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HOW DID WE GET THE BIBLE?
CHAPTER 4
OLD TESTAMENT
BOOKS OF POETRY
The five Books of Poetry fit into what has been called the Writings[or the Ketuvim](Grolier's Encyclopedia) section of the Hebrew Bible(Bible Handbook- A Guide For Basic Bible Learning). These books are also known as the books of Wisdom, because many wise sayings are set in a poetic rhythm of parallelism(Clarke's Commentary). Each line is echoed in the next line. The books of Poetry ask and answer basic questions about life(Understanding The Old Testament). The Books of Poetry, as well as other Books of the Bible realize that TRUE faith is based on facts(Psalms 19:1; John 20:31; Hebrews 11). The Catholic Bible adds the Book of Wisdom and Ecclesiasticus(The New Catholic Encyclopedia), which most scholars agree were not part of the inspired Books of the Old Testament(The Lion Encyclopedia Of The Bible). There are also many prayers in the Books of Poetry(All The Prayers Of The Bible).
JOB- This book is placed in the Patriarchal Age, like Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. While some think that the writer is Job himself(Bible Reference Library), most scholars believe that the writer was actually Moses, because of both tradition, and writing style(Halley's Bible Handbook). Some think Job was king Jobab(Genesis 36:33), which would make Job a descendant of Abraham(Eerdman's Handbook To The Bible). Some scholars think that Moses might have met Job, while in the wilderness of Midian(Exodus 2:15). The land of Job, also known as the land of Uz(Job 1:1) was found to have been in the Havran Plains(Hours With The Bible). The theme concerns the problem of human suffering, and Satan's part in it(1:6-22; 2:1-8). God's ways are far beyond human understanding(5:8-17; 38:4-42:3; Psalms 94:11; Proverbs 12:1; Isaiah 29:14; 40:13; 55:8,9; 64:4; Jeremiah 10:23; Romans 11:34; First Corinthians 1:18-2:16; 3:18-21), so we should trust God to take the lead(The Internal Evidence Of Inspiration). God created everything, He understands how it all works, and we know that God is still in control today(How We Got The Bible), and promises that all things will work out for those who serve him(Job 42:10-16; Romans 8:28; 11:20-22; Revelation 2:10).
God shows in the book of Job scientific foreknowledge(The Internal Evidence Of Inspiration), things that no one knew until recently, and some things no one will ever know(Science In The Bible). Despite liberal scholars who say the writer doesn't know "Geology and Astronomy and Natural Science better than the experts of Modern science"(The Bible, The Church And The Reason), the Lord wouldn't cause men to write things contradictory to Science, History or Geography, except for those miracles that would prove God's power over Nature(Joshua 10:13; Daniel 3:23-30; Luke 17:12-19; Acts 14:8-10). Some examples in Job of scientific foreknowledge are: Gravity, with the earth suspended in empty space and that the Northern sky is void of stars(Job 26:7), Air Circulation and Weather(Job 28:15; 37:9,16; 38:29; Ecclesiastes 1:6), Air having weight(Job 28:25), Earth's rotation(Job 38:12-14; Psalms 89:36,37), The Light/Color Spectrum(Job 38:24), Planetary movement(Job 38:31-33), that light wavelengths have tonal qualities(Job 38:7), The eagle=s and/or buzzards' extraordinary vision(Job 39:29), what holds the ocean in its place(38:8), the earth's size being important for life(38:5,18), the benefit of snow for life(38:22), and what comes after death(38:17). Job 38:16 tells of ocean trenches, and fresh water springs in the ocean, not discovered until 1873("Is The Bible Inspired?"The Restorer). Dr. William W. Ruben of the U.S. Geological Survey states that water from undersea volcanoes, fumaroles, and hot springs releases 430 million tons of water per year(Exploring The Secrets Of The Sea). Dr. Lawrence J. Kulp of Columbia University estimates that .5% of the Earth's weight is water trapped in the rocks[30 X 1019 tons]. If 6% escaped, it would contain the SAME amount as all the seas(Has God Spoken?). The Bible says that lightning causes rain(Job 38:25-27), by creating fixed Nitrogen to combine with water, falling to earth as rain to fertilize the plants and soil. The path lightning takes fits well what scientists know about lightning. The "path" or "way" is described as a "pulse of current rushing up the new electrical channel at speeds greater than the eye can see"(Swords From The Sky" Reader's Digest).
Other scriptures in the poetry class dealing in foreknowledge include the value of dust(Proverbs 8:26), the round earth having a directional compass[North, South, East, West] directions(Proverbs 8:27; Isaiah 40:22), as well as the process and properties of evaporation, condensation and precipitation(Ecclesiastes 1:5-7; Job 36:27,28). Psalm 19:4-6 was scoffed at because it says the sun moves, until scientists recently discovered that the sun is moving at hundreds of thousands of miles an hour(Guinness Book Of World Records). Job is also mentioned in other verses of the Bible(Ezekiel 14:14,20; James 5:11). Job prays for many things, from praising God's strength, to understanding(Job 1:20-22; 6:8,9; 7:17-21; 9; 10; 14:13-22; 21:14-34; 23; 40:3-5; 42:1-6).
PSALMS- Is mentioned in the New Testament(Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16), written by David and Solomon about 900-1000 B.C., and compiled by Ezra(Encyclopedia Judaica). It is the longest book in the Bible(Guinness Book Of World Records). Some scholars believe that additional psalms were composed by Asaph(Psalms 50; 73-83; 2 Chronicles 29:30), Moses(90), Ethan(85,86), and the sons of Korah(42-49), while most believe that the psalms were written FOR singers(First Chronicles 16:7), like the sons of Korah(First Chronicles 9:19), or to remember certain men, like Moses(Compact Survey Of The Bible). The fact is that ALL the psalms were used by Jews as inspired songs, and are part of God's holy scripture, which is agreed upon by all scholars(The Universal Jewish Encyclopedia). In recent times, the Book of Psalms has been broken down into five sections or books. There are 150 psalms, dealing with many areas of life, with the basic theme that God exists(Psalms 14:1-3; 53:1-2) {Voltaire, the Atheist, tried to destroy the Bible, and said it wouldn't exist within 100 years. After his death, his house was used to store and sell Bibles(Ripley's Believe It Or Not).}, and God is to be praised, worshiped, and trusted(Psalms 2:12; 8:1; 9:1). The longest chapter of the Book of Psalms, and also of the entire Bible is Psalm 119, with 175 verses(Compact Survey Of The Bible). The shortest is Psalm 117 with two verses(Guinness Book Of World Records). Of the 283 quotations in the New Testament, 116 are from Psalms(Nave's Topical Bible). Christ is mentioned many times, quoted in the New Testament as having fulfilled prophesies(Psalms 2:7 --> Acts 13:33; Psalms 8:6--> Hebrews 2:6-10; Psalms 16:10--> Acts 2:27,13:35; Psalms 22:1,8--> Matthew 27:43,46; Psalms 22:18--> John 19:24; Psalms 34:20--> John 19:31-36; Psalms 40:7-8--> Hebrews 10:7; Psalms 41:9--> John 13:18; Psalms 45:6--> Hebrews 1:8; Psalms 68:18--> Ephesians 4:7-10; Psalms 69:9 --> John 2:17; Psalms 69:21 --> Matthew 21:34,48; Psalms 84:3,4-->Acts 13:22,23; Psalms 109:8--> Acts 1:20; Psalms 110:1--> Matthew 22:44; Psalms 110:4--> Hebrews 7:17; Psalms 118:22--> Matthew.21:42; Psalms 118:26--> Matthew 21:9).
The Psalms were meant for singing(Harvard Concise Dictionary Of Music). Singing is stressed not only in the Psalms but also elsewhere(What Is The Bible All About?). Moses sang(Exodus 15; Deuteronomy 32), Israel sang(Numbers 21:17), Deborah sang(Judges 5), David sang(Psalms 104:33), Nehemiah sang(Nehemiah 12:42), King Hezekiah sang(Second Chronicles 29:28-30), Angels sing(Revelation 5:11-13), Jesus and the Apostles sang(Matthew 26:30; Mark 14:26)[it is believed by scholars to have been the "Hallel" or song of grace from Psalms 114-118(Jesus: A Life)], Paul and Silas sang(Acts 16:25), and we are also encouraged to sing praises (Romans 15:9; First Corinthians 14:15; Ephesians 5:19; Colossians 3:16; Hebrews 2:12; James 5:13), and we will be singing in heaven(Revelation 5:9). In addition, Psalms shows us the proper attitudes toward the Word of God: we are to find delight in it(Psalms 1:2), we should love the Word of God(119:97, 113, 159, 167; First Peter 2:2), desire or long after it and esteem it above all things (119:82; Job 23:12), have a deep reverence for it (119:61; Isaiah 66:2), to keep the scriptures in remembrance (119:16), our hope should be placed in God and his Word(119:74,81,147), we should meditate upon the Word of God(1:2; 119:99, 148), to find pleasure in his Word, rejoice in it(119:162; Jeremiah 15:16), and to place our trust in the scriptures, the inspired Word of God(119:42; First Thessalonians 2:13; First Corinthians 14:36,37). David also shows the proper attitude for worshiping the Lord(122:1). There are also many prayers in the Psalms(Psalm 3-5; 7; 8; 16; 22-25; 27; 31; 35; 36; 39-44; 46; 51; 55; 57; 71; 73; 90; 91; 96; 102; 103; 105-107; 119; 139).
PROVERBS- Written by Solomon about 900 B.C.(Halley's Bible Handbook), during his "middle" period of life, 600 years before the greatest wise men of ancient Greece, and China[ie. Socrates, Aristotle, Plato, and Confucius](Merit's Student Encyclopedia). Hezekiah edited the Book of Proverbs(25:1). Agur(30:1), and Lemuel(31:1), are also mentioned in adding/editing portions of the book of Proverbs(Compact Survey Of The Bible). There are many helpful sayings that deal with such areas of life, like: friendship(Proverbs 6:1-3; 17:9,17; 18:24; 19:4,6; 27:6,10), working(3:1-10; 11:1,15,26; 15:22; 16:3,9-11,33; 18:9; 19:15,24), dealing with anger(14:17,29-30; 15:18; 16:14,32; 19:11-12,19; 20:2; 22:24-25; 29:22), in developing both wisdom and knowledge(1:1-9,29-33; 2:1-12; 3:1-35; 4:2-13,20-27; 7:1-4), prayer(15:8,29; 28:9,13), marriage and family(5:15-23; 10:1; 13:1,24; 17:21,25; 18:22; 19:13-27), dealing with temptations(1:10-19; 2:12-19; 5:8-14; 7:21-27), and many other issues of life(4:23). Solomon was given great wisdom(First Kings 3:9-12; 4:29-34; 10:7), because God was pleased with the humility shown by Solomon(Who's Who In The Old Testament). While Solomon's hebrew name Shelomo["Shalom"] meant peace, today it is synonynous for wisdom(Great Men And Women Of The Bible). Solomon accepted the daughters of foreign kings in exchange for promises of peace(Bible Reference Library).
ECCLESIASTES- Means "The Preacher"(Anchor Bible Dictionary). Written by Solomon, (Clarke's Commentary) during his later years, showing the folly of life that isn't centered on God, which is to be the purpose of each individual's life(Job 28:28; Psalms 111:10; Proverbs 1:7; 9:10; Ecclesiastes 12:13,14). Solomon tried to find satisfaction in different things, such as building things(2:4), and in gathering riches and possessions(2:7,8), but found that there was no satisfaction without God(Bible Handbook- A Guide For Basic Bible Learning). Solomon was one of the richest Kings ever. His annual income (Second Chronicles 9:13) was well over FIVE Billion dollars! The temple that he built ITSELF cost over Four Billion dollars to build(Second Chronicles 3:8,9)! The nails were made of gold (Bible Lands), valued in today's market at over $100,000 each! Some figures estimating the gold and silver stored for the temple(First Chronicles 22:14 29:3-9) reach an even further 50 Billion Dollars! When the Queen of Sheba visited Solomon, she gave him well over a Billion dollars as a gift(Second Chronicles 9:9)! The gold from Ophir ALONE (First Kings 9:28) was given a very conservative estimate of 400 Million dollars("Gold Rush" Reader's Digest). Scholars state that Solomon sinned by giving way to "selfishness and sensuality and paid the penalty of that sin in satiety and weariness of life" and learned from it the lessons which God meant to teach him(Peloubet's Bible Dictionary). Solomon closes the book of Ecclesiastes with the statement that service to God is "the whole duty of man"(Ecclesiastes 12:13).
SONG OF SOLOMON-Also known as the Song of Songs, or the Canticles(Eerdman's Handbook To The Bible). Solomon wrote this in his early years. There are three interpretations of the book.
1) Literal: This is believed to be a historic tale and that the poem is based on fact. Scholars believe this love song was written to celebrate the marriage to his favorite wife(First Kings 2:17,22; 11:3). Marriage is ordained by God(Genesis 2:24).
2) Symbolist: Some Jewish scholars think this book to be an allegory[parallel] concerning The Lord and Israel(Jeremiah 3:1; Ezekiel 16:23; Hosea 2:14-20), his people(The Universal Jewish Encyclopedia). Many Christian scholars however think it could be an allegory, (The Eternal Kingdom, A History Of The Church Of Christ) representing the Lord Jesus Christ and his bride, the church (Matthew.9:15; 25:1; John 3:29; Second Corinthians 11:2; Ephesians 5:23; Revelation 19:7; 21:2; 22:17).
3) Both Historic and an Allegory: A real human love typifying the union of God with his people. Most scholars think this to be the correct interpretation, balancing a historic view with a spiritual symbolism involving God and man(The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia). Many Scholars believe the "Song of Songs" was Solomon's favorite of his 1005 songs(First Kings 4:32), because of his love for his favorite wife(Bible Handbook- A Guide For Basic Bible Learning), among his 700 wives(First Kings 11:3).
The Subject of the Book Of Song Of Solomon is Love(The New Analytical Indexed Edition Bible).
These and other books are copies of the originals, which God guided the copiers to bring his word to us(Isaiah 55:11). Why are there no originals? The materials were too fragile to last. God might have allowed them to continue to exist, had he wanted to, similarly as when he allowed the clothing of the children of Israel during the forty years wandering to last(Deuteronomy 8:4; 29:5). Perhaps God allowed the originals to decay because historically man tends to worship "the creature" rather than God(Romans 1:25). We know that God's word will still continue, even to the day of Judgement(Luke 21:33; John 12:48), despite what men may do(The Bible In The Twenty-First Century).
Questions
1. How many books of Poetry are there?
2. What is the theme for the book of Job?
3. What is the theme for the book of Psalms?
4. Who wrote Proverbs?
5. According to Ecclesiastes, what is the purpose of life?
6. What is the proper attitude we should have for the Bible?
7. What is the Song of Solomon about?
8. Why are there no original manuscripts?
9. Why should we trust God?
10. Why should we study the Books of Poetry?
Please send any comments,suggestions,additions or corrections to: