Semester 3 Old Testament 2 (Hebrew Wisdom Literature) - Faith Bible Institute

“The Hymn Book of Israel”

“The inspired responses of human hearts to God’s revelation of Himself.” Allen P. Ross

“Deep devotion, intense feeling, exalted emotion, and dark dejection…It is the only book which contains every experience of a human being. The Psalms run the psychological gamut. Every thought, every impulse, every emotion that sweeps over the soul is recorded in this book.” J. Vernon McGee

The Adoration of Israel

Praise

The Great Psalm of the Sufferings of Christ

The Great Psalm of the Lord my Shepherd

The Great Psalm of David’s Repentance

The Great Psalm of Universal Millennial Kingdom Praise

The Great Psalm of Praise to the Word of God

The Great Psalm of Praise

Author of at least 77 books of Psalms, including the Shepherd Psalms, The Sinner Psalms, The Suffering Psalms, and the Satisfied Psalms.

Author of 10 Psalms.

Sons of Korah were Levite decedents of Kohath thru Korah. Served in the temple as musicians.

Author of some Psalms. Levital Choirmaster appointed by King David.

Author of some Psalms. Levital Singer of the family of Kohath & Korah.

Author of some Psalms. Counselor of Solomon, Levite

Author of some Psalms.

Author of some Psalms.

Author of some Psalms. 13th King of the Southern Kingdom of Judah.

Authors of some Psalms.

Believed to have compiled the Psalms into their final order.

Approximately 1450 BC to 450 BC. Although most were written during the United/Single Kingdom, they span a total time period of 1000 years, from the Exodus to the Restoration/Return.

Worship in the Christian Life

• Psalms is the most messianic Old Testament book, being filled with Prophecies of the King and His Kingdom.
• Psalms is therefore quoted more in the New Testament than all the other Old Testament books combined.

Confessional hymns of repentance over sin

Psalm 32 describes David’s awful feelings before confessing and repenting of his sin with Bathsheba.
Psalm 51 describes David’s confession and the emotions he experienced during it.

Prayers of judgement against the enemies of God

It is believed that most were written and all 15 were probably compiled by King Hezekiah of Judah AFTER God spared and added 15 years to his life. One Psalm is included for each year added to his life.

Hezekiah, Solomon and David

At various stages of the three annual pilgrimages to Jerusalem. This is the most widely held view and is probably correct.

Each line begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew Alphabet (also called Alphabetic Psalms)

• Longest “chapter” of the Word of God
• Center “chapter” of the Word of God
• Every verse exalts the Word of God (2 possible exceptions)
• 8 successive verses start with each of the 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet for a total of 176 verses.

• Christ’s Obedience
• Christ’s Zeal
• Christ’s Rejection
• His Mockers at the Cross
• Christ’s Betrayal
• Christ’s Sufferings
• Christ’s False Witnesses
• Christ’s Prayer for His Enemies
• Christ’s Resurrection
• Christ’s Ascension
• Christ’s Triumphant Entry into Heaven
• Christ’s Eternal Sonship and Reign

o His Trial & False Accusers
o His Scourging
o His Torturers
o His Crucifixion & the Wounds in his hands, feet, and side
o His Bones wrenched out of joint
o His Garments parted and gambled for
o His thirst
o His bones not broken

“The Wisdom of God”

Inspired collection of wise sayings designed for practical application.

“many words squeezed into few”

a short sentence drawn from a long experience, an in-depth truth shortly stated

a young man starting out in life with 2 schools (The School of Wisdom vs the School of Foolishness) AND

2 women (The Pure Virgin of Wisdom vs the Vile Harlot of Foolishness) vying for his attention and affection.

“The Aspiration of Israel for the Wisdom of God”

Wisdom

Proverbs

were probably collected and compiled, but not written by Solomon

collected and compiled 5 chapters from the proverbs of Solomon (Proverbs 25-29). This monarch reigned over Judah from 716-686 BC.

Wrote passages in Proverbs but his identity is otherwise unknown.

Wrote passages in Proverbs but his identity is otherwise unknown.

Unknown. May have been written by Solomon, Lemuel, Lemuel’s mother or another unknown writer.

Solomon’s proverbs were written in 931 BC and those compiled by Hezekiah were arranged into their present form about 230 years later.

Universally applicable, but was written particularly for young people, more specifically for young men, and even more specifically for Solomon’s son (Rehoboam).

The Christ-like Life

It is the most practical book of the Old Testament

• Youth & Discipline
• Business and Financial Matters
• Evil Companions
• Strong Drink
• Sources of Wisdom

Obey God and seek His righteousness first and He will provide our needs. He will not let a good man starve to death.
Seek God’s Wisdom first.
Give to God first (and those in need).
Put our Testimony first before money and possessions.

Great wealth without a good marriage and happy home is worthless.

Money

o The Bible constantly warns against and discourages debt and the high cost of interest. It never speaks of credit debt in a positive light.
o Some believe that Scripture forbids all borrowing as sin. This writer does not agree that all borrowing is sinful.
o Credit is definitely greatly overused by Christians today, who have followed our culture instead of heeding the warnings of the Scriptures that highly discourage borrowing. It may be said that the Bible does not forbid borrowing as always sin, but it does discourage borrowing as almost never wise.

• Business comes before pleasure and comfort
• Young men should gain financial stability before marriage or buying a home.

Do not accept responsibility for the credit debts of others.

Avoid all surety.

Accepting debt greater than our current available non-essential assets. Borrowing without collateral. Pledging your future labor and income if a debt is not paid. You are standing sure for a debt.

We are not to trust in future income that we may never see.

“Be not thou one of them that strike hands, or of them that are sureties for debts. If thou hast nothing, why should he take away thy bed from under thee?”

necessities; debt.

We are to budget wisely with future times of crisis in mind.

spend it all up

seeking to be rich, get rich quick schemes, greed, covetousness, and trusting in riches.

we cannot enjoy or appreciate anything we have or anything we receive

is a shame

o Refuse them, for a man’s true character is reflected by the friends he chooses.
o Refuse then, for they will shape your character.

bites like a poisonous serpent and stings like an adder. While some say that alcohol is acceptable in moderation, this passage tells us to not even look at wine when it is fermented, much less drink it.

o The Word of God
o Listening to Instruction, learning from Discipline, and submitting to rules
o Heeding our parents.
o Learning from Wise Counsel
o Accepting rebuke
o Seeking Wise Advise
o Humility
o Learning from criticism
o Prayer
o Seeking the Lord and forsaking Evil.
o The Fear of the Lord.

“The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them, O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever.”

“The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. They are corrupt, they have done abominable works, there is none that doeth good.”

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word.”

“Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.”

“Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them.”

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.”

“But whoso committeth adultery with a woman lacketh understanding: he that doeth it destroyeth his own soul.”

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.”

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.”

“A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”

“Pride goeth before destruction, and an haughty spirit before a fall.”

“A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.”

“Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.”

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.’

“Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.”

“My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.” MEMORIZE

“The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” MEMORIZE

“Wine is a mocker, strong drink is raging: and whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.” MEMORIZE

“The Search for the Meaning in Life”

To record the search for the meaning in life and the meaning of life as conducted by Solomon (the wisest, wealthiest, and most powerful of Israel’s Kings).

The Exploration by Israel’s King for Meaning in Life.

Vanity, Man, Labor, Under the Sun

The vanity of all Man’s labor under the sun.

Solomon

Probably written in Solomon’s later years, approximately 935 BC

The Independent Christian Life

The purpose of this book is to prove that life without God has no meaning.

Many cults and heretical groups use statements form this book to support false doctrines such as soul sleep or annihilation. These passages can be properly understood only by realizing that extended portions of Ecclesiastes give the perspective of life “under the sun”, that is, what life would be without God, which is a purposefully false perspective.

Means “one who addresses an assembly”, thus a Preacher, Teacher, or Philosopher.

Willmington writes: “Apart from Proverbs, Ecclesiastes is probably the most important Old Testament book for young people to read. It answers their many questions. Can I find happiness in sex, or sports, or silver? In popularity, prestige, or power? In educational degree or drugs? The answer to all these is NO! Thus , numerous heartaches and ruined lives can be avoided by simply heading the advice of the man who has already traveled down those roads.” Sometimes experience is not the best teacher, for the tuition is too expensive.”

It is life apart from heaven, apart from God, from an earthly perspective alone that is empty and without meaning.

• Human Wisdom
• Pleasure
• Alcohol
• Great Building Projects – beautiful homes and palaces
• Beautiful Gardens and Parks – Farming
• Personal Indulgences
• Cattle breeding – ranching
• Massive Wealth
• Music
• Labor
• Marriage and Sex
• Fame, Popularity, International Reputation
• Education & Literature
• Natural Science
• Military Power – armies, horses, chariots, and navies

o Invest in good deeds everywhere you go and the good you do will come back to you.
o Invest what you have in several different interests; for you cannot know which ones will go bad and this way you will not lose everything. This can be summed up by one common proverb, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket.”
o Don’t wait for perfect opportunities, but work hard all the time. There will always be uncertainties about the future.

We are to enjoy our youth, but live our lives with the judgement of God in mind.

We are to remember our Creator in the days of our youth, before old age approaches.

• God intends for man to enjoy the fruits of his labor, for this is a blessing from the hand of God
• Man is to do good and rejoice in the fruits of his labors while living in fear of a Sovereign God, with his judgement and our Death in mind.
• We should enjoy the fruits of our labors and accept the joy of God in our hearts.
• Live joyfully with your mate and face life with an attitude of enthusiasm and total commitment.

We should:
• Find God early in life
• Fear God throughout life.
o By keeping His Commandments with our actions
o By keeping his Judgement in our minds.

“A Love Story”

This is the “Song of Songs”, the greatest Love Story ever written.
• Here is the first and classic tale of a poor peasant girl who wins the heart of a handsome young prince (king), the story of the first Cinderella.
• Here is also the classic tale of a rich, famous, and powerful young man who sought and found someone who would truly love him for himself, not for his wealth, fame, position or power.
• Here is the story of Solomon’s one true love out of his thousand women. Here is a love story between Solomon and his beautiful Shulamite bride.
• Here is the ultimate tale of the beauty of marital love.

The Aspiration of Israel for the Love of God.

Love

Solomon

The First Love Christian Life

Solomon’s Song, The Book of Canticles, The Song of Songs

• It sets forth the glory and holiness of wedded love.
• It sets forth the love of Jehovah for Israel.
• It sets forth the love of Christ and the Church.
• It sets forth the love of Christ and the individual believer.

The Jews considered the writings of Solomon to be a parallel to the Temple, Proverbs being the Outer Court, Ecclesiastes being the Holy Place, and Solomon’s Song being the Holy of Holies. It was read annually at the first and greatest feast of the year, the Passover.

• Act One – the Shulamite Cinderella
• Act Two – the Shepherd Stranger
• Act Three – the Sovereign Solomon

Israel and the Church

The Father and Christ

• In order to maximize sexual joy after marriage.
• In order to make the right choice of a mate.
• In order to find sexual harmony after marriage.

o It is in no sense dirty, sinful, or shameful.
o It is not merely a necessity for procreation, but was created by God for enjoyment.
o It is to be a primary and integral part of the marriage relationship.

families; girl

o Complete sexual intimacy early in marriage.
o Choosing the right life partner.
o Proper sexual adjustment after marriage.

stirred ; awaken

o Selfish
o 50/50
o Selfless
If sexual desires are prematurely stirred, the relationship will become stuck at that stage and will have great difficulty advancing beyond that level.

o To develop a non-sexual relationship.
o To face problems and establish problem solving patterns.
o To count the cost of this marriage.

o The Unexpected
o Continued Courtship
o The Impractical
o Creativity

fortunate

public affection, protection, and attention

automatic, come naturally

o Why do so many people work so hard at stirring romantic love before marriage and then stop trying after marriage?
o Why do they then wonder why the feelings of romantic love went away?
o When people say they fell in and then fell out of love with their mate, they fail to understand that love is a command and a choice. When we choose to continually do the actions of love, the feelings of love will follow.

resentment/jealousy; neglect her

disturb the roots of a marriage

Security is a basic need of a wife.

Men are attracted by sight.

While men are attracted visually, women are attracted emotionally.

• Assume responsibility for your own actions instead of blaming your mate.
• Return loving blessing for insult/rejection/offense
• Complete and transparent communication