OldTestament Wisdom Literature:
Proverbs, Job,Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon
I. Introduction
A. Purposes of the Course
1. That we may grow in ourknowledge of the Bible and in enhusiasm for God and His word.
2. That we may learn moreabout the so‑called "wisdom books" of the Bible, some of whichare rather neglected.
3.That we may begin to apply these teachings to our own lives.
B. Course Mechanics: see previous page
1.Why will we study the wisdom books in this order (which is not same as inBible)?
TheBible order is probably more or less chronological in regard to time oforiginal writing.
Wewill follow order: Proverbs, Job, Eccl, Song of Solomon, because:
a.more familiar to less
b.easier to harder (more or less)
c.more general to more specific
2.The Books briefly characterized:
a.Proverbs: collection of teachings on all of life, not just religious aspects;emphasis on basic principles.
b.Job: more specific, dealing with particular problem where basic principlesdon't seem to work; regarding suffering of good people, and God's part in this.
c.Ecclesiastes: more general than Job, but also deals with problem areas:futility in the world; apparent meaninglessness of life.
d.Song: specific and particular: love relation between man and woman asexperienced by Solomon.
C. Introduction to the Wisdom Literature
1.The Word "Wisdom"
-‑applied to these books, esp Job, Prov, Eccl,
becausethey contain about 2/3 of times (312x) "wisdom" occurs in OldTestament
‑‑these books also use many synonyms of "wisdom":
e.g.,"knowledge," "discernment"
‑‑word "wisdom" is very broad in Hebrew;
coversall of life, not just intellect
includespractical and moral as well, e.g.:
skillin working w/ hands
shrewdnessin dealing w/ people
wisdomin making decisions
discernmentin recognizing good & evil
experiencein human life
2.The Purpose of the Wisdom Literature
[bestseen in the introduction to Proverbs (1:1‑6)]
a.To impart wisdom to reader
vv2‑4 use terms: wisdom, understanding, instruction, wise behavior,discretion, prudence
v3b more specific:
righteousness‑ right living
justice/judgment‑ right decisions
equity– fairness
b.To help both beginner & advanced (4‑5)
v4: naive and young
v5: wise (presumably mature)
c.To train reader in understanding certain types of speech (v 6):
proverb,figure, words of wisdom, riddle
3.Wisdom Literature as Poetry
a.Most is in poetic form:
(1)all of Proverbs, Song
(2)much of Job, Ecclesiastes
b.Poetry little used now in Western culture except in song
(1)partly due to rules of English poetry, making poetry difficult to compose
(2)partly due to technology, emphasis on literal
c.Hebrew poetry compared with English poetry
(1)Rhyme: lines end with similar sounds; common to English, rare to Hebrew
(2)Alliteration: words begin with similar sounds;
lesscommon in English (except very old English poetry), less common in Hebrew (someacrostics)
(3)Meter: system of accented and unaccented syllables to give poetry a"beat"; even more common than rhyme in English; Hebrew poetry mayhave had meter, but if so, scheme not known today
(4)Parallelism: lines are parallel in meaning;
commonto Hebrew, rare to English (except as occasional rhetorical device; so morecommon in English speech-making than poetry)
(5)Speech Figures: common to both
[items(1)‑(3) hard to translate; (4)‑(5) easy, so Hebrew poetrytranslates well into other languages]
d.Parallelism: kind of a "rhyme" of meaning
usuallyinvolves two lines which are parallel in meaning in some way
traditionalcategories, illustrated from Psalms:
(1)Synonymous: repeats idea in different words
Ps2:1,2a,3:
Psa 2:1 (NIV) Why do the nations conspire
and the peoples plot in vain?
2 The kings of the earth take their stand
and the rulers gather together
against the LORD
and against his Anointed One.
3 "Let us break their chains," they say,
"and throw off their fetters."
(2)Antithetical: two lines contrast
Ps1:6 (very common in Proverbs)
Psa 1:6 (NIV) For the LORD watches over the way of therighteous,
but the way of the wicked will perish.
(3)Synthetic: 2nd line builds on first
Ps1:1,3
Psa 1:1 (NIV) Blessed is the man
who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked
or stand in the way of sinners
or sit in the seat of mockersÉ
3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.
thesecategories don't cover whole field
[betterto say 2nd line adds something to 1st, sometimes by way of emphasis, contrast,further development, etc.]
e.Figures of Speech: make speech/poetry vivid, pictoral, memorable, sometimesjust for beauty
(1)Simile: a comparison in which writer tells you he is making such by his use of"as, like": Ps 1:3,4 ‑ tree, chaff
Psa 1:3 (NIV) He is like a tree planted by streams of water,
which yields its fruit in season
and whose leaf does not wither.
Whatever he does prospers.
4 Not so the wicked!
They are like chaff
that the wind blows away.
(2)Metaphor: a comparison in which writer doesn't tell you; just says this thing"is" that:
Ps22:6 ‑ worm; Ps 23:1 – shepherd
Psa 22:6 (NIV) But I am a worm and not a man,
scorned by men and despised by the people.
Psa 23:1 (NIV) The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be inwant.
(3)Metonymy: change of name; one name is used for another because they are somehowassociated: Ps 24:6 – Jacob (for nation)
Psa 24:6 (NIV) Such is the generation of those who seekhim,
who seek your face, O God of Jacob.
(4)Synecdoche: like (3), but part for whole or whole for part: Prov 5:5; 6:4; 6:16‑18
Prov 5:5 (NIV) Her feet go down to death;
her steps lead straight to the grave.
(5)Personification: treating a thing as though it were a person:
Ps24:7 ‑ gates, doors
Psa 24:7 (NIV) Lift up your heads, O you gates;
be lifted up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.
(6)Euphemism: using a more pleasant word for something harsh:
Job2:9 ‑ bless (for curse)
Job 2:9(NIV) His wife said to him, "Are you still holding on to your integrity?Curse God and die!"
(7)Hyperbole: exaggeration to produce proper effect (like caricature incartooning):
Matt23:24 – camel
Matt 23:24 (NIV) You blind guides! You strain out a gnatbut swallow a camel.
(8)Irony: saying opposite of what is meant (verbally detectable by tone of voice):
Job12:2
Job 12:2(NIV) "Doubtless you are the people,
and wisdom will die with you!
II. The Book of Proverbs
A. Definition of "Proverb"
1.English usage:
"Ashort saying in common use that strikingly expresses some obvious truth orfamiliar experience."
Theseare typically not poetic, merely "one‑liners"
"Astitch in time saves nine."
"Wherethere's smoke there's fire."
"Curiositykilled the cat."
"Stillwaters run deep"
"Emptywagons make the most noise."
A few are poetic in structure:
"Earlyto bed, early to rise,
Makesa man healthy, wealthy and wise."
Proverbsare often designed to be generalized by extension from a very specificstatement (consider first group above).
Oftenthey use figures of speech:
Notehow "curiosity" personified, above
2.Hebrew usage:
Hebrewword for proverb is mashal"derived from the verb "to compare"
Usageis broader than English, and includes parable, paradox, riddle, and taunt.
Thereare a few one‑line proverbs in OT, e.g., 1 Sam 24:13,
1 Sam 24:13 (NIV) As the old saying goes, `From evildoerscome evil deeds,' so my hand will not touch you.
butthere are none of these in Book of Proverbs
B. Types of Proverbs in the Book of Proverbs
1.The Two‑Line Proverb (technical name "distich")
simplest,often use standard types of Hebrew parallelism
a.Synonymous: 11:25; 16:11
Prov 11:25 (NIV) A generous man will prosper;
he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
b.Antithetical: 11:1,3,6
Prov 11:1 (NIV) The LORD abhors dishonest scales,
but accurate weights are his delight.
c.Synthetic:
(1)Two related ideas: 11:29; 16:17
Prov 11:29 (NIV) He who brings trouble on his family willinherit only wind,
and the fool will be servant to the wise.
(2)2nd line completes 1st w/ reason, proof, consequence:
11:31;23:9; 24:10
Prov 11:31 (NIV) If the righteous receive their due onearth,
how much more the ungodly and the sinner!
d.Parabolic: draws a comparison
10:26;11:22; frequent in chapter 26
Prov 10:26 (NIV) As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to theeyes,
so is a sluggard to those who send him.
2.More Complex Forms
a.Even number of lines
four,six and eight‑line proverbs common
givemore room to develop idea
oftencannot be broken down into distichs
4‑line:26:4‑5; 24:19‑20, 21‑22
Prov 26:4 (NIV) Do not answer a fool according to hisfolly,
or you will be like him yourself.
5 Answer a fool according to his folly,
or he will be wise in his own eyes.
6‑line:23:1‑3; 24:11‑12
Prov 23:1 (NIV) When you sit to dine with a ruler,
note well what is before you,
2 and put a knife to your throat
if you are given to gluttony.
3 Do not crave his delicacies,
for that food is deceptive.
8‑line:23:22‑25
Prov 23:22 (NIV) Listen to your father, who gave youlife,
and do not despise your mother when she is old.
23 Buy the truth and do not sell it;
get wisdom, discipline and understanding.
24 The father of a righteous man has great joy;
he who has a wise son delights in him.
25 May your father and mother be glad;
may she who gave you birth rejoice!
b.Odd number of lines
rarer,usually 3 lines
adistich with one line doubled
22:29;24:27; 27:10
Prov 22:29 (NIV) Do you see a man skilled in his work?
He will serve before kings;
he will not serve before obscure men.
only a few five‑line
23:4‑5
Prov 23:4 (NIV) Do not wear yourself out to get rich;
have the wisdom to show restraint.
5 Cast but a glance at riches, and they are gone,
for they will surely sprout wings
and fly off to the sky like an eagle.
oneseven‑line
23:6‑8
Prov 23:6 (NIV) Do not eat the food of a stingy man,
do not crave his delicacies;
7 for he is the kind of man
who is always thinking about the cost.
"Eat and drink," he says to you,
but his heart is not with you.
8 You will vomit up the little you have eaten
and will have wasted your compliments.
c.Mashal Songs
longerproverbial poems
amixture of shorter types developing one subject
samples:
Wisdom'sInvitation ‑ chapter 8
Dangersof Drink ‑ 22:29‑35
TheExcellent Wife ‑ 31:10‑31
C. Authorship of Proverbs
Like book of Psalms, largely but not entirely byone author; according to text itself:
1. Solomon (1:1; 10:1; 25:1)
2. Agur the Son of Jakeh (30:1)
3. King Lemuel (31:1)
4. Other wise men (22:17?; 24:23)
Date:
Knownothing about authors 2‑4; Solomon reigned about 970‑930 BC
25:1places complete collection no earlier than time of Hezekiah (c 700 BC)
D. Outline of Proverbs
(from Franz Delitzsch)
1.Introduction (1:1‑6)
purposeof Proverbs: moral, intellectual
2.Hortatory (Exhortation) Discourses (1:7‑9:18)
mostlythe longer Mashal songs
presumablyby Solomon (not explicit)
15discourses:
12have father or teacher as speaker
3have Wisdom personified as speaker
3.First Collection of Solomon's Proverbs (10:1‑22:16)
almostall are 2‑line proverbs
majorityare antithetical
4.Appendix A: Words of the Wise (22:17‑24:22)
includesall types, from 2‑line to Mashal songs
apparently30 sayings (22:20)
5.Appendix B: More Words of the Wise (24:23‑34)
similarto #4, above
6.Second Collection of Solomon's Proverbs (25:1‑29:27)
collectedby men of Hezekiah
notall 2‑line, as in 1st collection
majorityare parabolic proverbs
7.Appendix C: The Words of Agur sonof Jakeh (30:1‑33)
variouskinds of proverbs
severalnumerical (Middah)proverbs
8.Appendix D: The Words of KingLemuel (31:1‑9)
advicefrom his mother
9.Appendix E: Ode to a VirtuousWoman (31:10‑31)
analphabetic acrostic, each verse beginning with a successive letter of theHebrew alphabet
E. Some Selected Proverbs
1.Prov 1:7: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge..."
prettymuch the theme of the whole book
cpJob 28:28; Ps 111:10; Prov 9:10; 15:33
2.Prov 1:20‑33: Wisdom is personified, inviting people to listen;
cpProv 8‑9; note consequences of ignoring her
3.Prov 6:16‑19: numerical proverb on things God hates
useof human anatomy in descending order
4.Prov 14:1‑16: a miscellany of 2‑line proverbs on a variety ofsubjects
5.Some proverbs on the poor:
14:31;19:17; 22:2
6.Prov 23:29‑35: the dangers of drink
notestructure, repetitions
notequotations in v 35
7.Prov 24:30‑34: laziness
meansof production allowed to decay
8.Prov 27:1‑10: more miscellaneous proverbs
9.Prov 30: words of Agur
30:7‑9:plea for moderate circumstances
30:24‑28:four that are wise yet small
III. The Book of Job
A. Introduction
With Job and Eccl we moveinto that wisdom literature which deals with special problems.
Proverbs deals with theapplication of wisdom to everyday affairs, with the prosperity produced (otherthings being equal) by living in accordance with God's word.
Job deals with the problem ofsuffering in something of its most extreme form (most righteous man living, seriesof disasters that few other have ever experienced).
B. Authorship
The Bible does not tell us who wrote Job.
Tradition: author is Job
don'tknow if tradition based on any real evidence
Other possibilities:
SinceJob not an Israelite, question raised how it got in Bible; don't know answertoday, but book accepted as Scripture as far back as we have any evidence; perhapsauthor was Moses or Solomon.
Liberalsoften suggest multiple authorship with conflicting viewpoints; this reducesmessage to triviality, doesn't explain how combination has a powerful messageand strong unity.
C. Date of Job
1.Date of Writing Book
Don'treally know
Ithas been dated from before time of Moses (perhaps 1700 BC) to after Exile(about 300 BC).
2.Date of Events
Somedeny its historicity, but depth of experience pictured surpasses anything elsein ancient literature.
Cultureof book (esp chs 1‑2) and Job's lifespan (42:16) look like patriarchalage (few centuries around 2000 BC), but incident not set in Canaan, so might belater.
Chaldeansas raiders would favor before 1000 BC.
Ezk14:14,20 mentions Job as outstanding figure of righteousness, so presumablyevents before c 600 BC.
Probably2nd millennium BC (2000‑1000 BC)
D. Setting of Book
1.Land of Uz
Mentionedin Jer 25:20 in context w/ Judah, Egypt, Philistia, Edom, Moab, Ammon, Tyre,Sidon, coastlands, so apparently near Israel.
Lam4:21 seems to put Edom as part of Uz, tho Jer 25:20‑21 makes distinctionbetween two; Smick suggests term applies to tribes E of Palestine from Aram toEdom.
2.Geography, Culture
Eof Palestine (1:3), edge of desert (1:17 camels, 1:19 wind)
Butfarming area (1:3 possessions; 1:14 oxen. plowing, donkeys; 1:16 sheep)
Livein houses (1:4; 1:19, rather than tents); near a town (29:7)
Chaldeans(1:17) ‑ located NE of Palestine
Sabaeans(1:15) ‑ located S of Palestine (= Sheba)
E. The Actors of the Book
(8 speakers, not counting messengers)
1.God
2.Satan
3.Job
4.Job's wife
5.Eliphaz of Teman (see Gen 36:11,34), a town in Edom (Ob 9, Ezk 25:13)
6.Bildad of Shuah (Gen 25:2) associated with Midianites
7.Zophar of Naamath (town in S Pal)
8.Elihu the Buzite (Buz, Gen 22:21, a son of Nahor, Abraham's brother)
F. Outline of Job
(following Smick in ZPEB)
1.Prologue (1:1‑2:13)
a.Job prosperous (1:1‑5)
b.Job tested (1:6‑2:13)
2.Dialogues (3:1‑42:6)
a.Job curses the day of his birth (3:1‑26)
b.1st cycle of speeches (4:1‑14:22)
c.2nd cycle (15:1‑21:34)
d.3rd cycle (22:1‑31:40)
e.Elihu's speeches (32:1‑37:24)
f.God's questions (38:1‑42:6)
3.Epilogue (42:7‑17)
a.Job vindicated (42:7‑9)
b.Job restored (42:10‑17)
G. Content of Job in Some Detail
1.Prologue (chs 1‑2)
Jobmost righteous man alive (1:1,8)
andone of the most wealthy (1:2‑3)
(bothimportant to plot)
1stTest (1:6‑22)
veryimportant to remember none of earthbound actors know this
Satan'scharge: Job doesn't really care for God but likes the pay; whole of bookstructured around Satan's claim: take these things away and Job will curse God toHis face
soJob loses property and children
(wifeleft to play future role)
Jobpasses the test (1:22; 2:3)
2ndTest (2:1‑10)
Satan'scharge: doesn't admit defeat
Jobcares for self more than for God
soJob loses health and support of wife
Jobstill holds firm
3rd,4th, 5th... Tests (2:11ff)
notexplicit, but book of Job best understood as continuation of testing, in whichJob loses sympathy of old friends, loses argument to young whippersnapper,loses support of God
friendscome to sympathize and comfort, and start out very well
2.Job's Lament (chapter 3)
cursesthe day of his birth (vv 3‑10)
whydidn't he die at birth, at least would have rest (11‑19)
whydoes God allow sufferers to continue living? (20‑26)
3.First Cycle of Debate (chs 4‑14)
a.Eliphaz (chs 4‑5)
beginsw/ compliment (4:3‑4) but quickly becomes rebuke (4:5)
simplemoral view of suffering (4:7‑9)
butemphasizes destruction of wicked!
man'ssinfulness revealed to him (4:17‑21)
advisesJob to seek God (5:8ff)
acceptGod's correction & he will restore (5:17‑27)
b.Job (chs 6‑7)
notdirect answer but continued lament, now turning to God & asking that hemight die (6:8‑9), but refusing to deny God's word (6:10)
rebukesfriends for not comforting him, charging they are afraid to (6:14‑23)
challengesthem to show him his error (6:24‑30)
turnsback to God (ch 7), lamenting man's condition and his own (5), accusing God oftormenting him (11ff)
c.Bildad (ch 8)
Joba windbag (2), God not unjust (3)
Job'schildren got what they deserved (4)
Ifyou seek God & do right, he will deliver (5‑10, 20‑22)
fateof the wicked (11‑19)
d.Job (chs 9‑10)
true,but how can a man be just before God; can't possibly win argument w/ Him (ch 9)
problemof lack of mediator (9:33)
turnsto God to plead w/ Him, asking for relief & for reason for suffering (ch10); let me know (10:2)
e.Zophar (ch 11)
Joba liar; God knows how wicked Job is and Job is getting better than he deserves(1‑12)
repentand God will restore you (13‑20)
f.Job (chs 12‑14)
rebuketo friends for lack of understanding & sympathy (12:2‑5)
Godcontrols everything, overthrows men (12:7‑25)
warnsfriends against bias favoring God (13:4‑12)
asksto plead own case before God (13:3,14‑28, esp 21‑22)
manis transitory (14:1‑6), cp w/ tree (7‑12)
praysfor death (14:13‑22)
4.Second Cycle of Debate (chs 15‑21)
a.Eliphaz (ch 15)
Jobshows true colors in speech to God (2‑6)
Jobis foolish and men are sinful (7‑16)
lifeof wicked even on earth is disastrous (17‑39)
b.Job (chs 16‑17)
friendsnot much comfort (16:2)
easyto blast (4),
shoulddo more comforting (5)
Jobtorn by God's anger (6‑16) tho innocent (17)
callson God (18‑22)
Jobdescribes his desolation (ch 17)
c.Bildad (ch 18)
endof wicked is ruinous
d.Job (ch 19)
whydo friends add to persecution? (1‑22)
Godis doing enough without your help!
Jobwill be vindicated, tho it be after his death (23‑29)
e.Zophar (ch 20)
whatthe wicked will inherit from God
(w/hint that Job falls into this class)
f.Job (ch 21)
youare wrong! wicked often prosper (7‑26),
thothey will finally be paid back (30)
5.Third Cycle of Debate (chs 22‑26)
a.Eliphaz (ch 22)
doesrighteousness earn us anything w/ God? (2‑3)
butJob is a great (secret) sinner (4‑20)
turnback to God & you will prosper (21‑30)
b.Job (chs 23‑24)
appealsto God, confident of vindication (23)
whydoes God allow wickedness to continue, tho no one has security? (24)
c.Bildad (ch 25, very short)
howcan man be just before the mighty God?
d.Job (ch 26)
howdoes this help me? I know God isalmighty
6.Job's Summation (chs 27‑31)
a.Toward Friends (chs 27‑28)
willnot deny own condition and declare friends right (27:1‑12)
thewicked will not ultimately prosper (27:13‑23, esp 19‑20)
menseek treasure in strange places, but cannot find wisdom; God has it & mencan get it only by fearing Him (ch 28)
b.Toward God (chs 29‑31)
Joblongs for his former prosperous state (29)
notev 18, how he had expected to die
Job'spresent wretched state (30)
Jobprotests his innocence (31) and rests his case (31:40)
7.Elihu's Speeches (chs 32‑37)
a.Introduction (ch 32)
reasonfor speaking (2‑3): angry w/ Job & friends
sourceof knowledge (7‑9): God
noflattery (21‑22) (cp 13:7‑10, Job's charge against friends)
b.Answering Job's Charges (chs 33‑35)
(1)1st charge (33)
arrangementbasically what Job wanted
charge:"I am innocent, God afflicting me"
cp10:7; 13;24,27, etc
answer:
Godis greater than man, doesn't owe explanation (12‑13)
God'srevelation is to save from disaster (14‑33)
(2)2nd charge (34)
charge:"I am innocent, God is unjust; what is use of serving God?" cp13:18; 27:2; 9:20,22; 21:7,15
answer:
Godis just, so men will get what they deserve (10‑12)
Noone commissioned God, so He is accountable to no one (13‑30)
Itis best to respond favorably to God's chastisement (31‑32)
ShouldGod do things the way we like? (33)
(3)3rd charge (35)
charge:"(If this is my reward), what advantage to me to do right?" cp9:30‑31
answer:
Whatadvantage to God if you do good or evil? (6‑7)
Ofcourse, your actions affect others & they may call on God (8‑9)
Godwon't listen to you if you don't acknowledge Him (10‑13)
ButHe will still judge (14‑15)
c.Elihu's Defense of God (chs 36‑37)
(1)God's Justice (36:1‑23)
Heis righteous (3), omniscient (4), despises no one (5)
Heraises up the good & puts down wicked (6‑7)
Righteouspeople are afflicted to show them their sin and to discipline them (8‑10)
You,too, will be delivered if you react properly (15‑23)
(2)God's Power (35:24‑37:24)
Servesto introduce God's appearance in whilrlwind (note increasing allusions to weather)
Godis exalted & we don't know Him (36:26)
Byweather He judges & gives food (36:31ff)
8.God's Speech from Whirlwind (chs 38‑41)
a.First Speech (chs 38‑39)
charge(38:2): who darkens counsel by words w/o knowledge?
(supportsElihu's charge, 35:16)
conditionsof trial (3): I will ask, you answer
(answeringJob's request, 13:3,20‑22)
questions:
Job'signorance & weakness demonstrated in events of creation (4‑11)
inpresent physical phenomena (12‑38)
inpresent biological phenomena (38:39‑39:30)
Job'sresponse (40:3‑5): (beginning to see) won't answer
b.Second Speech (chs 40‑41)
charge(8): will you condemn Me to justify yourself?
(supportsElihu, 34:5,9)
questions:Job's weakness demonstrated
canyou do what is necessary to judge? (8‑14)
canyou even control Behemoth? (15‑24)
hippo?(note v 19)
canyou even control Leviathan? (ch 41)
crocodile?(note vv 10‑11)
Job'sresponse (42:1‑6): repents and acknowledges his own ignorance and God'spower
9.Epilogue (42:7‑17)
a.God and Job's Friends (7‑9)
angrywith 3 friends for not speaking right
(nothingabout Elihu)
hasthem offer sacrifice through Job and get his intercession
b.God and Job's Restoration (10‑17)
afterrepentance and intercession for friends
otherfriends troop back & family restored
longlife and prosperity twice that before
H. Some Lessons for Us
1.A subtle book!
Job'sfriends say much that is right, but are condemned
Jobsays much that is wrong but is vindicated
Goddoesn't tell Job about Satan nor answer his questions
Nocomment on Elihu
Job'smood changes back & forth during his long speeches
2. Modern ideas ofprogress are mistaken when used to dismiss the ancients as dumb andunsophisticated.
3.Even the most righteous person on earth may undergo seemingly senselesssuffering.
4. This suffering canserve a valuable purpose in giving that person more understanding about God.
5. There is a vast unseenworld which produces effects on earth, but its causes and purposes are notvisible.
6.Persecution may thus occur when no human persecutor is involved.
7. Behind the wicked,destructive work of Satan there is the righteous work of God, who uses evenSatan as a tool for His own higher purposes.
8.The only proper resonse to suffering is humility and repentance (Ps 138:6; Prov22:4).
9. We need to avoid themistakes of Job's friends in comforting and counseling the afflicted (1 Sam16:7; Job 12:5; 16:2‑5).
10.Don't be so quick to defend God that we distort the truth (Job 42:7; 13:4‑12).
IV. Ecclesiastes
A. Authorship and Date
1.Authorship ‑ Solomon
Nearlyall liberals and many conservatives deny work by Solomon (e.g., conservativesHengstenberg, Delitzsch, Leupold, Young).
Denialusually based on 1:16: "all in Jerusalem before me";
1:12"I was king over Israel in Jerus";
plus"non‑royal viewpoint" of 4:13; 10:17 and 10:20
Butall these are answerable
claimsof 1:1 (son of David, king in Jerus)
and2:9 (greater than all predecessors in Jerus) only fit Solomon
Ifnot Solomon, have to assume writer is impersonating Solomon
2.Date ‑ late in Solomon's life, say 940 BC or later
Conservativeswho deny Sol author suggest 5th cen BC
Liberalsusually suggest 3rd cen BC, due to parallels with Epicurean philosophy: eat,drink, be merry
Archer(Zondervan Pict Encyc of Bible)suggests linguistic evid closest to Phoenician materials; Solomon had closeties with Phoenicians (Tyre, etc.)
Commentsof book suggest author old, so late in Sol's life, say 940‑930 BC
B. Various Approaches to Ecclesiastes
1.Liberal Approaches
a.Unified authorship but uninspired (minority)
b.At least two authors (majority view)
morepious editor tones down book
(likeJerry Falwell editing book by Madeline Murray O'Hare!)
2.Conservative Approaches
a.Inspired record of uninspired ideas
OldScofield: "Inspiration sets down accurately what passes, but theconclusions and reasonings are, after all, man's"
NewScofield: "The philosophy which it sets forth, which makes no claim torevelation, but which inspiration records for our instruction..."
b.Inspired revelation like rest of Scripture
claimsof book: 12:9‑11
parallelmaterial elsewhere in OT: Ps 90; Ps 39:5
apparentlycited in Rom 8:20: creation subjected to futility
thisgives insight into approach of book:
futilityas a result of man's fall into sin
C. Content of Ecclesiastes
1.Chapter 1
a. Title (1): Qoheleth ‑ unusual feminine form, occurs nowhereelse but Eccl; presumablyderived from Qahal ‑congregation; so means preacher?
teacher?
b.Theme (2): all is vanity
futility,emptiness, occasionally "meaningless"
probablyÒempty, emptinessÓ is best translation
c.Futility of existence (3‑11)
whatadvantage "under sun"?
phraserecurs frequently in Eccl; seems to mean "in this (fallen) world"
brevityof human life, cycles of nature,
dissatisfaction,repetition, being forgotten
d.Futility of wisdom (12‑18)
2.Chapter 2
a.Futility of pleasure (1‑11)
b.Death a source of futility (12‑23)
c.Conclusion: enjoyment of life is a gift from God (24‑26)
3.Chapter 3
a.Futility of Action (1‑11)
orpossibly, of understanding, or of time
ifall these opposites appropriate at one time or another, how do we understandlife or what God is doing?
b.Conclusion: enjoyment of life a gift of God (12‑15)
c.Moral testing as a source of futility (16‑21)
d.Conclusion: enjoy life (22)
4.Chapter 4
Futilityof ambition (1‑16) or possibly, of competition, or of striving
oppression(1‑3)
laborand competition (4‑12)
butlaziness no good either (5)
valueof cooperation (9‑12)
futilityof revolution (13‑16)
5.Chapter 5
a.Advice: proper approach to God (1‑7)
caution,listening, obeying, avoiding rash vows
b.Futility of wealth (8‑17)
oppression(8‑9)
dissatisfaction(10‑11)
surfeit(12)
hoarding(13)
loss(14)
death(15‑16)
vexation(17)
c.Conclusion: enjoy life as a gift from God (18‑20)
6.Chapter 6
Futilityof long life (1‑12)
withoutsatisfaction, short life better (3‑6)
bettercontentment with what we have (9)
limitedstrength (10)
limitedtime (12)
7.Chapter 7
a.Advice: proper approach to life (1‑22)
soberness& honesty in view of death (1‑9)
wisdom& humility in view of mystery (10‑19)
patiencein view of sin (20‑22)
b.Sin as a source of futility (23‑29)
cannotattain true wisdom (23‑24)
cannotunderstand wickedness (25‑29)
thosewho please God will be protected (26)
feware trying to understand (28)
Godis not source of wickedness, but we humans went own ways (29)
8.Chapter 8
a.Advice: proper approach to government (1‑9)
valueof wisdom (1)
obedienceto king (2‑6)
man'signorance (7) and weakness (8)
b.Earthly reward a source of futility (10‑14)
c.Conclusion: enjoy life (15)
d.Futility in discovering God's activities (16‑17)
9.Chapter 9
a.Futility of death (1‑6)
comesto all (1‑3)
endsall activity (4‑6)
b.Conclusion: enjoy life (7‑12)
thisis your reward in life (9)
exertall your strength while you have it (10)
rememberthe results are in God's hand (11‑12)
c.Value and limitations of wisdom (13‑18)
10.Chapter 10
Wisdomeasily cancelled by folly (1‑20)
11.Chapter 11
a.Still, it is wise to be diligent,
foolishto be lazy (1‑6)
b.Conclusion: enjoy life,
butdon't forget the judgment (7‑10)
12.Chapter 12
a.Don't forget old age! (1‑7)
b.Epilogue (8‑14)
Theme(8)
Preacher(9‑10)
Purpose(11‑12)
goads,nails, study
Conclusion(13‑14)
fearGod
keepHis commandments
rememberthe judgment
V. Song of Solomon
A. Title
1.Song of Songs: Hebrew title
asuperlative construction, means something like
"bestsong" or "most beautiful song"
2.Canticles: Roman Catholic title, taken from Latin translation of Hebrew title:
CanticumCanticorum
3.Song of Solomon: our usual Protestant title
derivedfrom 1st verse: "belonging to Solomon"
B. Authorship and Date
1."Belonging to Solomon" (1:1) probably indicates authorship;
styleis uniform throughout; references to exotic spices,
royalty,etc. fit royal authorship
2.Main alternative in liberal circles is to deny unity of work
usuallyassigning parts to Solomonic period, rest later
(usuallyset in N Israel)
3.Date for Solomonic authorship during his youth but after coronation (3:11),
soabout 970 BC;
otherproposed dates range down to as late as 300 BC
C. Methods of Interpretation
great variety, more than any other book in Bible,
except perhaps Revelation
1.Allegorical: lover and beloved stand for something else
a.Jewish: God and Israel (Targums, Midrash Rabbah)
b.Christian: Christ and Church (Origen)
c.Mystical: God and individual soul (Bernard of Clairveaux)
d.Cultic: dying and rising god (Ringgren, Meek)
2.Literal: love between man and woman
a.Dramatic A: Solomon and country maiden (Delitzsch)
b.Dramatic B: shepherd & maiden vs Solomon (Jacobi)
c.Lyrical: collection of love songs (Budde)
3.Suggested Approach
combinationof Dramatic A and Lyrical seems best
thoEph 5:22‑23 shows parallel between marriage and relation of God tobelievers
shepherd‑lovertheory based on shepherd references 1:7‑8
readingopposition between "king" and "you" in 1:4
plusnight visits 3:1ff; 5;2ff
but1:12‑15 seems to connect king and lover
noteroyal and military allusions in speeches of lover
1:9;4:4; 6:4; 6:8‑9; 7:1,5
loverspeaks (4:1) just after Solomon arrives
referencesto Sol's wedding (3:11) and bride
(4:8,9,10,11;5:1)
Solomonand vineyard (8:11‑12)
D. Speakers in Song of Solomon
Seemsto be a sort of dramatic reading (like Ps 2)
withdifferent speakers in various places:
fellow(lover, groom)
girl(beloved, bride)
chorus(women of Jerusalem; once, her brothers)
Speakersnot indicated in KJV and RSV, but more recent versions try to indicate these (NEB,JB, NAB, Amp, LB, NASB, NSRB, NIV)
Thisdivision is partly based on information in Hebrew which doesn't show up inEnglish translation: verbs in Hebrew indicate whether masc or fem for"you" both in singular and plural
Alsosome guesswork involved, so versions disagree now and then (e.g., NIV and NASBdisagree in 7 places, totalling about 6 verses)
E. Outline of Song of Solomon
difficult to outline
suggestions below follow Woudstra, WBC and Harrison, ZPEB
1.The mutual affection of bride and bridegroom (1:1‑2:7)
a.Title (1:1)
b.Bride (1:2‑4a): affection for bridegroom
c.Chorus (1:4b): bridegroom's attractions
d.Bride (1:5‑7): dark complection, seeking bridegroom
e.Groom (1:8‑11): response to bride (v 11 chorus?)
f.Bride (1:12‑14): perfume & groom compared
g.Groom (1:15): her beauty
h.Bride (1:16‑2:1): Rose of Sharon ref to bride?
i.Groom (2:2): bride like lily
j.Bride (2:3‑7): ends w/ refrain (spoken by groom?)
2.Their deepening affection (2:8‑3:5)
a.Bride (2:8‑10): coming of her beloved
b.Groom (2:10‑15): springtime (v 15 may be chorus)
c.Bride (2:16‑17): springtime
d.Bride's Dream (3:1‑5): ends w/ refrain (v 5)
3.The Wedding (3:6‑5:1)
a.Chorus (3:6‑11): Solomon's coming
b.Groom (4:1‑15): Solomon praise of bride & proposal
c.Bride (4:16): her acceptance
d.Groom (5:1a): his acceptance
e.Chorus (5:1b): consummation?
4.The bridegroom's absence (5:2‑6:3)
a.Bride's 2nd Dream (5:2‑8)
b.Chorus (5:9): what is groom like?
c.Bride (5:10‑16): describes groom
d.Chorus (6:1): where did he go?
e.Bride (6:2‑3): pasturing flock in gardens
5.Beauty of the bride (6:4‑8:4)
a.Groom (6:4‑9): various comparisons
b.Chorus (6:10): her awesome beauty
c.Groom (6:11‑12): he goes away
d.Chorus (6:13a): she goes away
e.Groom (6:13b): response (app b & g go together)
f.Groom (7:1‑9a): praise of & desire for bride
g.Bride (7:9b): her acceptance
h.Bride (7:10‑8:4): her desire for him; ends with refrain (v 4)
6.The durability of love (8:5‑14)
a.Chorus (8:5a): pair coming from wilderness
b.Groom (8:5b‑7): power of love
c.Chorus (8:8‑9): different chorus, her brothers
d.Bride (8:10‑12): now mature; love is hers to give
e.Groom (8:13): call to her
f.Bride (8:14): go away together
F. Some Lessons from Song of Solomon
1.The proper expression of love between man and woman includes the physical andemotional. This is not to beviewed as something unspiritual or lower (cp Prov 5:15‑20; Heb 13:4; 1Tim 4:1‑5; 5:14).
2.Love is one of the strongest forces that humans experience (8:6‑7). It should not be stirred up prematurely(2:7; 3:5; 8:4).
3.Marriage is a gift of God to provide the only proper setting for sexualrelations. It may rightly beproceeded by courtship.
4.As human love may help us appreciate the beauties of nature (impliedthroughout) and vice versa, so human love gives us insight into our relation toGod and vice versa (see Eph 5:22‑32, etc.).