The Bible In A Year
Lent – Pentecost Week 4 of 17
March 18-23, 2019
Readings for the Week
Theme of the week: The conflict between the wisdom teachings and the reality of life.
- Monday – Psalm 15, 27 & 128, Job chapter 1
- Tuesday – Job chapters 2 & 3, Psalms 34 & 39
- Wednesday – Job chapters 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 & 10
- Thursday – Job chapters 11, 12, 13 & 14
- Friday – Job chapters 15, 16, 17, 18 & 19
- Saturday – Job chapters 20, 21, 22, 23 & 24
The Bible In A Year
Lent – Pentecost Week 4 of 17
A Framework for Understanding
The Writings
Set in the middle of the Hebrew scriptures is a group of books referred to as “the writings” consisting of the books of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs. These five books contain a number of literary genre including: wisdom literature, poetry for temple use, prose and love poetry.
The “wisdom books,” Job, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, differ from many of the other books in the Bible by their lack of concern with the nation of Israel, with history or with covenant. The focus of the books is more upon the practical aspects of living: how does one live a good life before God?
The answer to this question is radically different in each of the books. As you read them, be attentive to your own thoughts on the matter. Do any of these books mirror your understandings? If your understandings differ from them, can you articulate your own thoughts? Did these books change your understanding? Do you feel it is important for all the authors of biblical text to agree? How does it affect your understanding of the Bible to have this much disagreement? Is the apparent disagreement of thought real, or will closer study reveal an underlying agreement?
When reading the poetry, remember that poetry is not so much about historical accuracy as honestly expressing one’s feelings. Therefore, the biblical witness tells us that God will not abandon us, but at times we may feel abandoned. To write a poem in which we express that feeling reveals a truth of our lives, but not necessarily an historical truth.