Why Bother with the Old Testament?

DAVID MORRIS – [email protected] Page 1 The Wisdom Literature

Introduction

In our age, theological stupidity is rampant, moral confusion is evident, knowledge of the Lord is scarce, the worship of celebrities and material possessions is the norm, and the ability to wisely synthesize doctrine seems to be a lost art.

What do we do?

What does it mean to have wisdom? What does it mean to fear the Lord? Why should he be “feared”?

Why Bother with the Old Testament?

1. It is Christian Scripture. According to Paul, the 3. Informs us of the promises fulfilled in Christ, or Christian canon is OT and NT: 2 Tim 3:16-17, “All the ones being fulfilled. Ex., Abrahamic Covenant. Scripture…” Therefore, it carries with it a level of 4. Tells us about the God whom Jesus called “Father” authority. God is speaking to us in OT (cf. Col. 2:14). Biblical theology sees the OT as the family out of which 5. Tells us, believe it or not, who Jesus is (see Matt. the NT grew. Biblical theology sees continuity between 5:17-19; Lk 24:25-27, 44-49)

OT and NT, whereas Reformed (Calvinistic or 6. Gives the Torah, ethical and moral instruction, which Lutheran) theology sees discontinuity and division is the basis of virtually all NT commands. between the OT and NT 7. Helps us properly understand NT 2. OT reveals to us as NT christians our history. Shows us the scheme of redemption God has had in 8. Helps prevent misunderstanding of NT motion.

Right in the middle of your Bible is a set of books that are known as Wisdom Literature Hebrew OT Canon = TaNaK (tet-nun-qof) – The Palestinian canon contains 24 rabbinical books in Hebrew Bible (no 1st and 2nd books, like 1st and 2nd Kings, instead combined into one.)

W I S D O M L ITERATURE • T H E F EAR OF THE L ORD IS THE B E G I N N I N G O F W ISDOM • D A V I D M ORRIS DAVID MORRIS – [email protected] Page 2 The Wisdom Literature meaning "the five" or ,חומש books ): Genesis-Deuteronomy "Instruction." It is also called the Chumash 5 הָרֹו ּת ;Law (Torah .1 "the five books of Moses." In Greek, it is called the Pentateuch. The Torah is often referred to as the law of the Jewish people. ;books ): Former Prophets: Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings. Latter Prophets: Isaiah; Jeremiah 8 םיִבְִבְנ ;Prophets (Nevi’im .2 Ezekiel; Minor Prophets ,a.k.a. Hagiographia, 11 books) : Psalms, Proverbs, Job, Song of Songs, Ruth ; םיִבִבְנ ;Writings (Kethuvim .3 Lamentations, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Daniel, Ezra-Nehemiah, Chronicles

Wisdom and Poetic Books: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes (Qohelet), Song of Songs [?]. Wisdom in Rest of OT? Dt.24; Joseph narrative, etc. Compare Matthew and James.

What Lessons Can We Learn from the Middle of the Bible?

1) We learn wisdom in ______.

Proverbs 1:7, “Fearing the Lord is the beginning of moral knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” .carries the idea of fear, not as of an enemy, but as a child has reverent, loving, respect (revering love) for his father ְברי ִּת  .re’shit) indicates the primary place of wisdom) רי ִשבְִ 

.a feminine noun meaning wisdom, skill, experience, shrewdness – הֹומיכֹוּת ”.a) Wisdom – “skill (hokmah) for living b) wisdom can have theological content but doesn’t have to. Not same as intelligence or education. Wisdom requires time to attain usually not found in someone young (but Wisdom does recognize such a thing as old fools). c) Wisdom has an intellectual dimension. Wisdom is a keenness of mind which enables us to assimilate and appraise information and to formulate a plan of action. Scott says, “The primary meaning of Hokmah is ‘superior mental ability or special skill’. . . ”1 It is important to differentiate between wisdom and intelligence, however. Many who are intellectually brilliant are biblically “fools.” d) Wisdom is also described as the ability to discern (Prov. 1:2; cf. v. 4, “discretion,” which is from the same root). Since wisdom begins with the “fear of the Lord” (1:7), knowing good and doing it results from knowing God (cf. 22:17-21). e) Wisdom is also a practical skillfulness, the ability to do things well. Thus wisdom is not just a mental ability or a moral sensitivity, but a practical ability to accomplish a variety of tasks. f) Wisdom is also personified in Proverbs. In chapter 7 wisdom is likened to a woman who calls forth to men to fear the Lord, hate evil, and diligently seek her.

2) We learn about ______.

a) The older (and wiser) we become, the more we observe people who seem to be completely unprepared for life in the “real world.” The middle of the Bible, Wisdom literature, includes instructions for living that, in some cases (like some of the collected Proverbs), rises from experience rather than from special revelation. b) Wisdom literature has a connection or harmony with the general order of things. Some markers:

I. form: proverbial sayings; discourse on personal reflection; contrasts and comparisons; prescriptive sayings; poetry (figurative language); “better than”; call to “listen”; admonition, rebuke, encouragement, praise (toward people) II. content: nature; folly vs. wisdom; wickedness vs. righteousness; enjoyment of life; present living; theodicy; limits of wisdom; death; transcendence of God III. vocabulary: wise/wisdom; fool/foolish; wicked; righteous; knowledge; look; listen; fear of God; justice; Elohim (God as Creator)

c) some sections of wisdom literature seem to be suited for teaching people who are outside of the teachings of Judaism. As a result, wisdom literature has a discontinuity with the rest of the OT in some ways: Contains nothing about the Covenant, Moses’ Law, or Salvation. Focuses on nature rather than super-nature – more anthrocentric. We also learn that human beings are free, responsible and rational creatures

3) We also learn about God as ______. a) God as Creator – He imposes order or at least reigns in the midst of chaos. Both the natural and moral order upheld (Retribution Theology built in). b) God is Mysterious – He only reveals what he chooses – can create tension with A., because we don’t always have the whole story. He is not obligated to explain his ways to us.

4) We also come to realize that God is God ______. “The Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Psa 111:10; Prov 1:7; 9:10; 15:33) – A realization of who we are in relation to who God is.

1 R. B. Y. Scott, The Way of Wisdom in the Old Testament (New York: Macmillan Company, 1981), p. 6.

W I S D O M L ITERATURE • T H E F EAR OF THE L ORD IS THE B E G I N N I N G O F W ISDOM • D A V I D M ORRIS