Introduction to the Bible Lesson 18: Wisdom literature Introduction to Wisdom Literature 1. Christian tradition divides the OT into four genres: Pentateuch, Historical, Wisdom, and Prophetic. 2. Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job are included in the Christian tradition of Wisdom Literature. Some also include Song of Songs and even a few of the Psalms (1, 119). 3. General characteristics of Wisdom Literature: They deal with subjects that are universal and timeless, and they do so on an individual basis (not nations). a. The fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10). b. The problem of suffering (Job). c. Common sense maxims (Proverbs 22:1; 11:22; 23:20-21). 4. Questions to address a. What does it mean to live well and wisely? b. What do you do when life doesn’t work out? c. What will God do if I try to do the right thing? Proverbs ◼ The book is a collection of several groups of Proverbs composed by different authors. You see the breakdowns here: Proverbs 1:1; 10:1; 22:17; 24:23; 25:1; 30:1; 31:1. ◼ The Proverbs were the first memes. ◼ The Proverbs were probably used for educational purposes. o The verses are short, easy to memorize, and repetitive. o Many are addressed to the young: 1:8; 1:15; 3:1; 3:21; 4:1; 4:10; 5:1; 5:7; 21:1, etc. o Most verses stand on their own, although there are examples of a single subject being built on. ▪ Proverbs 5, 7 – warning against adultery ▪ Proverbs 8 – love of wisdom ◼ Common themes o Wisdom and folly o Virtue and vice o God and humans ◼ Human wisdom is described in both male and female terms. o Male: Proverbs 1-9 contains wisdom from a father to his son. It is divine wisdom from God being shared by the elders. The newest is not always the best. If it’s old you can trust it. There is authority in the ancient.
o Female: Wisdom is the young idealistic lady teacher who is really smart. Proverbs 31 describes the ultimate woman we should all pay attention to. Job ◼ The implied cultural setting indicates it’s an older book, although its author and date of composition are unknown. ◼ Job is probably the oldest book in the Bible. Job is not an Israelite. Job is an everyman. ◼ Job is written as a poetic dialogue between Job, his wife, and his four friends. Job is often portrayed as the quiet one listening and observing his friends fight it out. ◼ He is an older man who has seen a lot and worked through both the idealism of Proverbs and the sarcasm of Ecclesiastes. He believes God is trustworthy because of the journey God has walked with him. He will not curse God (Job 2:9). ◼ God speaks in Job 1-2 and is then silent until Job 38:1. o God asks Job 64 questions. o The epilogue (Job 42:7-17) provides some vindication to Job. (Vs. 11 – Where were all these brothers and sisters earlier?). ◼ Theme: The problem of human suffering. Why do the righteous suffer? o I remember a quote: The question isn’t why some Christians suffer. It’s why some Christians don’t. o Suffering is not necessarily a result of previous sin. o There are mysteries to God beyond the human capacity to understand. o God does not give Job an answer to suffering. He just gives Job His presence. ◼ The Hebrew view of God. o There is only one God. o He is just. Creative tension between Wisdom Literature books ◼ Contrast: o Proverbs 13:9 – “The light of the righteous shines brightly but the light of the wicked is snuffed out.” The point: Be wise and things turn out all right. o Job 21:17 – “Why do the wicked live on, growing old and increasing in power?” Job’s point: Will the lamp of the wicked be put out? If it’s not a guaranteed system, then what is the point? ◼ These views are not contradictory but held in tension. ◼ Wisdom literature provides a back-and-forth dialogue on truth and reality. Its purpose is to compel us toward an honest faith that is willing to acknowledge the presence of doubt and questions that defy an easy answer. ◼ Discuss: In Job 1, Job’s trouble was God’s idea. How do we deal with this tension?