GETTING THE MOST FROM THE WISDOM AND POETRY BOOKS

Introduction to the Wisdom/Poetry Books

These books give us wisdom and knowledge to live righteously in a fallen world.

Job demonstrates the pursuit of wisdom in the midst of severe trials of life. Psalms displays wisdom in the worship and pursuit of the Lord. Proverbs teaches us wisdom for daily living. Ecclesiastes wrestles with the pursuit of wisdom through the pleasures and emptiness of the world. Song of Solomon gives us wisdom by showing the desire, delight, and disappointment in the marriage relationship.

The Source and Beginning of Wisdom

The Lord is the ultimate source of all wisdom so we should pursue Him with all we have.

See Proverbs 1:1-7 and Proverbs 2:1-11...

We should pray and seek wisdom from the Lord in faith.

See James 1:5-8...

Problems That Must Be Dealt With

Proverbs not promises. They give us principles to live by and teach us general truths about the world.

See Proverbs 14:20, 21:17, 22:29, 26:4-5, 12:21...

Job wrestled with why the wicked prosper and the righteous suffer.

Job 21:7 “Why do the wicked live, reach old age, and grow mighty in power?” (See Job 5:4, 8:4)

Job 22:28 “You will decide on a matter, and it will be established for you, and light will shine on your ways.”

James 5:11 “Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.”

Ecclesiastes struggles with the purpose of life and the pursuit of pleasure.

Ecclesiastes 2:11 “Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.”

Ecclesiastes 12:13–14 “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.”

Song of Solomon displays the blessing of the marriage relationship but also the struggles.

Song of Solomon 2:4 “He brought me to the banqueting house, and his banner over me was love.”

Song of Solomon 5:8 “I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if you find my beloved, that you tell him I am sick with love.”

Psalms teaches us to worship in the fear of the Lord.

Psalm 29:2 “Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name; worship the Lord in the splendor of holiness.”

Psalm 99:5 “Exalt the Lord our God; worship at his footstool! Holy is he!”

Things to Remember

These books in particular push us to think through deep and difficult issues. Since these books are poetry, they often use vivid imagery, figures of speech, and word pictures to teach us truth. So we need to slow down to think about what the Lord is teaching us when He uses this kind of imagery and word pictures. Just like we have been learning in previous lessons, we need to ask questions when we read.

What truths about the Lord, His works, His ways, and His expectations for me are in this passage? What truths do I see about life, people, and the world? Does this passage reveal any sins or unfaithfulness in my life? What action does it call me to do? Are there any promises or principles I need to cling to? Are there warnings I need to heed? What does this passage teach me about my great need of Christ? Are there things I don’t understand that will require further study? How does this drive me to worship the Lord?