OT Survey IIOT Survey II

Introduction to the Poetical Introduction to the Poetical LiteratureLiterature

andandthe Book of Jobthe Book of Job

Introduction to the Poetical Introduction to the Poetical LiteratureLiterature

Unlike all the books we have studied Unlike all the books we have studied so far, the poetical books do not so far, the poetical books do not advance the storyline of Israel.advance the storyline of Israel.

These books are timeless in nature These books are timeless in nature and contain:and contain: Wisdom for life (Job, Proverbs, and Wisdom for life (Job, Proverbs, and

Ecclesiastes)Ecclesiastes) Songs (Psalms)Songs (Psalms) A commentary on the relationship of A commentary on the relationship of

marriage (Song of Solomon)marriage (Song of Solomon)

Introduction to the Poetical Introduction to the Poetical LiteratureLiterature

Types of Hebrew PoetryTypes of Hebrew Poetry Lyrical – intended to be accompanied by music.Lyrical – intended to be accompanied by music. Didactic – intended to teach people to observe and evaluate life.Didactic – intended to teach people to observe and evaluate life. Dramatic – conveys ideas and truth through dialogue and Dramatic – conveys ideas and truth through dialogue and

monologue.monologue. Parallelism as a dominant feature of Hebrew poetryParallelism as a dominant feature of Hebrew poetry

Synonymous ParallelismSynonymous Parallelism - different lines or members present the - different lines or members present the same thought in a slightly different form.same thought in a slightly different form. The heavens are telling of the glory of God; The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands (Psa 19:1).And their expanse is declaring the work of His hands (Psa 19:1).

Antithetic ParallelismAntithetic Parallelism - presents a contrast or opposition of - presents a contrast or opposition of thought presented in the different sentences. This type of thought presented in the different sentences. This type of parallelism is especially abundant in Proverbs.parallelism is especially abundant in Proverbs. The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, The tongue of the wise makes knowledge acceptable, But the mouth of fools spouts folly (Prov 15:2).But the mouth of fools spouts folly (Prov 15:2).

Synthetic ParallelismSynthetic Parallelism - this is a correspondence and equality in - this is a correspondence and equality in structure, but not necessarily in words or sentences.structure, but not necessarily in words or sentences. The LORD is my light and my salvation; The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear?Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the defense of my life; The LORD is the defense of my life; Whom shall I dread? (Psa 27:1)Whom shall I dread? (Psa 27:1)

Introduction to the Poetical Introduction to the Poetical LiteratureLiterature

Books that make up this group:Books that make up this group: Books by SolomonBooks by Solomon

Job – Not everyone agrees that Solomon wrote this one; a Job – Not everyone agrees that Solomon wrote this one; a fascinating book on the wisdom and sovereignty of God.fascinating book on the wisdom and sovereignty of God.

Proverbs – maxims for wise living; states the way things Proverbs – maxims for wise living; states the way things generally work.generally work.

Ecclesiastes – describes the futility of life “under the Ecclesiastes – describes the futility of life “under the sun.”sun.”

Song of Solomon – extols the pleasures and perils of Song of Solomon – extols the pleasures and perils of marital love.marital love.

Psalms – aka the Psalter; Israel’s songbook; Psalms – aka the Psalter; Israel’s songbook; contains wisdom psalms within it (e.g., Psa 37, 49, contains wisdom psalms within it (e.g., Psa 37, 49, 73).73).

WisdomLit

Two Types of Wisdom Two Types of Wisdom LiteratureLiterature

Didactic - consists of wise sayings or proverbs Didactic - consists of wise sayings or proverbs that advocate all types of good habits, skills, that advocate all types of good habits, skills, and virtues.and virtues. Proverbs is filled with this kind of instruction.Proverbs is filled with this kind of instruction. Ecclesiastes also contains it, to a lesser degree.Ecclesiastes also contains it, to a lesser degree.

Interrogative - asks hard questions in seeking Interrogative - asks hard questions in seeking to understand God’s ways and the meaning of to understand God’s ways and the meaning of life.life. Job, Ecclesiastes, and the wisdom psalms exemplify Job, Ecclesiastes, and the wisdom psalms exemplify

this type. this type.

Characteristics of Wisdom Characteristics of Wisdom LiteratureLiterature

Focuses on instruction for skillful living and Focuses on instruction for skillful living and emphasizes a lifestyle of godliness.emphasizes a lifestyle of godliness.

Not so interested in theoretical matters, but instead Not so interested in theoretical matters, but instead is based on real experience and observation.is based on real experience and observation.

Begins with the fear of the Lord and focuses on the Begins with the fear of the Lord and focuses on the result of a positive outcome.result of a positive outcome.

Seeks to pass on the insights gained from Seeks to pass on the insights gained from experience to the next generation, so that they experience to the next generation, so that they might live successfully as well. might live successfully as well. Then they said, “Come and let us devise plans against Then they said, “Come and let us devise plans against

Jeremiah. Surely the law is not going to be lost to the Jeremiah. Surely the law is not going to be lost to the priest, priest, nor counsel to the sagenor counsel to the sage, nor the divine word to the , nor the divine word to the prophet! Come on and let us strike at him with our tongue, prophet! Come on and let us strike at him with our tongue, and let us give no heed to any of his words” (Jer 18:18)and let us give no heed to any of his words” (Jer 18:18)

Quote from John WaltonQuote from John Walton

In the Old Testament, then, wisdom is basically In the Old Testament, then, wisdom is basically the very practical art of being prudent, sensible, the very practical art of being prudent, sensible, and skillfully insightful so that one may prosper and skillfully insightful so that one may prosper and have good success in life. Wisdom is also and have good success in life. Wisdom is also disciplined and proper behavior, learning how to disciplined and proper behavior, learning how to do what is right and just and fair (Prov. 3:1 – 5). do what is right and just and fair (Prov. 3:1 – 5). Wisdom taps the life experience of accumulated Wisdom taps the life experience of accumulated years and harnesses that knowledge and years and harnesses that knowledge and understanding for the purpose of safety, long life, understanding for the purpose of safety, long life, right behavior, sound moral character, happiness, right behavior, sound moral character, happiness, material prosperity, and integrity (cf. Prov. 1:33; material prosperity, and integrity (cf. Prov. 1:33; 2:8-9; 3:1-2). Ultimately wisdom is learning how 2:8-9; 3:1-2). Ultimately wisdom is learning how to steer through life in a way that wins favor and to steer through life in a way that wins favor and a good name in the sight of both humanity and a good name in the sight of both humanity and God (Prov. 3:4) (Hill and Walton, God (Prov. 3:4) (Hill and Walton, A Survey of the A Survey of the Old TestamentOld Testament, p. 257)., p. 257).

The Book of JobThe Book of Job

Historical SettingHistorical Setting The events of the book of The events of the book of

Job evidently took place Job evidently took place during the times of the during the times of the patriarchs.patriarchs. Job’s total life span was Job’s total life span was

approximately 200 years.approximately 200 years. His wealth is measured in His wealth is measured in

livestock.livestock. The social unit is the The social unit is the

patriarchal family-clan. patriarchal family-clan. Job is the priest of his Job is the priest of his family and offers family and offers sacrifices.sacrifices.

There are no references to There are no references to Israel, the Mosaic Law, or Israel, the Mosaic Law, or the tabernacle.the tabernacle.

Lamentations 4:21 places Lamentations 4:21 places Uz in the land of Edom, Uz in the land of Edom, southeast of the Dead Sea.southeast of the Dead Sea.

Author and Date of WritingAuthor and Date of Writing

The author of this book is not explicitly identified. The author of this book is not explicitly identified. Three theories have been put forth as to the Three theories have been put forth as to the author and time of writing:author and time of writing: The author is Job or Elihu, and the book was written The author is Job or Elihu, and the book was written

shortly after the events occurred, c. 2000 B.C.shortly after the events occurred, c. 2000 B.C. The book was written by Moses in Midian, which is The book was written by Moses in Midian, which is

adjacent to the land of Uz. The date of writing would be adjacent to the land of Uz. The date of writing would be between 1485 – 1445 B.C. This theory is supported by at between 1485 – 1445 B.C. This theory is supported by at least one Talmudic tradition.least one Talmudic tradition.

It was written by Solomon c. 950 B.C. This theory is It was written by Solomon c. 950 B.C. This theory is based on the similarity between Job and other known based on the similarity between Job and other known Solomonic wisdom literature (compare Job 28 and Solomonic wisdom literature (compare Job 28 and Proverbs 8).Proverbs 8).

It is difficult to pick between these three, though It is difficult to pick between these three, though Benware notes that many conservative scholars Benware notes that many conservative scholars believe the book was written during the days of believe the book was written during the days of King Solomon.King Solomon.

StructureStructure The Dilemma of Job (1:1 – 2:13)The Dilemma of Job (1:1 – 2:13)

Job is a righteous man, an unlikely candidate for catastrophe.Job is a righteous man, an unlikely candidate for catastrophe. Satan accuses Job of being righteous only for what he can gain.Satan accuses Job of being righteous only for what he can gain. God grants Satan permission to attack Job on 2 different occasions, first against God grants Satan permission to attack Job on 2 different occasions, first against

all that he has and then against his health.all that he has and then against his health. The Debates of Job with His Friends (3:1 – 37:34)The Debates of Job with His Friends (3:1 – 37:34)

Hearing of Job’s plight, his friends Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar come and sit in Hearing of Job’s plight, his friends Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar come and sit in silence for 7 days.silence for 7 days.

Job then breaks the silence with a monologue cursing the day of his birth. This Job then breaks the silence with a monologue cursing the day of his birth. This initiates a 3 round cycle of debate with his friends. After these older men have initiates a 3 round cycle of debate with his friends. After these older men have spoken, Elihu offers his perspective.spoken, Elihu offers his perspective.

The fundamental assumption of Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar is…The fundamental assumption of Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar is… that God is not unrighteous, and that Job must have sinned and therefore deserved what he has received. that God is not unrighteous, and that Job must have sinned and therefore deserved what he has received. Elihu comes closer to the truth by seeing suffering as something other than punishment for sin (33:13-18, Elihu comes closer to the truth by seeing suffering as something other than punishment for sin (33:13-18,

29-33).29-33). Job’s defense is not that he is blameless, but that his punishment does not fit his Job’s defense is not that he is blameless, but that his punishment does not fit his

crime.crime. The Debates of Job with God (38:1 – 42:6)The Debates of Job with God (38:1 – 42:6)

God challenges Job as the Creator of earth and its creatures.God challenges Job as the Creator of earth and its creatures. Job answers.Job answers.

God challenges Job as the Creator of Behemoth and Leviathan.God challenges Job as the Creator of Behemoth and Leviathan. Job answers.Job answers.

The Deliverance of Job and His Friends (42:7-17)The Deliverance of Job and His Friends (42:7-17)

Chiastic Matching of Prologue and Epilogue in JobChiastic Matching of Prologue and Epilogue in Job

Prologue (Job 1:1 – 2:13)Prologue (Job 1:1 – 2:13)a. a. IntroductionIntroduction: Job lives a righteous life.: Job lives a righteous life.

b. b. Job’s childrenJob’s children: 7 sons and 3 daughters: 7 sons and 3 daughters

c. c. Job’s flocksJob’s flocks: 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 donkeys: 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 donkeys

d. d. PartiesParties: with Job’s family members (they are brothers and sisters): with Job’s family members (they are brothers and sisters)

e. e. Job’s afflictions Job’s afflictions come upon him.come upon him.

f. f. Three friendsThree friends come to Job to console him. come to Job to console him.

g. g. Friends are silentFriends are silent seven days and seven nights. seven days and seven nights.

Epilogue (Job 42:7-17)Epilogue (Job 42:7-17) g.’ g.’ Friends are rebukedFriends are rebuked for their words. for their words.

f.’ f.’ Three friendsThree friends come to Job to ask for help. come to Job to ask for help.

e.’ e.’ Job’s afflictionsJob’s afflictions are reversed. are reversed.

d.’ d.’ PartyParty: with Job’s family members (his brothers and sisters and many others).: with Job’s family members (his brothers and sisters and many others).

c.’ c.’ Job’s flocksJob’s flocks: 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, 1,000 donkeys: 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 yoke of oxen, 1,000 donkeys

b.‘ b.‘ Job’s childrenJob’s children: 7 sons and 3 daughters: 7 sons and 3 daughters

a.‘ a.‘ ConclusionConclusion: Job dies old and full of days: Job dies old and full of days

Adapted from Adapted from The Literary Structure of the Old TestamentThe Literary Structure of the Old Testament by David A. Dorsey, p. 170. by David A. Dorsey, p. 170.

Major ThemesMajor Themes Job as a Righteous ManJob as a Righteous Man SufferingSuffering The Greatness, Sovereignty, and The Greatness, Sovereignty, and

Wisdom of God as Creator and Wisdom of God as Creator and Controller of the UniverseController of the Universe

The “Creatureliness” of ManThe “Creatureliness” of Man

Purpose Statement and Purpose Statement and MessageMessage

The response of the righteous man to suffering ought The response of the righteous man to suffering ought to be worship and submission to God and His to be worship and submission to God and His sovereignty.sovereignty.

““The basic question of the book is, Why do the The basic question of the book is, Why do the righteous suffer if God is loving and all-powerful? righteous suffer if God is loving and all-powerful? Suffering itself is not the central theme; rather, the Suffering itself is not the central theme; rather, the focus is on what Job focus is on what Job learns learns from his suffering—the from his suffering—the sovereignty of God over all creation. The debate in sovereignty of God over all creation. The debate in chapters 3—37 regards whether God should allow chapters 3—37 regards whether God should allow this suffering to happen to a person who is innocent. this suffering to happen to a person who is innocent. The oversimplified solutions offered by Job’s three The oversimplified solutions offered by Job’s three friends are simply inadequate. Elihu’s claim that God friends are simply inadequate. Elihu’s claim that God can use suffering to purify the righteous is closer to can use suffering to purify the righteous is closer to the mark. The conclusion at the whirlwind is that the mark. The conclusion at the whirlwind is that God is sovereign and worthy of worship in God is sovereign and worthy of worship in whateverwhatever He chooses to do. Job must learn to trust in the He chooses to do. Job must learn to trust in the goodness and power of God in adversity by enlarging goodness and power of God in adversity by enlarging his concept of God” (Wilkinson and Boa, his concept of God” (Wilkinson and Boa, Talk through Talk through the Biblethe Bible, p. 145). , p. 145).

A Key Chapter in the Book: Job A Key Chapter in the Book: Job 2828

Human Skill in Mining Technology Human Skill in Mining Technology (28:1-11)(28:1-11)

Wisdom’s Unsearchability and Value Wisdom’s Unsearchability and Value (28:12-19)(28:12-19)

God’s Knowledge of Wisdom God’s Knowledge of Wisdom (28:20-27)(28:20-27)

Wisdom for Mankind (28:28)Wisdom for Mankind (28:28)

Next Week: The PsalmsNext Week: The Psalms