BOLD UNIT 2 EXAM
Message of Song of Solomon
About good, old-fashioned lust and young love
Ezekiel
Major Prophet- New Life
Lex Talionis
an eye for an eye
Be familiar with the contents of Agur's prayer for moderation (Prov 30:8-9)
"Remove far from me falsehood and lying; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food that is needful for me, lest I be full and deny you and say 'Who is the Lord?' or lest I be poor and steal and profane the name of my God."
Habakkuk 2:4b
"The righteous one shall live by his faithfulness" God is less concerned about you discovering the origin of your evil and more concerned about you having a healthy response to evil
Because wisdom, pleasure, work, and wealth is fleeting, what is the proper response?
- Enjoy the present - Stop and smell the roses! - Carpe Diem - YOLO - Slow down! - The grass is always greener on the other side - The story of the magic spool of yarn (time)
Qoheleth
-"the gatherer of the assembly"(preacher/teacher) -guides the assembly to reflect on life's big questions
4 final reflections on love from Song of Solomon
-Extraordinary every day love -Fulfillment in a good world -If human love is this goo, imagine divine love -God is the beloved but has also given you a beloved to love
hevel
1. Pessimist - Life is empty/vain/futile/meaningless, but God is filling (most commentaries & translations) 2. Realist - Life is absurd/paradox (life/death, justice/injustice, wisdom/folly), but God is not (M. Fox) 3. Optimist - Life is short/fleeting (a breath), but enjoyable for the one who lives for God (J. Limburg)
Proverbs
A collection of short, universal, sayings about God, his world, and how to make the right decision
do not turn to their ways by response to them or be hurt by their folly but give wise counsel if it is ready to be received
According to Prov 26:4-5, should you answer a fool according to their folly or not?
Sophia/Hocma
According to Prov 8:22-31, who/what was with God to assist him at creation?
-meanings are not always apparent at first -requires mediation and -thought -Read ch. 1-2 apply them to your situation and ask, "Which choice best demonstrates the fear of the Lord?"
According to Tremper Longman, what are 3 steps for "Studying Proverbs"?
Job
An example of the exception to the observable rules of the world and even God
folly
Are young people "bent" toward wisdom or folly from their youth?
Parents
At first, whose responsibility is it to instruct the young?
We can always know
Can you always discern the cause(s) of your hardship?
Ecclesiastes
Classroom discussion about where meaning is found
"retribution"
Deserved punishment; a repayment; a justly deserved penalty
How is wisdom literature man's search for God and God's search for man?
Diligently sought Gift from God Ask, seek, knock
Patient then impatient then patient
Does the structure of Job show him to be patient or impatient?
expertise/moral character
Fill in the blanks: "Wisdom is the __________ to navigate through life because one's _______ ________ is strong."
"under the sun"
Focus is on this world
Be able to discuss the meaning and application of select college life Proverbs about topics such as: sleep, stress, strong drink, dorm life, jokes/insults, anger, and critical thinking.
For example, Prov. 20:13 warns against loving sleep but Prov. 3:21, 24 says living a wise life brings sweet sleep. We learn that sleep can be a good thing if it is a reward for living a wise life or it can be harmful if we use it as an excuse or escape from responsibilities.
Compare or contrast the message of Proverbs, Job, & Ecclesiastes on the topic of retribution (good things happen to good people, bad things happen to bad people) and how believers should respond.
For example: Proverbs has a strict view of retribution while the book of Job reveals an exception to the rule.
-do nothing -teach them to control their wills, desires, and tongues
How do you raise a fool? How do you raise the wise child?
See it as romance and no spiritual message
How is SOS interpreted by most scholars today?
Message of Ecclesiastes
How to find meaning in life by seizing the day. This is wisdom because it teaches the Fear of the Lord is the beginning of enjoying life.
-An allegory for God's love for Israel -An allegory for Christ's love for the church -An allegory for the Holy Spirit's love for the soul Combination of b and c
How was SOS interpreted in the early and Medieval church?
Aramaic forms of the book point to a 10th-6th BC date
In what time period is the book of Job set and how do we know?
blundering and lovable ex. kevin from the office
Is the fool a blundering and lovable person or a wicked person whose end is self-destruction?
Rev. 2:4-5 "Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent, and do the works you did at first. If not, I will come to you and remove your lampstand"
Is there a Biblical basis for interpreting some modern hardships as judgments from God?
1 Peter 5:8 "your adversary prowls like a lion, seeking someone to devour"
Is there a Biblical basis for interpreting some modern hardships as temptations from the Devil?
Message of Proverbs
It's all about wisdom, knowledge, and understanding—and it all begins with fearing God. Yeah—it's pretty religious, we guess. Is mainly a way of creating needed restraints on your conduct, limiting yourself, and knowing when to act, and when not to react.
Jeremiah
Major Prophet- New Covenant
Isaiah
Major Prophet- New Creation
Daniel
Major Prophet- New New Kingdom
Hosea
Minor Prophet- Faithfulness
Jonah
Minor Prophet- Forgiveness
Lamentations
Minor Prophet- Hope through Sorrow
Joel
Minor Prophet- Locust
Obadiah
Minor Prophet- O Bad Edom!
Malachi
Minor Prophet- Prepare
Haggai
Minor Prophet- Rebuild
Zechariah
Minor Prophet- Return
Amos
Minor Prophet- Social Justice
Zephaniah
Minor Prophet- The Day of the Lord
Habakkuk
Minor Prophet- The Just Shall Live by Faith
Micah
Minor Prophet- Walking with God
Nahum
Minor Prophet-Nineveh (Destruction of)
Job
Poetry and Wisdom- Endurance
Song of Solomon
Poetry and Wisdom- Love
Ecclesiastes
Poetry and Wisdom- Seize the Day
Proverbs
Poetry and Wisdom- Wisdom and Folly
Psalms
Poetry and Wisdom- Worship
Your Memory Verses
Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight
Rabbi Aqiva & Origen say about SOS
Rabbi: Song of Songs is the holy of holiness Aqiva: Forbade any Christian under 30 from studying the book, since such a person would likely see it as a mere love poetry
Turn to God in faith Find healing
Regardless of what has caused your hardship, what is the appropriate response?
"theodicy"
Seeks to justify the ways of God to man; why a good God permits the manifestation of evil
Message of Job
That righteous people can suffer even though they have not done anything wrong.
-What's the meaning of life? -Why am I here? -What should I do in a given situation?
What 3 questions does wisdom literature wrestle with?
-Won't blame God for everything -Won't give Satan more power than he has -Won't forget to take responsibility when necessary -Won't hold self or others responsible for accidents
What are 4 benefits to knowing the range of sources of evil?
-She thinks her features don't make her pretty enough for the male lover -He reaffirms her that her features are lovely
What are some of the female lover's concerns in chapter 1? How does her lover console her?
-easily angered, -fighter, -undependable, -quickly consuming income, -incessant talking / self-trust, -reckless, -don't care, -lack of focus
What are some of the isolated acts of folly and their source?
-General truths -Observations about the world here and now -What's the wise thing to do in a given situation
What are the 3 general features of content in wisdom literature?
-disregard discipline, -repeat foolish behavior, -enjoy folly
What are the 3 habits (in bold on the slide) a child learns during stage 2?
-Job -Proverbs -Ecclesiastes -Song of Solomon
What are the 4 wisdom books of the Old Testament?
30 Egyptian wisdom sayings parallel to Prov. 22-23
What are the Instructions of Amenemope?
-Ourselves -Other Humans -Demon(s) -God -Accidents
What are the five sources of evil? (and know how they can interrelate)
-Eliphaz, -Bildad, -Zophar
What are the names of Job's three friends?
life or death
What are the only two fates for those who choose wisdom or folly?
-God is all-powerful -God is all good -Evil exists
What are the three corners of "the problem of evil" trilemma?
(ONE) Trial: four messengers relate four tragedies that rob Job of all he holds dear. Outcome: Job responds in grief, acceptance, & worship. The Satan loses (TWO) Trial:Job's loathsome sores and wife's foolish advice Outcome: Job did not sin with his lips. Satan loses
What are the trials and outcomes of rounds 1 and 2 of the wager?
-Arameans -Edom
What are the two possible nations from which Job originated?
-Knowing of and Trusting in Yahweh, -Loving what is good, hating what is evil, -Accepting Correction
What are three qualities of "the Fear of Yahweh"?
no afterlife
What does Qoheleth think about the afterlife
A child, one in their youth who is lacking knowledge
What does proverbs mean by "the simple" person (Prov 1:4)?
That he only loves her and no one else
What does the female lover call for in 2:1-7?
People from different nations could have faith in God
What does this Gentile origin reveal about faith in Yahweh in the Old Testament?
Prepare Job for God
What is Elihu's role in the life/story of Job?
Lack of self-restraint
What is the Sages' greatest fear for a child (5:23)?
Is the world imbibed (filled) with meaning?
What is the big question of Ecclesiastes?
-failing to control speech/ speak -less
What is the leading cause of becoming a fool? What is the remedy?
The Fear of Yahweh
What is the main theme of Proverbs?
Will a person serve God for nothing? 1:9-11
What is the message of Job? In what verses of Job can this message be found?
Carpe Diem
What is the overall message/theme of Ecclesiastes?
Only biblical book consisting only of dialogue
What is unique about SOS among all the Old Testament books?
-God wants experts in moral character; -The wise vs. the fool -it's not about IQ, but self-control, persistence, & priorities
What type of expertise are these books of wisdom interested in (3 bullet points)?
-fast money, -excitement, -quick community, -loose women, -no focus
What type of lifestyle characterizes the fool?
-Train people to serve in the royal court; -Promotes the values of society -Shapes the character of the young
What were the 3 purposes of wisdom literature in the ancient world?
Job acknowledges his significance, his arguments fade away, repents and God vindicates
When God appears, what is Job's response?
everyone but themselves
When they self-destruct because of their own folly, who does a fool blame?
-Solomon -The Words of the Wise -Agur -King Lemuel
Who are the 4 contributors to Proverbs?
themselves
Who does the fool trust (Prov 12:15)?
maybe devil, maybe angel playing "devils advocate"
Who is "the adversary" that meets with God in Job 1?
the seductress
Who is dame folly described as?
Shamash
Who is likely part of God's heavenly counsel in Job 1?
Egyptian ma'at - deity married to wisdom god; Amenemope
Who is the Egyptian equivalent of lady wisdom?
Solomon ("Qoheleth")
Who is the author of Ecclesiastes?
Solomon bc he is wise and worldly
Who represents "Qoheleth" and why?
Like they have known each other since birth; a special connection
Why do the lovers compare themselves to brother and sister?
By grace
Why does God restore Job's fortunes in the end?
Love is profound wisdom so it must come from him
Why is Solomon connected to this love poem?
-Cannot yet marry; -Sleeplessly awaits their marriage, and -Love is described as luxurious as Solomon's wealth
Why is their love frustrated in chapter 2?
the fool only rages and laughs, and there is no peace
Why should you not argue with a fool (Prov 29:9)?
Gentile from Uz who is the most righteous servant of Yahweh as model for Israelites
Why would Job be an unusual "everyman" character?
Harper's Songs
agnostic view and a message of hedonism(grave inscription)
Reev
covenant lawsuit
"under the sun"
focus is on this world
Lady Wisdom
ideal mother and wife who affirms the father's instructions
chasing after the wind
meaningless
"chasing after the wind"
the things we chase on earth(???)
"Sophia/Hocma/Wisdom"
to be an expert in a given field