WISDOM LITERATURE: WHAT DOES IT SAY Part 2

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WISDOM LITERATUREWHAT DOES IT SAY?Part 2
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RETRIBUTION PRINCIPLE

• Part 1 Good action leads to Gods blessings
  (affirmed in Deut. 28)
• Part 2 Blessings means Gods favor (not
  affirmed!)
• In other words, doing good leads to Gods
  blessings, but having a good life does not
  necessarily mean God favors you.

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LITERARY PERSPECTIVE

• Righteous Sufferer in Ancient Literature
• Gods were inscrutable (beyond understanding)
• Gods were unscrupulous (guilty of inconsistency)
• But in Job, God reveals himself.

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LITERARY PERSPECTIVE

• Literature of Job
• Introduction (1-2)
• Lament (3)
• 3 Cycles of Dialogue Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar
• 4-14
• 15-21
• 22-27
• Hymn on wisdom (28)
• Speeches of Elihu, Job, God (29-41)
• Jobs extended oath of innocence (31)
• Conclusion (42)

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LITERARY PERSPECTIVE

• All the Wisdom of the East
• Proverbs gatherer of wisdom (1 Kings 429-34)
• Wisdom literature uses variety of forms. Many of
  the forms available were fables, simile,
  metaphor, analogy, contrast, cause effect, etc.

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LITERARY PERSPECTIVE

• The Meaning of Life
• Often viewed as pessimistic
• Actually, more dialectic
• Compares pessimism and hopeful future
• Quest literature (like Gilgamesh)

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LITERARY PERSPECTIVE

• Love Songs in the Ancient World
• Examples found in Sumerian mythological
  literature (3rd millenium BC)
• Examples found in Egypt during period of Judges
  (1300-1150 BC)
• Share many features with Song of Songs

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LITERARY PERSPECTIVE

• Literature of Song of Songs
• Could be viewed as a play
• Difficulties include
• Main character(s) King and/or Shepherd?
• Plot?
• Could be viewed as anthology
• Thus, neither consistent plot nor cast of
  characters
• Ex Do not arouse or awaken love until it so
  desires (27 35 84)