Writings Flashcards
(6 cards)
Ezra-Nehemiah
Author: Unknown
1. About the return from exile and rebuilding the temple and wall. After Cyrus decree
2. Focus on rebuilding the temple and wall amid opposition
3. Ezra was a priest and scribe
4. Ezra helps rebuild the community
5. Problem of intermarriage at the end of the book of Ezra
6. Nehemiah shows that things were not all great, as the people still need reforming.
7. Nehemiah: They seal the covenant. Set things back up, but all not great
Christ: Jesus is the greater temple, who is foreshadowed. The temple he builds is final and glorious. We look forward to the day when the people will be completely holy when all things are made new.
Esther
Author: Unkown
1. Written to explain origin of Purim
2. God is never mentioned in the book
3. Centered around banquets and feasting
4. Though God is not mentioned, he providentially cares for his people and preserves them.
5. Resolves the problem of the Amalikites (Haman is a descendent), who were to blotted out.
Christ: Esther intervenes on behalf of the people. God preserves his people, ultimately bringing Christ
Job
Author: Unknown
1. Deals with questions of tragedy and suffering, as Job suffers though a righteous man.
2. Job is from Uz
3. Takes place during the patriarchal period
4. Prologue and some narrative, but primarily speeches in poetic form
5. Shows the inadequacy of human wisdom. Not all can be explained
Christ: Jesus is the righteous sufferer who suffers unjustly. His friends could not understand, but Jesus suffers for his people.
Proverbs
Author: Solomon and others
1. Framed from the perspective of a Father to his son
2. The Fear of the Lord is the basis of wisdom in chapter 1
3. 1-9 are the Call to Wisdom, while the rest of the book explains how wisdom operates in practical detail. Sentence Proverbs
4. Chapter 31:10-31 serve as an epilogue, with the woman showcasing wisdom’s themes.
Christ: Christ is full of wisdom, as seen in his life and teaching. He is the incarnation of God’s wisdom. Faith in Christ is wisdom
Eccelsiastes
Author: Qohelet, who some may take to be Solomon
1. Life Under the Sun
2. Theme of “vanity” in the book (Hebel)… Vanity of toil, gain, etc…
3. Fearing God is the whole purpose of man in chapter 12
4. Understanding one’s own limitations
Christ: Christ is the one who defeats death, and will bring an end to the vanity of life. We wait for his return.
Song of Songs
Author: Solomon or someone else
1. Celebration of earthly, marital love
2. Predominant interpretation used to be allegorical, but many take it as literal
3. Poetic language
4. Has multiple voices: The lovers and the companions of the woman
5. Love is as strong as death (8:6) and should be treated seriously
Christ: Marriage is ultimately a picture of Christ and his church. It illustrates Christ.
