Job, Proverbs & Ecclesiastes slides for Foundations Bible School (copyright Don Palmer).

1. Session #6. Encountering the
Poetic (& Wisdom) Books
Covering the books of
Proverbs, Job & Ecclesiastes.

2.  The example of Solomon (1 Kings 3:5-15)
“God gave Solomon wisdom & very great insight.”
 The example of Jesus (Matthew 7:24ff.)
“Whoever hears…& practices is like a wise person…”
 The example of James (James 1:5; 3:13-18)
“If any of you lacks wisdom…that comes from heaven”
 The example of Paul (Ephesians 5:15ff.)
“Be careful how you live, not as unwise but as wise”

3. “Wisdom is the basic principle in God’s
revelation…in which he imparts
understanding to mankind. Without it the
world and human life would be devoid of
meaning…It is the all-pervasive force
created by God even before the world – it
permeates the universe, the natural world
and the social order of all human beings.”
C. Hassell Bullock

4. Poetic books (whose theme is wisdom):
Higher wisdom:
Job (why do good people suffer)
Ecclesiastes (what’s the meaning of life)
Lower wisdom:
Proverbs (right, wrong & daily decisions)
Song of Songs (true love & how to nurture it)
Psalms (songs – wisdom in worship & prayer)

5. Wisdom is practical
Wisdom is everywhere The home
Wisdom is a gift from God
Wisdom is a lifestyle
The school (of life)
Wisdom must be chosen
 (Wisdom literature)
The “fear of the Lord”
Wisdom in a proverb
Wisdom in a song (personal relationship)
Wisdom in a poem

6. “Wisdom is not something you do, rather it is a
way of doing things. This is born out by the
bewildering variety of human endeavours
mentioned in the OT in connection with
wisdom…such as governing a nation, the
interpretation of dreams, the construction of the
Tabernacle, the management of a crisis, the
efficient keeping of ones home or even so
simple a matter as chopping wood. Wisdom has
the advantage of giving success to those who
possess it. Whatever you do – can be done with
wisdom. It is invariably displayed in concrete,
practical living. Wisdom is basically skill – to be
wise is to be skilful at living.” (William Mouser)

7. “The Hebrew language has an intrinsic musical
quality that is inclined naturally toward poetic
expression. Beneath the translation lies a
poetic beauty & grandeur that is not
surpassed in any other language. Even
though the English reader is at a decided
disadvantage as they approach Hebrew
poetry, the rhythm & meter (pattern) can be
detected fairly well with persistent study.”
(Bullock)

8. It’s all about (1) pattern & (2) rhythm
Parallelism
The main feature!
Main task is to find the connection between A & B
(Don’t forget) Figures of speech
Simile, Metaphor, Hyperbole, Irony, Idiom,
Anthropomorphism, Personification, Rhetorical
questions

9. Synonymous (repetition of same thought)
Antithetic (contrast between two lines – “but”)
Synthetic (2nd line completes the 1st)
Don’t forget those amazing Acrostics & Chiasms!

10. Remember you’re reading a poem or a song!
 What do you do with poems? Read
 What do you do with songs? Sing
 What do you do with prayers? Speak
 Don’t read poetry like Historical prose “He did this.”
 Don’t read poetry like Law “Do this!”
 Don’t read poetry like Prophecy “…or else!”

11. Life Death
Wisdom Folly
Fear of the LORD

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13. Introduction 1:1-7
Parents’ reflection on wisdom 1:8-9:18
Misc. proverbs by Solomon 10:1-22:16
“Sayings of the wise” 22:17-24:22
Hezekiah’s collection of proverbs 25:1-29:27
The sayings of Agur 30:1-
33
The sayings of King Lemuel 31:1-9
“The wife of noble character” 31:10-31

14. …for attaining wisdom and discipline;
for understanding words of insight (v.2)
…for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life,
doing what is right and just and fair (v.3)
…for giving prudence to the simple,
knowledge and discretion to the young (v.4)
let the wise listen and add to their learning,
and let the discerning get guidance
…for understanding proverbs and parables,
the sayings and riddles of the wise. (v.6)

15. Skill at knowing what is right & wrong
“to understand what life means and where it's going”
Living a productive life
“a manual for living, so we'll know how to live well and
right; learning what's just and fair”
Gaining guidance for key decisions
“to teach the inexperienced the ropes and give our
young people a grasp on reality”
Learning/understanding from others mistakes
“as an encyclopedia of fresh wisdom to constantly
probe and penetrate; a record of the experiences of
wise men and women”

16. “The fear of the LORD…is essentially what we
may call a personal relationship with God for, in
wisdom literature, it is the description of a
person’s encounter with God. The phrase
capsulates the totality of ones religious faith… it
is much more than just the emotion of awe &
reverence. It is a comprehensive term for the
worship of the LORD…the sum total of one’s
relationship to God!” C. Hassell Bullock

17. “The fear of the LORD is the first principle of wisdom.
In one form or another this truth meets us in all the
wisdom books, and it is this that keeps…
The shrewdness of Proverbs from slipping into mere
self-centredness
The perplexity of Job from mutiny
And the disillusionment of Ecclesiastes from final &
futile despair.”
Derek Kidner

18. “Whoever listens to me will live in safety &
be at ease, without fear of harm.” (v.33)
It will keep you from harm
It will enable you to enjoy a happy life

19. Father’s advice:
1. “Don’t give in” (passive) vv.10-14
2. “Don’t go along with” (active) vv. 15-19

20. Mother’s cry:
1. Don’t mock God!
2. Don’t despise knowledge!
3. Don’t be so simple!

21. “Trust in the LORD with all your heart
and lean not on your own
understanding;
in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight”
(direct your paths)
Prov. 3:5-6

22. 1. WISDOM & FOLLY –
THE WISE & THE FOOL
2. THE RIGHTEOUS & THE WICKED
3. LAZINESS & HARD WORK
4. WEALTH & POVERTY
5. LIFE & DEATH
6. WORDS (AND THE TONGUE)
7. THE FAMILY

23. He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor
from the LORD. Proverbs 18:22
Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a
prudent wife is from the LORD. Proverbs 19:14
A wife of noble character is her husband's crown, but a
disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones Proverbs 12:4
May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the
wife of your youth. Proverbs 5:18

24. …the smooth tongue of a wayward wife.
Proverbs 6:24
…a wayward wife with her seductive words.
Proverbs 2:16; 7:5
A wayward wife is like a (deep) narrow well.
Proverbs 23:27

25. A quarrelsome wife is like a constant dripping on a rainy
day. Proverbs 27:15; 19:13
Better to live on a corner of the roof than share a house
with a quarrelsome wife. Proverbs 21:9; 25:24
Better to live in a desert than with a quarrel- some and ill-
tempered wife. Proverbs 21:19

26. ‫א‬ A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies. (10)
‫ב‬ Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value. (11)
‫ג‬ She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life. (12)
‫ד‬ She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands. (13)

27. ‫ה‬ She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar. (14)
‫ ו‬She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls. (15)
‫ ז‬She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard(16)
‫ ח‬She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks. (17)
‫ ט‬She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night (18)

28. ‫י‬ In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers (19)
‫כ‬ She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy. (20)
‫ל‬ When it snows, she has no fear for her
household; for all of them are clothed in
scarlet. (21)
‫מ‬ She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple. (22)
‫נ‬ Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders
of the land (23)

29. ‫ס‬ She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes (24)
‫ע‬ She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come. (25)
‫פ‬ She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue (26)
‫צ‬ She watches over the affairs of her
household and does not eat the bread of
idleness. (27)

30. ‫ק‬ Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her: (28)
‫ר‬ Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all. (29)
‫ש‬ Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be
praised (30)
‫ת‬ Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise
at the city gate (31)

31. She loves God
She has integrity
She is completely trustworthy
She is diligent & hard-working
She is wise
She is marked by generousity
She is gracious in what she says

32. She is a manager & leader in the home
She is a provider (whatever the cost)
She looks for the best quality @ the best price
She is a producer
She is an investor
She has a heart for the poor
She is a teacher
She promotes & compliments her husband’s standing

33. The ideal husband truly appreciates his wife
The ideal husband has confidence in his
wife’s love & loyalty
The ideal husband has confidence in his
wife’s abilities and gives her freedom to
express them
The ideal husband gives his wife the praise
she deserves

34. A picture of a wonderful woman who…
Loves God
Cares for her family & others
Is loved & valued by her husband
Balances work at home & in society
Is respected & honoured in the community

35. Prologue 1:1-11
Section #1. The search for satisfaction 1:12-2:26
Section #2. The meaning of life 3:1-5:20
Section #3. The question of suffering 6:1-8:15
Section #4. The ways of wisdom & folly 8:16-12:7
Epilogue 12:8-12

36. “meaningless, meaningless…everything is
meaningless” (NIV)
“vanity of vanities…”( ie. emptiness KJV/ NAS)
“nonsense, nonsense…nothing makes sense”
(CEV)
“smoke, nothing but smoke…it’s all smoke”
(The Message)

37. It’s not to be found in pleasures
- even if you soak yourself in them!
It’s not to be found in knowledge & (human)
wisdom – even if you’re an Einstein!
It’s not to be found in work & labour
- even if you drive yourself into the ground!
It’s not to be found in riches & wealth
- even if you do own Microsoft or Ikea!

38. Where have we come from?
Why are we here?
Where are we going?
What’s the point of it all?

39. Friendship - 4:9-12
Two are better than one,
because they have a good return for their work:
If one falls down,
his friend can help him up.
But pity the one who falls
and has no one to help them up!
Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm.
But how can one keep warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered,
two can defend themselves.
A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.

40. Friendship (with God) – 12:13-14
Now all has been heard;
here is the conclusion of the matter:
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the whole duty of everyone.
For God will bring every deed into judgment,
including every hidden thing,
whether it is good or evil.

41. “The words of the wise prod us to live well. They're like
nails hammered home, holding life together. They are
given by God, the one Shepherd.
The last and final word is this:
Fear God. Do what he tells you. And that's it!
Eventually God will bring everything that we do out into
the open and judge it according to its hidden intent,
whether it's good or evil.” Ecclesiastes 12:11-14

42.  Prologue (1-2)
Introduction 1:1-5
Two dialogues (between the Lord & Satan)1:6-2:13
 Dialogue (3-37)
Job’s opening statement 3
1) First cycle of speeches 4-14
2) Second cycle of speeches 15-21
3) Third cycle of speeches 22-28
Job’s closing statement 29-31
(Elihu’s speeches 32-37)
 Epilogue (38-42)
Two dialogues (between the Lord & Job) 38:1-42:6
Conclusion 42:7-17

43. His identity (1:1-5)
His reputation & character (1:1, 8; 2:3)
His testing (23:10)
His anguish & despair (3:1-26)
His integrity(13:15)
His faith (19:25)
His humility (42:5-6)
His vindication (42:7-8 “my servant Job”)

44. Suffering (…of the righteous)
Theodicy (reconciling the existence of evil
with the goodness and sovereignty of God)
Conflict between good & evil (God & Satan)
The silence of God
Guidelines for counselling (ie…how not to)
The testing & purging of faith
NB. When reading Job, always remember who’s speaking!

45. How much power does Satan really have?
(1:12ff; 2:6-7)
Did Job curse God? (3:1)
Why did God rebuke him? (Ch. 38-41)
What did Job repent of? (42:6)
Why does a good, loving & all-powerful God permit
suffering?
Where is God in suffering?