THE WRITINGS

OLD TESTAMENT SURVEY: THE WRITINGS

Books included in the Writings: Ruth, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Lamentations, and Daniel.

Introduction

We have arrived at our third sermon in the series Survey of the Old Testament. So far in our survey we have looked at the Torah: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy. These five books introduce the very foundation and creation of everything. We learned about man’s special creation, man’s fall, and God’s plan of redemption through the Seed of the woman. We witnessed the development of God’s plan through Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and eventually through the nation of Israel.

In our second sermon we observed how the prophets either comforted or challenged God’s people primarily, though God’s messages certainly went to many different nations and people. They also provided details on how God was working through the people of Israel to bring about the Seed of the woman, through the nation of Israel, and through the line of David. Famous prophecies concerning the Messiah, such as the Virgin birth, His birth in Bethlehem, and others are found in these books.

Now we arrive at our third and final section of the Old Testament according to Hebrew division: the Writings. This section of Scripture covers a broad range of topics from poetry to prophecy, from historical narrative of Israel and Judah to biographical sketches of individuals like Ruth and Esther.

We must remember that all Scripture has a four-fold application, according to .

Scripture is profitable for teaching (3:16)

Scripture is profitable for reproof (3:16)

Scripture is profitable for correction (3:16)

Scripture is profitable for training in righteousness (3:16)

The ultimate goal of this four-fold profitableness of Scripture is: maturity and fruitfulness in Christ. That is the ultimate goal of the Scriptures. They reveal who God is, what He is doing to restore His fallen creation, and by Whom He is saving: Jesus Christ, so that we may become more like Jesus Christ.

This third section of what we call the Old Testament (the Jewish people call it the Bible, or the Tanach, an acronym of the three sections: Torah, Neviim, and Ketuvim). It includes the following books: Ruth, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Lamentations, and Daniel. And perhaps I should have made this clearer last week, but the Hebrew Bible is organized differently than our English Bibles. That is why the order of the books that we addressed last week and what we will address this week are different.

What I would like to do with our time this morning and provide an overview of each book, remarking on how it develops God’s plan of redemption and how it falls into each of the categories of profitableness. We will focus on each book as they appear in our Bibles.

I. THE BOOK OF RUTH: GOD’S FOCUS ON THE INDIVIDUAL

The book of Ruth traces the life of a Moabitess named Ruth. This young lady married Mahlon, and after a period of time Mahlon dies. The rest of the book picks up on the story of this godly young lady who embraces Yahweh as her God and Israel as her people ().

Ruth 1:16–17 ESV

But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.”

As the story progresses, God provides the honorable Ruth with a husband, Boaz (4:13). The book focuses on Ruth, which helps us to see that individuals matter in God’s Word and plan. As we think about God’s plan of redemption, we often forget that individuals like you and I were a part of that. A couple of authors comment on this feature of Ruth by saying,

“The most striking feature of this simple and beautiful story is the sense of God’s intimate concern in humble affairs.”

[David Alexander and Pat Alexander, Eerdmans’ Handbook to the Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1973),226.]

In the progression of God’s story of redemption, Ruth sets up the scene for the genealogy of Jesus Christ, namely through David. This book helps us see how God works with individuals in His great plan.

II. THE BOOKS OF CHRONICLES: GOD’S HISTORY OF FAITHFUL LOVE

In the books of 1 & 2 Chronicles, we find a similar account of history as is found in 1 & 2 Kings, but with one unique and important difference: the focus is almost exclusively on Judah (Levi and Benjamin as well). After the genealogy, we see an exclusive focus on Judah, which after the division of Israel (see ). If you go back and read that portion of Scripture, you will also see that when the northern ten tribes of Israel split, they also set up their own altar, their own gods, and their own priests. As a whole, the northern ten tribes (what is referred to as Israel in the books of Kings and Chronicles) followed false gods and received God’s just punishment.

But the author of Chronicles addresses his two books primarily to those who endure exile under God’s righteous purging. Now, through God’s goodness and sovereign working (see books of Ezra and Nehemiah), the nation of Judah would return to the land of Israel. And as they returned, they needed to remember that God was faithful to His covenant, that as Israel obeyed God they would enjoy His blessings, and as they disobeyed, they would endure God’s punishment (see for an entire chapter dealing with it).

I say that these two books trace God’s history of faithful love because when Judah obeyed the Word of God they were blessed, but when they disobeyed, they were disciplined. God is our Father and disciplines wayward children (see ).

David’s prayer, ending the book of 1 Chronicles, deserves our focus ():

1 Chronicles 29:17 ESV

I know, my God, that you test the heart and have pleasure in uprightness. In the uprightness of my heart I have freely offered all these things, and now I have seen your people, who are present here, offering freely and joyously to you.

Additionally, the last verse in 2 Chronicles provides the segue into the books of Ezra and Nehemiah. ()

2 Chronicles 36:22–23 ESV

Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the Lord stirred up the spirit of Cyrus king of Persia, so that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom and also put it in writing: “Thus says Cyrus king of Persia, ‘The Lord, the God of heaven, has given me all the kingdoms of the earth, and he has charged me to build him a house at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Whoever is among you of all his people, may the Lord his God be with him. Let him go up.’ ”

God made the way for Judah to return to the land of Israel after their exile (through the hands of Babylon and Assyria).

III. THE BOOKS OF EZRA AND NEHEMIAH: GOD’S DEMAND FOR WORSHIP

As the book of 2 Chronicles ends, the people of Israel are slowly returning to the land of Israel. God, working through a pagan rule (Cyrus) begins to rebuild the people of Israel. The focus of Ezra is on worshipping God as outlined in the Torah. That is why we see the reconstruction of the altar and the Temple in chapter 3. We see God’s plan of redemption through the construction of the very Temple in which Messiah Jesus would minister.

For our learning and applying the four-fold benefits of the Word of God, we learn an important point in .

Ezra 7:10 ESV

For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.

Ezra’s life echoes the key aspects of the Old Covenant (). The was instructed to write the Law out in order to keep it (). and also describe the importance of keeping the Law of the LORD. God demands worship and He demands it in accordance with His revealed truth. We as a Church worship God according to the Scriptures. We, as individual children, come to God in accordance with the Scriptures.

Nehemiah follows the construction of the walls around Jersualem, the city of God. It is important to have protection, and God provides for the construction. Nehemiah also offers an important lesson for us as well in .

Nehemiah 8:1–8 ESV

And all the people gathered as one man into the square before the Water Gate. And they told Ezra the scribe to bring the Book of the Law of Moses that the Lord had commanded Israel. So Ezra the priest brought the Law before the assembly, both men and women and all who could understand what they heard, on the first day of the seventh month. And he read from it facing the square before the Water Gate from early morning until midday, in the presence of the men and the women and those who could understand. And the ears of all the people were attentive to the Book of the Law. And Ezra the scribe stood on a wooden platform that they had made for the purpose. And beside him stood Mattithiah, Shema, Anaiah, Uriah, Hilkiah, and Maaseiah on his right hand, and Pedaiah, Mishael, Malchijah, Hashum, Hashbaddanah, Zechariah, and Meshullam on his left hand. And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people, for he was above all the people, and as he opened it all the people stood. And Ezra blessed the Lord, the great God, and all the people answered, “Amen, Amen,” lifting up their hands. And they bowed their heads and worshiped the Lord with their faces to the ground. Also Jeshua, Bani, Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodiah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, the Levites, helped the people to understand the Law, while the people remained in their places. They read from the book, from the Law of God, clearly, and they gave the sense, so that the people understood the reading.

The primary means of worship is the Word of God, this is why we have our focus on the preaching and teaching of the Word of God. By it we learn about God, ourselves, our need for Him, how to approach Him, and what we can do to be made right with Him. It is absolutely essential, and we must not turn away from it either from the right hand or the left.

IV. THE BOOKS OF ESTHER & JOB: GOD’S SOVEREIGN PROTECTION & RULE

In the book of Esther, a book that ironically has no mention of God, we can see God’s sovereign hand of protection on His people. We need to remember that it is through the nation of Israel, particularly the tribe of Judah, and specifically through the line of Davide, by which the Seed of the Woman, the Blessings of all the nations from Abraham, would come.

The book tracks Haman’s hatred and attempted destruction of the Jewish people. The enemies of Israel have long sought her destruction (even dating back to Cain and Able in Genesis chapter 4), but God protects His people. And, as Mordecai (Esther’s uncle) notes, God sovereign works in our lives for His purpose.

Esther 4:13–14 ESV

Then Mordecai told them to reply to Esther, “Do not think to yourself that in the king’s palace you will escape any more than all the other Jews. For if you keep silent at this time, relief and deliverance will rise for the Jews from another place, but you and your father’s house will perish. And who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?”

Paul picks this theme up in as well.

Ephesians 2:10 ESV

For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

God will always protect His people for the furthering of His redemptive work.

V. THE BOOK OF JOB: GOD’S

Job also displays God’s sovereign rule in the life of individuals. Through a series of unfortunate events, Job is left questioning God’s goodness. For almost 30 chapters, Job and his three friends argue about God’s goodness. Then God reminds Job, after a multitude of questions, that God is God, not Job. God is in control of everything, or sovereign, and He rules righteously. We can rest, as a people and as individuals, in the sovereignty of God.

V. THE BOOKS OF POETRY: GOD’S HYMNAL FOR WORSHIP

The books of Psalms and Song of Solomon provide the poetry of Israel. The early church, and for a long time after, used the Psalms as their songs in worship. In fact, our Presbyterian brothers and sisters sing many songs from the book of Psalm. Psalms provides insight into the depth of human life: ranging from joys to deep sorrows. The psalms provide incredible comfort to the children of God in the form of songs. And the songs always focus on God. We must be careful as we worship God that the music reflects the teachings of Scripture. We do not want our music to send a conflicting message about the God Whom we are worshipping.

In addition, the psalms contain many prophecies about the coming Messiah. Psalms like and 110 offer a wealth of insight into the sufferings and work of the Messiah.

Song of Solomon is a book of marital love. The love between Solomon and the Shulamite woman displays the sweetness of God-ordained relationships. But we might miss another point of significance of the love between Christ and His Church. In , Paul uses the marital relationship between a husband and wife to describe the wonderful relationship between Christ and His Church. So, as we read Song of Solomon and enjoy the intimacy between husband and wife, we are led to higher thoughts about the love Christ has for the Church, which increases our delight and engagement in worship.

Proverbs/Ecclesiastes

VI. THE BOOKS OF WISDOM: GOD’S INSTRUCTIONS FOR LIFE

Proverbs and Ecclesiastes are both books for wisdom. Now, the way we understand wisdom is more of a knowledge aspect. We think university professors who are experts in theirs are wise. But the biblical understanding of wisdom is having all of that knowledge and knowing how to use it.

In the case of Proverbs, we learn the best way to live, which, ironically, is the way the Scriptures teach. And it all begins with the fear of the Lord. describes the beginning and extension of Proverbs.

Proverbs 1:7 ESV

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

The rest of Proverbs offers practical applications of God’s Law. If you want to see how relevant the Bible is, read the book of Proverbs. It is the exposition of the Scriptures to daily life.

In connection with God’s plan of redemption, the book of Proverbs really provides the day-to-day life of Jesus Christ, who is Wisdom personified.

The book of Ecclesiastes shows what life without God is like. Proverbs shows the benefits of the Word of God on daily life; Ecclesiastes shows what disregard of the Word of God brings. The repeated phrase is “all is vanity.” After several chapters describing the futility of life without God, Solomon ends this book with these words ().

Ecclesiastes 12:13–14 ESV

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.

God’s Word truly is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness!

VII. THE BOOK OF LAMENTATIONS: GOD’S COMFORT FOR THE HURTING

The book of Lamentations, as the name implies, is about lamenting. During the Babylonian invasion, the writer of Lamentations witnessed the brutality and destruction of his people. In the form of a poem, this laments focus on the difficulties of life, but particularly when God is disciplining His children.

The middle of the book has one of the most wonderful words, comforting words, in Scripture, :

Lamentations 3:22–23 ESV

The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

In the midst of suffering we can rest in the never ending mercy of our gracious God! This book also illustrates the difficulty of life in a fallen world. As Adam rebelled against the clear command of God, not only did men and women endure the punishment of God, but creation did too. We see the results of sin all over, and in the midst of this life we can enjoy the glorious mercy of God.

VIII. THE BOOK OF DANIEL: GOD’S SOVEREIGN REIGN

The book of Daniel is a wonderful book on God’s protection of His children in miraculous ways. It also provides a helpful depth of resources of prophecy.

However, the continual theme of Daniel is that God is sovereign. He reigns over kings and over atoms and everything in between. And we are reminded of this as Daniel interprets Nebuchadnezzar’s dream in chapter 2, Daniel describes the unrivaled rule of God ().

Daniel 2:44–45 ESV

And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever, just as you saw that a stone was cut from a mountain by no human hand, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold. A great God has made known to the king what shall be after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation sure.”

CONCLUSION

God’s Word is a depthless mine of wisdom, glory, and truth that is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness.