What is Wisdom?
In this final session on the Old Testament, we explore some of its most beautiful, challenging, and meaningful literature: the songs of Wisdom. As discussed in the video, wisdom literature is found throughout the Old Testament and gives voice to perspectives that evolved over time. This is often an explanation for why some parts of Scripture seem to contradict one another: they simply represent different points of view written by people perhaps centuries apart from one another and from different regions of the ancient world (e.g. the Northern Kingdom of Israel, the Southern Kingdom of Judah, or Babylonia during the Exile). So give yourself some time with these texts, and don’t expect your understanding of them to crystallize quickly. It, too, will evolve over time! Cherish that journey.
In the Bible Labs, I’m offering some options for further exploration. Perhaps choose one that seems right to you, and see where the path leads.
Bible Lab 1 – Wisdom and Creation: Proverbs 8 and John 1
I didn’t discuss this in the video, but Proverbs 8 is one of classic wisdom poems in Scripture. Let’s have a look.
- After reading Proverbs 8, read Genesis 1. Then read Proverbs 8 again.
- Do you hear or understand the story of creation differently when reading these two texts together?
- What does it mean to you that Wisdom is portrayed as playing such an important role in creating the universe?
- Jumping ahead just a bit, many scholars see strong connections between the gospel of John and Hebrew wisdom literature. Read the opening of John, John 1:1-18. Then read Proverbs 8 again.
- Both of these texts depict an entity being with God during creation and being the major agent of the creative work. Think about these connections between “Lady Wisdom” (Proverbs), the logos (Word) in John, and the Christ. What do those connections say to you about God’s creative work?
Bible Lab 2 – The Two Ways
In the video I discuss the “Two Ways”, an early Hebrew perspective found in Psalm 1 and which can be expressed simply as “Good people will be rewarded, and bad people will be punished.” While ancient, this way of thinking is also remarkably common in our modern cultures.
- What is it about “Two Ways” thinking that makes it attractive?
- Do you find anything about “Two Ways” thinking that is distasteful? Why?
- What examples of “Two Ways” thinking do you encounter in your life, work, and family?
- Do you find that “Two Ways” thinking applies some of the time, all of the time, or not at all?
- We all will suffer and ultimately die, regardless of how we live. Listed below are some of the responses or challenges to “Two Ways” thinking. Which of these are meaningful to you?
- Don’t be envious of the wicked, but seek to be close to God (Psalm 73)
- Remain faithful to God in the presence of suffering (Habakkuk)
- Everyone dies, so enjoy your life while you have it (Ecclesiastes)
- Know that God will always be present with you during suffering (Job)
- God is merciful to even the worst people (Jonah)
Bible Lab 3 – Jonah
Read the book of Jonah in one sitting. Please allow yourself to laugh out loud as you read…several times. The book is perhaps one of the most ingenious stories ever written! When answering the questions below, also ask yourself what the book of Jonah teaches about each question.
- Have you ever fled from doing something that you knew was right? What happened?
- Have you ever tried to forgive someone who you thought beyond any hope? What happened?
- Have you ever been asked to do something that seemed impossible? What happened?
- Have you ever felt resentment toward someone else because they seemed to be getting an unfair advantage? What happened?
- If God really loves every person (even Ninevites!), and if every person (even Ninevites!) is created in the image of God, how does your perspective of other people compare to God’s? What changes do you need to make in your perspectives of other people?
