The Hebrew Bible organizes the biblical writings into 3 sections: Torah (“Instruction”), Nevi’im (“Prophets”), and Kethuvim (“Writings”). From the Kethuvim is a subsection of books known as “Wisdom Literature.” Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes compose this section. This genre of writing is based on experience rather than revelation and is a collection of observations and truths. These observations and truths provide teachings that can be applicable to the reader’s life as guidance for various situations, thus similar to a scientific procedure. Through the examination of the Wisdom literature, it can be argued that Proverbs provides guidance based on an orderly world, but Job and Ecclesiastes contradict Proverbs by providing guidance due to the …show more content…
Ecclesiastes, like Proverbs, argues that doing A plus B out of fear of the Lord is the right order of life to follow, but that following this “scientific procedure” does not mean an individual can predict the outcome or is guaranteed a specific outcome (C), like Job. Ecclesiastes appears to function within not necessarily an orderly world like in Proverbs, or a world of disorder like in Job, but in a world whose order is known to God alone. There is order in the world, but it is only for God to know “As you do not know the way the spirit comes to the bones in the womb of a woman with child, so you do not know the work of God who makes everything” (Ecc. 11:5). Therefore, Ecclesiastes argues A plus B, but be satisfied with whatever outcome God provides because it is not man’s place to predict what will be given. Ecclesiastes 5:18,19 provides the main theme of the book “…what [is] good and fitting is to eat and drink and find enjoyment in all the toil in which one toils under the sun the few days of his life that God has given him, for this is his lot. Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil- this is the gift of God.” The verse says it is a gift from God for an individual to receive his time on earth, and therefore the individual should find joy during toil, as well as during wealth and prosperity. The days of prosperity and the days of adversity are equally made by God (Ecc. 7:14), therefore an individual should rejoice in all the days of his or her life (Ecc. 11:8) because there is a season for everything (Ecc. 3:1-8). However, the book does state that the only guaranteed C for an individual’s A plus B actions that is known to him/ her is judgement
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.
Walvoord, John F., Roy B. Zuck, and Norman L. Geisler. The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures. Wheaton, IL: Victor, 1983. Print.
The Hebrew Bible, better known as the Old Testament, is a collection of tomes that form part of the Biblical canon. Many scholars around the world do not think that a single author wrote the books contained in the Hebrew Bible, but rather that it represents centuries of stories frequently compiled after the events they describe . The stories were created with visions for the future, in order to allow audiences insight into communities and beliefs that were common thought during their era. The stories responded to the issues and problems of their time, but also addressed contemporary climates. While the stories themselves may not be true, they convey truth without needing literal readings. For example, the creation stories in Genesis, portray God as creating the universe, and while this is considered as not ‘literally true’; the stories communicate theological truths about mankind’s relationship with God through the eyes of Hebrew writers .
One of the main themes in Chapter Fourteen is that of morality. Cari Barney defined morality as “conformity to the rules of right conduct” (lecture). Man is “a moral being” obligated “to act according to moral principles” (McDonald, 2007, p. 165). Deep down within man’s conscience, there is the sense of knowing right from wrong and knowing God’s requirements (Romans 2:14-15). This awareness should cause all humans to strive to adhere to what God requires of us. The moral consciousness of man is within the heart (Proverbs 4:23). McDonald (2007) stated, “So man is in himself a moral being with moral obligations and responsibilities (p. 165). Man’s lifestyle should resemble biblical principles that have been instructed by God.
The Book of Job offers many complex and abstract ideas. It can also be looked at in a simple fashion, taking it as a folk tale trying to explain the unexplainable forces of fate and chance. The story is often interpreted as another strange episode of the Almighty Yahweh requiring blind faith in the midst of overwhelming and sadistic trials. A picture is painted, at first glance, of a cruel and uncaring God who is most interested in His wager with Satan on the reliability of His faithful follower Job. The ending is often overlooked in the larger picture. The trial that he suffers is for his betterment, and like the aborted sacrifice of Isaac by Abraham, it reveals the true character of God.
The Book of Job: An Attempt to Justify the Actions of a Omnipotent, Childlike God
Genesis, Job, and Antigone all discuss matters regarding the laws of god and law of man, punishments for disobedience, and the role of knowledge.
In this brief book, the presumed author Solomon dictates the idea that everything we do, outside of a God-centered worldview, is futile and unfulfilling. To begin with, there is some debate as to whom the actual author of Ecclesiastes is, but the overwhelming majority of critics deem the authorship of this book to Solomon, King David’s son, based on textual clues. It is also generally accepted that this book was written late in King Solomon’s life based on the text in chapter 12:1-7. Ecclesiastes is similar in style to several Biblical poetic books as well as in context to various ancient Near Eastern texts, which demonstrate that practical wisdom is of little value in the real world. Having been blessed with great wisdom, Solomon would have been a prime candidate to explain the futility of wisdom (Hill & Walton 458-459).
Wisdom literature is a type of writing that focuses on existential questions about God, humanity, creation, and the nature of evil and suffering. It can be a short insight like the book of Proverbs, or a dialogue like in the book of Job. Wisdom literature was written in several different cultures in the Ancient Near East, but the Bible is the best known. In all there are five books of Wisdom literature in the bible, they are: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs. One example of Wisdom literature in the Bible is the book of Job. Job is one of the most famous characters in the Bible due mostly to being known as the suffering saint. Job experiences terrible ordeals and calls out to God for an explanation. There was no simple
The relationship developed by the wisdom writers between the sacred and the secular was an inseparable relationship (“Israel's Wisdom Tradition”). Within the Wisdom Literature theology, there is the creation theology. In the Wisdom Literature, the foundation for evaluating order and the good was the belief in creation (“Israel's Wisdom Tradition”). In addition, creation represented trust (“Wisdom Themes”). When examining creation, truths about God and advice are discovered (“Israel's Wisdom Tradition”). Advice from God is discovered from everyday events, such as storing food and gathering food at harvest (New International Version,
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.
In studying the book of Proverbs there is a similar theme of choice and discernment, the teachings of decision-making and the repercussions of your actions. These books are made up of extremes and polar opposites. The dualisms are the rich and poor, the righteous and the wicked, and the wise and the foolish. There is advice given and it is up to the judgment of the person to which category they will fall into. There are two ways of living, and based on the person’s discernment and ultimate choice to which one they will get to live.
The Bible is the Word of God. It is God’s message for all of humanity. The Bible is divine revelation, breathed by God, written by men, and is applicable for all of humanity. In today’s world, there is controversy over if the inerrancy of the Bible and inspiration of the writers; however, there is little controversy over the simple fact of the New Testament, as a whole, itself. The Bible is not one long book, but rather, the Bible is a book consisting of various letters and manuscripts from throughout the history of mankind. A human being wrote every book of today’s Bible during various times in history. However, there is a classic divide in the books—Old and New Testament. The Old Testament is considered the Jewish Bible. This Bible was the original Scriptures during the time of Jesus and was the original Scriptures for many years. Therefore, not much controversy has risen over the assembly of the Old Testament.
Proverbs are not promises (as Ecclesiastes and Job emphasize) but are a call to action…wise living.
In the books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, the contrast between diligence and laziness and wisdom and folly is heavily emphasized. The books teach that in order to live righteously one must seek wisdom and live diligently. They also teach that foolish living can come from being lazy or from being imprudent. The righteous will be blessed by God while the foolish will come to their own ruin. The books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes commend the wise and diligent and condemn the lazy and foolish.