wisdom literature (proverbs, ecclesiastes, job) -...

4
Week 8 | The Gift of Wisdom | Wisdom Literature (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Job) “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10 There are five books in the Bible that are designated as Wisdom literature. These books teach us very practical lessons about the reality of life in a fallen world. The book of Psalms teaches us how to offer prayer and worship. The book of Proverbs teaches us how to grow in wisdom. Ecclesiastes examines the perplexing question of the meaning of life. Job addresses the issue of dealing with suffering. Song of Solomon celebrates the joy of marital intimacy. We looked at the book of Psalms last week; our questions this week will survey Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job. The Book of Proverbs: Wisdom for Living The Book of Proverbs is a collection of highly compressed, carefully chosen principles of wisdom. The book teaches the way of wisdom and warns against the foolishness of folly. Many of the Proverbs were written by King Solomon. Proverbs are not to be read as promises; rather, they are generalizations of what is commonly true. For instance, Proverbs 10:4 says “Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.” Not everyone who works diligently will become wealthy; nevertheless, the principle stated in this proverb is a wise caution regarding the danger of wasting your time. Proverbs is a book of Hebrew poetry. Hebrew poetry is not constructed based on rhyme or meter; rather, lines of Hebrew poetry are constructed with matching or contrasting meaning. In a couplet of Hebrew poetry, you may find that the thought of the first line is repeated in the second line, or the thought of the first line is contrasted with the thought in the second line. There is a correspondence of ideas in a couplet, and this characteristic correspondence is called parallelism. Look for this sort of pattern as you read in Proverbs. 1. Read Proverbs chapter 3:13-18 a. According to this passage, what is the value of wisdom (vs. 13-15)? b. What are the benefits that wisdom brings to one’s life (vs. 16-18)? 2. What is the foundational requirement for attaining true wisdom? See Proverbs 9:10.

Upload: others

Post on 25-Apr-2020

4 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Wisdom Literature (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Job) - …awshcbcnwwomens.s3.amazonaws.com/pdf/2017/20170302OTSHW.pdfknowledge of God. Life “under the sun” is a life lived according

Week 8 | The Gift of Wisdom | Wisdom Literature (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Job)

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Proverbs 9:10 There are five books in the Bible that are designated as Wisdom literature. These books teach us very practical lessons about the reality of life in a fallen world.

• The book of Psalms teaches us how to offer prayer and worship. • The book of Proverbs teaches us how to grow in wisdom. • Ecclesiastes examines the perplexing question of the meaning of life. • Job addresses the issue of dealing with suffering. • Song of Solomon celebrates the joy of marital intimacy.

We looked at the book of Psalms last week; our questions this week will survey Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Job. The Book of Proverbs: Wisdom for Living The Book of Proverbs is a collection of highly compressed, carefully chosen principles of wisdom. The book teaches the way of wisdom and warns against the foolishness of folly. Many of the Proverbs were written by King Solomon. Proverbs are not to be read as promises; rather, they are generalizations of what is commonly true. For instance, Proverbs 10:4 says “Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth.” Not everyone who works diligently will become wealthy; nevertheless, the principle stated in this proverb is a wise caution regarding the danger of wasting your time. Proverbs is a book of Hebrew poetry. Hebrew poetry is not constructed based on rhyme or meter; rather, lines of Hebrew poetry are constructed with matching or contrasting meaning. In a couplet of Hebrew poetry, you may find that the thought of the first line is repeated in the second line, or the thought of the first line is contrasted with the thought in the second line. There is a correspondence of ideas in a couplet, and this characteristic correspondence is called parallelism. Look for this sort of pattern as you read in Proverbs. 1. Read Proverbs chapter 3:13-18

a. According to this passage, what is the value of wisdom (vs. 13-15)?

b. What are the benefits that wisdom brings to one’s life (vs. 16-18)?

2. What is the foundational requirement for attaining true wisdom? See Proverbs 9:10.

Page 2: Wisdom Literature (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Job) - …awshcbcnwwomens.s3.amazonaws.com/pdf/2017/20170302OTSHW.pdfknowledge of God. Life “under the sun” is a life lived according

3. Read Proverbs chapter 4

a. In 4:10-4:17, there is a contrast between two “ways”—two “paths” of life. These two “ways” are the “way of __________” (vs. 11) and the “path” of __________________” (vs. 14).

b. What are the characteristics of the way of wisdom? (vs. 10-13) What do you think it means to stumble in life (vs. 12)?

c. What are the characteristics of the way of the wicked? (vs. 14-17)

d. The central idea of Proverbs chapter 4 is given in beautiful descriptive form in verses 18-19. What do you find memorable about this poetic couplet? What lesson do you learn from this summary?

4. The book of Proverbs contains very practical teaching and wisdom regarding elements of everyday life. Consider these proverbs that talk about money. For each one, state in your own words the truth that is being taught.

a. Prov. 23:4-5

b. Prov. 11:28

c. Prov. 21:6

d. Prov. 30:7-9

e. What insight do you derive from these words of wisdom about money?

Page 3: Wisdom Literature (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Job) - …awshcbcnwwomens.s3.amazonaws.com/pdf/2017/20170302OTSHW.pdfknowledge of God. Life “under the sun” is a life lived according

The Book of Ecclesiastes: What is the Meaning of Life? 5. The book of Ecclesiastes explores the issue of where one may find meaning in life. As you read in the book

of Ecclesiastes, you will frequently see the phrase “under the sun.” This refers to life lived apart from the knowledge of God. Life “under the sun” is a life lived according to secular values and worldly pursuits. King Solomon examines life “under the sun” in the book of Ecclesiastes.

Read Ecclesiastes chapter 1:1-11. a. What is Solomon’s verdict about the meaning of life? (vs. 2) Why does he say this (vs. 11)

b. Read chapter 2:1-11. Solomon pursues pleasures, projects, and material possessions.

i. What sorts of pleasures does he pursue? (vs. 1-3)

ii. What projects does he complete? (vs. 4-6)

iii. What possessions does he acquire (vs. 7-9)

iv. What is his evaluation of the result of these efforts? (vs.10-11)

c. As you look at your life, can you recall goals or achievements or possessions that were once of central importance to you, but are of little value in your life now? What do you learn from this observation?

6. Read Ecclesiastes chapter 12:9-14

a. What does this passage teach about the wisest choice for how we should live our lives? (vs. 13)

b. What is the final caution that Solomon presents to us (vs. 14)

Page 4: Wisdom Literature (Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Job) - …awshcbcnwwomens.s3.amazonaws.com/pdf/2017/20170302OTSHW.pdfknowledge of God. Life “under the sun” is a life lived according

The Book of Job: How Do I Deal With Suffering?

7. The book of Job addresses the issue of dealing with suffering. Job is a godly and blameless man who

encounters terrible losses in every area of his life. Why would God allow this to happen? Job wants an audience with God; he wants to question God’s motives and actions. Eventually God speaks to Job.

a. Read Job 38:1-18 and 40:1-14. What is the essence of the challenge God presents to Job?

b. Read Job’s response in chapter 42:1-6. What does Job now perceive about God?

c. Read Job 42:12-17. What is the end of Job’s story?

d. Do you find yourself, like Job, having expectations about what you deserve in this life? Are your

expectations warranted? Why or why not?

8. Reflect and Connect to the New Testament: In John 16, Jesus warned His disciples that there would be suffering for them after He had left the earth.

a. What comfort did He give them in John 16:33?

b. What assurance did Jesus give his disciples in John 14:26-27?