Poetry, Part 1 / The Old Testament from 30,000 Feet

Weekend Service for May 26 Scripture Reading: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs Today, we are taking a broad look at the Old Testament, examining it from a high-level perspective to understand the overarching themes and messages. It's easy to get lost in the details of specific stories, controversies, or beautiful verses, but our goal is to see the big picture. The central theme that runs through the entire Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, is the importance of believing in God and obeying His word. This is not about the mechanics of creation or the specifics of judgment; it's about faith and trust in God. In Genesis, the fundamental issue was simple: believe in God and obey His command not to eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. This theme continues with Abraham, whose faith was counted as righteousness. God’s accounting system is different from ours; it’s not about climbing a ladder of righteousness through our actions but about believing in God and obeying His word. When Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, they encountered a culture with a very different worldview. The Ten Commandments given to them were not just imperatives but future indicatives, describing the kind of people they would become by following God. The history of Israel, as we saw last week, is filled with ups and downs, but the message remains the same: believe in God and obey His word. Today, we are starting with the wisdom literature, which includes Job, Psalms, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes. These books offer a different feel and focus on practical wisdom for living a life that honors God. The Psalms, for example, cover all aspects of life: praise, complaint, lament, and repentance. They teach us how to relate to God in various circumstances, whether we are joyful, in despair, or in need of repentance. Proverbs, written by Solomon, offers pithy statements of wisdom that guide us in daily living. Ecclesiastes, also attributed to Solomon, reflects on the futility of life when wisdom is not applied. Despite having great wisdom, Solomon did not always live by it, leading to a sense of hopelessness and misery. The conclusion of Ecclesiastes is a return to the fundamental truth: believe in God and obey His word. The wisdom literature was written by some of the most powerful men in Israel's history, like David and Solomon, and it emphasizes that power and privilege are not God's ways to accomplish life. Instead, humility and purity of heart are what God values. Psalm 24, for example, highlights that those who may stand in God's holy place are not the powerful or wealthy but those with clean hands and a pure heart. Job, a central figure in wisdom literature, deals with the ultimate human issue: why do good people suffer? Job was a righteous man who experienced immense suffering, and his story challenges us to maintain our faith in God even when life is destructive. The book of Job teaches us that we cannot save ourselves; only God can. It also emphasizes that wisdom requires a change in our personal culture, moving from a self-centered perspective to one that aligns with God's wisdom. In conclusion, the wisdom literature helps us navigate the complexities of life by providing divine wisdom and guidance. It teaches us to believe in God and obey His word, even when life is challenging. This is the essence of living a life that honors God.