this trimester (Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon), are often referred to as the poetic books. As you'll see below in the following excerpts, Hebrew poetry differs from our poetry today:
"Hebrew poetry did not have metre or rhyme, like the poetry of our language. It consisted rather of parallelisms, or thought rhythm, in synonymous or antithetical couplets, 'The sentiment of one line echoed in the next.' 'Sometimes the couplets being doubled, or trebeld, or quadrupled, making 2-liners, 4-liners, 6-liners, or 8-liners.'" (Haley's Bible Handbook, 24th Edition. p240)
"English poetry has rhyming words, it usually has a rhythm or meter in the syllables of each line. But Hebrew poetry is not like that. If it were the rhyming sounds and rhythm of their language that made it poetry, then its beauty would have been lost when it was translated into other languages. Instead, Hebrew poetry has rhyming thoughts. A thought is expressed, then it is repeated in different words with perhaps a little more intensity in the meaning. Or a thought is expressed, with the second line expressing an opposite contrast." (Give Us A King, The United Kingdom; by Bob and Sandra Waldron. p135)The reason we are referring to these books as the Wisdom Literature has more to do with the content of the books since we see the poetic form of writing (as described above) used in other areas of the bible when conveying wisdom. These books deal with man's approach to living successfully on earth, a truly wise topic indeed.
Most of these books were written during the "Golden Age" (Haley, p240) of Hebrew history that we call the United Kingdom (during the era of David and Solomon) except Job is generally assigned to an earlier date, and some of the Psalms are later.
Although there is overlapping subject matter, each book has it's own purpose. "The dialogues of Job explore why men serve God: is it for gain, or is it because of devotion and commitment?" "The book of Psalms was the Jewish hymnal. It contains praise and prayers couched in the most beautiful language imaginable." "Proverbs is a collection of principles and axioms containing the distilled wisdom of the ages. Such principles and axioms are found among all civilizations, but the ones included here are the principles and wisdom that God's Spirit deemed of enough value to save for guidance of all generations." "Ecclesiastes is the most philosophical of the books of wisdom literature. The author looks for meaning in life under the sun, that is, life on earth." "The Song of Solomon is a love song." (quotes from Give Us A King, p136)
Introduction to the Book of Job
"The book of Job begins and ends with a section of Prose. The first two chapters set the stage for the rest of the book by describing Job as a righteous man who had been blessed by God, and then by telling of the slander Satan made against his character. The poetic section begins in chapter 3 and continues through all the speeches that were made, through the first half of the last chapter. The last half of the last chapter returns to the style of prose, as Job is vindicated." (Give Us A King, p138)
We will review the book of Job by the following outline:
1) Satan’s Challenge: “Will Job serve God for naught?” (1:1-2:10)
2) Job’s friends come to comfort and stay to accuse (2:11-31:40)
a) The first round of speeches (3-14)
b) The second round of speeches (15-21)
c) The third round of speeches (22-31)
3) Elihu speaks (32:1-37:24)
4) God challenges Job (38:1-42:6)
5) Job is vindicated (42:7-17)
Bible Reading Assignment
For Sunday, we'll be reviewing the foundation for the rest of the book:
1) Satan’s Challenge: “Will Job serve God for naught?” (1:1-2:10)
a) His possessions and family are taken away.
b) His health is taken away.
c) But Job remains faithful to God.
2) Job’s friends come to comfort and stay to accuse (2:11-31:40)
a) Job’s friends come to comfort him (2:11-13)
Questions to prepare you for class
1. What other term is used to classify the books we are referring to as the Wisdom Literature?
2. How does Hebrew poetry differ from our poetry today?
3. What is the purpose/theme of the 5 books of wisdom?
4. Why did Satan choose to cause these problems to Job?
5. Why did God allow Satan to bring these curses to Job?
6. What terrible things happened to Job? ALL IN ONE DAY!!!
7. When all of the bad news had reached Job, what did he do?
8. Would we react like Job if this happened to us today? Could this happen to us today?
9. What excuse did Satan give for Job's faithfulness?
10. How did Satan make Job's life worse?
Note: Haley's Bible Handbook, 24th Edition; Give Us A King, The United Kingdom, by Bob and Sandra Waldron; and The Holy Bible, new King James Version, Reference Edition, Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc.were used in preparing the comments in this post.
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