As opposed to the books in the Pentateuch and history section, which are often described as long and tedious, the poetical books are often well-received by modern audiences. Known as “wisdom literature,” the books of Job through Song of Solomon were meant to teach the Israelites how to live well in a way that honored God. Even though they were written to people who lived thousands of years ago, the basic principles can still be applied today. Through stories and songs, the books of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs illustrate how to live a life pleasing to God, something still important to an audience living several centuries later.
The events in the poetical books cover a broad section of history. Scholars believe that Job lived during the time of the patriarchs in the land of Uz, located in the southwestern Canaan. Moses was probably the author of the some of the earlier Psalms, and many Psalms are attributed to King David, who reigned ca. 1011–971B.C. Some Psalms, though, were probably not written until after the exile in 587 B.C. However, the bulk of the text found in these books was likely written in Jerusalem during Israel’s united monarchy under David (ca. 1011–971B.C.) and Solomon (ca. 970–930 B.C.). This was a peak in the nations’ power, and culture often flourishes in times of prosperity.
These books also cover a fairly broad array of topics. Job is best known for its theme of suffering and musings about the reason behind seemingly undeserved pain. It begins by introducing the readers to Job, a man described as “blameless and upright…who feared God and turned away from evil” (Job 1:1) in addition to having great wealth. The author then gives the audience a luxury Job did not have through insight ...
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...d in Proverbs. It can also mean making sure God is a part of everyday life, as shown in Ecclesiastes, and it can mean saving oneself for marriage, as demonstrated by Song of Solomon.
The books of poetry are formed around general principles of how to live life in a way pleasing to God. This is true wisdom, insight that extends beyond factual knowledge. Although those who follow God do not necessarily escape pain and suffering on earth, as seen in Job, in some ways retribution theology is correct. It may not be the case presently, but ultimately the wicked will be punished and the wise will be blessed for trusting in their God.
Bibliography
Arnold, Bill T., and Bryan Beyer. Encountering the Old Testament: A Christian Survey. 2nd ed. Grand Rapids, MI: Barker Academic, 2008. Print.
ESV: Study Bible: English Standard Version. Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2007. Print.
The Bible: The Old Testament. The Norton Anthology of World Masterpieces. Ed. Sarah Lawall et al. Vol 1. 7th ed. New York: Norton, 1999. 47-97.
The Book of Job is one of the three books in the Hebrew bible whose genre is described as wisdom literature.1 Certainly the Book of Job satisfies the literary conventions that qualify a biblical book for such status. 2 Yet Job may be associated with wisdom in a much more literal sense. The Book of Job attempts to deal with a problematic question that confronts suffering humanity: why do bad things happen to good people? The variety and vehemence of commentators' contemporary responses to this chapter of the Bible is testament to the continued relevance of the Book of Job's wisdom thousands of years after it was written. Although the commentators examined herein arrive at differing and sometimes conflicting conclusions after reading the story of "the holy Arab"3, none are left indifferent.
The King James Bible serves as the world’s base belief system. The creation of the King James Bible from Tyndale’s writings on the New Testament help mode what the King James Bible is today. Psalm 23 is almost a direct copy of Tyndale’s version, but written in simpler forms for better understanding seen in Romans 1:1-3. And the poetic wisdom in The Sermon on the Mount and through the bible is very self-evident and shows Jesus not only teaching but to give visual gratification mentally. The King James Bible was formed with many literary elements and samples of other examples of God’s word put into layman’s language. The King Jams Bible was written for better understanding of the word. The bible today is the source of all knowledge of God and Jesus
Deffinbaugh, B. (n.d.). Wisdom Literature: The Psalms Part 1. Retrieved May 9, 2011, from Bible.org: http://bible.org/seriespage/wisdom-literature-psalms-part-i
Often we also see the Old Testament written in a poetic and impacting way so that it was easily remembered and passed on in the absence of formal schooling.
Harris, Stephen. Understanding The Bible. 6 ed. New York City: McGraw-Hill Humanities/Social Sciences/Languages, 2002. Print.
Ed Hindson and Gary Yates: The essence of the Old Testament: A Survey (pg. 165.) B&H Publishing Group , Nashville, Tennessee: 2012
New International Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 1997. Osborne, Grant R. Revelation. Baker Exegetical Commentary on the New Testament. Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Academic, 2002.
The book of Hebrews is directed at Christians, but it places an emphasis on those that come from Jewish descendants. This part of the Bible was written after the ascension of Christ at about A.D. 30 and before the temple in Jerusalem was destroyed in A.D. 70. It is believed Hebrews was written before the destruction of the Jerusalem because it does not include a mention of that event. This estimation in terms of when Hebrews was written based on the content. Hebrews is written in a form similar to a letter. The author of Hebrews has never been established for certain, but it has been referenced as The Epistle of Paul to the Hebrews (McCruden, 2013).
The beginnings of Judaism came about in the mid-13th century. The Hebrew Scriptures also known as the Christian Old Testament dates back between the times of 700 and 400 BCE. One of the main instructions that was given to the Hebrew people was to be monotheistic and only serve one God, however for the Hebrews this was a struggle for them to follow this guideline.
LaSor, W., Hubbard, D., Bush, F., & Allen, L. (1996). Old Testament survey: The message, form, and background of the Old Testament (2nd ed.). Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans
New Testament. Vol. 2. Edited by Gerhard Kittel. Translated by Geoffrey W. Bromiley. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1964.
The New Interpreter's Study Bible: New Revised Standard Version with the Apocrypha. Nashville: Abingdon Press, ©2003.
King Solomon, known as the wisest man in the world wrote and coauthored biblical text giving instruction on wisdom and Godly living. Proverbs, King Solomon’s first book, contains prose and poetry and to note wrote by a young King Solomon. Proverbs 21: 5 reveals, “The plans of the diligent lead to profit as surely as haste leads to poverty” (New International Version). Proverbs 16:16-17 affirms, “How much better to get wisdom than gold, to get insight rather than silver! The highway of the upright avoids evil; those who guard their ways preserve their lives”. This essay provides insight of these verses meaning and its blessing to one that adheres its principles.
The first five books of the Old Testament, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy contain the beginnings of the story of God and humanity. At a first glance each book seems not fully connect with all the others; yet with a closer look, the Pentateuch is one complete story to be read in unison. In fact, Gary Schnittjer would say that Genesis 1-12 stets the pattern for the rest of the Pentateuch’s story and form. Furthermore, the continuity between the five books raises the question of authorship. Was the Pentateuch the work of a sole-author—Moses, or is the Pentateuch a compilation of several writings put together in order to tell one story? Therefore, current scholarship on the authorship of the Pentateuch helps to answer that