July 29, 2024 • 14 mins
Welcome to another enlightening episode of The Heartbeat of Faith Podcast, hosted by the esteemed Dr. Andrew Farley. In this installment, we delve into a profound exploration of the Bible's structure, seeking to comprehend its essential elements and make sense of this timeless book. Our journey leads us to the Poetic books of the Bible, often referred to as Wisdom Literature, where the power of poetry weaves through the narrative. Join us as we dissect the beauty and wisdom encapsulated in Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon, addressing deep philosophical questions about life, suffering, and divine understanding.
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Our exploration extends to the remarkable story of Job, which challenges conventional wisdom about suffering and righteousness. As we delve into this poetic narrative, we'll learn that tragedy is not always deserved and that life's complexities can't always be neatly explained. Job's journey serves as a powerful reminder that we don't always deserve our suffering, just as we don't always deserve blessings. Finally, Song of Solomon takes us into the realm of romance and allegory, showcasing ancient Hebrew love and intimacy. It provides a unique perspective on Christ's love for us, though some of its content also speaks to human love. The crown jewel of Wisdom Literature, Psalms, will be our focus, with its rich emotional tapestry offering solace and guidance in our own spiritual journeys. These poetic texts invite us to slow down, embrace metaphor, and dive deeper into the profound truths they hold.
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For more encouragement in God's grace visit AndrewFarley.org.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Let us pray. O Lord, how manifold are thy works
in wisdom? Hast thou made them? All? The earth is
full of thy riches. Psalm chapter one, O four, Verse
twenty four. Dear Heavenly Father, you are not a god
that can be fully understood with human intellect. But I
(00:23):
am also grateful that you make your heart known to me.
You do not remain a total mystery shrouded in religious pomp.
You are accessible and kind to connect with me through
your spirit who indwells me. Thank you for the privilege
of experiencing oneness with you. Reveal yourself to me through
(00:44):
your powerful presence within me, through the new heart you
have given me, through your word and other believers around me.
I love you in Jesus name. I pray Amen, Thank
you for praying with me today. Now discover the profound
(01:05):
intricacies of scripture through prey dot COM's podcast The Heartbeat
of Faith with Doctor Andrew Farley.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
Welcome back to another episode of the Heartbeat of Faith podcast.
I'm doctor Andrew Farley and it's great to have you
join us today. We're here to explore the timeless question
what is the Bible and how can we comprehend its
elements and make sense of them. The Bible can be
(01:38):
divided into six sections law, history, poetry, prophecy, Gospel, and letters.
Today we explore the poetic books of the Bible, also
known as the wisdom literature. The poetic books of the
Bible are elegantly crafted to capture our imaginations and and
(02:00):
touch our souls. Today we look at the wisdom literature,
which is comprised of job Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song
of Solomon. Wisdom literature deals with the deep philosophical issues
like the problem of evil, poverty, and the meaning of life.
Speaker 3 (02:24):
To know wisdom and instruction, to discern the words of understanding,
to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice and equity.
To give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to
the young man. That the wise man may hear and
increase in learning. That the man of understanding may attain
(02:48):
to sound counsel to understand a proverb and parables, the
words and riddles of the Wise Proverbs one two through six.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
Proverbs offers us a more black and white lens to
look at the world. The book portrays God's wisdom and
how we can trust him, acknowledging his wisdom in every circumstance.
Speaker 3 (03:16):
Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don't lean
on your own understanding. In all your ways. Acknowledge Him
and he will make your paths straight. Don't be wise
in your own eyes, Fear Yahweh, and depart from evil
Proverbs three five through seven.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
Proverbs offers us God's wisdom. For example, Proverbs twenty two
tells us to raise our children to know God so
they won't depart from Him when they're older. While this
is what we can hope for and follow, it doesn't
always work out that way. You could raise your child
to love the Lord and they could still stray in adulthood.
(04:01):
Proverbs aren't always promises their wise instruction, regardless of the outcome.
Ecclesiastes balances the wisdom of Proverbs with biting realism about
the limits of what this world has to offer.
Speaker 3 (04:21):
I applied my heart to no wisdom and to know
madness and folly. I perceived that this also was a
chasing after wind. For in much wisdom is much grief,
and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow. Ecclesiastes one seventeen
through eighteen.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
Ecclesiastes is essentially reminding us that we can't get our
needs met by the world. The author Solomon observes injustice, inequality,
and cruelty in the world, and he also points out
that everyone dies in the end. Ecclesiastes is provocative philosophical
(05:05):
prose that takes the stance that everything can be perceived
as meaningless, of vapor and grasping at the wind. However,
this is only from the vantage point of someone who
lives on a horizontal plane of existence rather than a
vertical one. Meaning Solomon takes the stance of someone who
(05:29):
lives under the sun, a term for worldly living, a
life without God. That's why Solomon conveys the world's utter
meaninglessness through Ecclesiastes. He's talking about living without a deep
and meaningful relationship with God.
Speaker 3 (05:50):
I said in my heart, Come now, I will test
you with mirth. Therefore, enjoy pleasure and behold this a
so was vanity. I said, of laughter, it is foolishness.
And of mirth, what does it accomplish?
Speaker 2 (06:09):
Proverbs takes on the voice of an encouraging teacher. Ecclesiastes
points out the meaninglessness of life apart from God. Job, however,
seeks to challenge all our assumptions about blessing and points
us in a different direction. The book is written like poetry,
(06:31):
and it depicts Job's righteousness and God's willingness to allow suffering.
Speaker 3 (06:41):
The Lord spoke saying, have you seen my servant Job?
There is none like him. He fears me, turns away
from evil, and walks blamelessly before his peers. God's voice
was elated with pride as he spoke of his beloved Job.
It made Satan writhe where he stood, you coddle Job
(07:02):
like an infant. Satan snapped, there is a hedge of
protection over him miles wide. You blessed his work, his possessions,
and his family. Take it away from him, and I
promise he will curse you. God's confidence in Job was unwavering.
Do what you will to him. I give you permission,
(07:22):
only do not harm him. So Satan departed from the
presence of the Lord to descend upon Job like a whirlwind.
Speaker 2 (07:32):
Job didn't deserve tragedy, but his friends thought there had
to be a reason for his suffering. He must have
done something to deserve it. Right, well, the story of
Job is a reminder that tragedy is not always deserved,
and it's not always a consequence of sin. Sometimes were
(07:54):
victims of circumstance. But the Book of Job also reminds
us that we have no right to play the victim
card with God.
Speaker 3 (08:08):
Job did not respond to his servant. Instead, he walked away,
back towards his home. He walked a few hundred yards,
then fell on to his knees again. Job's tears released
like a damn breaking. He yelled, tore his shirt and
drove his face into the ground. Job was weeping, but
there was no bitterness behind his tears. His face lifted
(08:31):
towards Heaven as he said, I came to this world
with nothing naked naked, I shall return the Lord gave,
and now the Lord has taken away. Blessed be your
mighty name, O God. Job stretched his arms to Heaven.
His tears streamed down his face as he praised God.
Speaker 2 (08:53):
Song of Solomon presents us with ancient Hebrew romance and
imagery that serves as an allegory for Christ's love for
the Church. Of course, this allegory only goes so far,
since some of the Song of Solomon is only meant
to portray the love between a man and his beloved.
Speaker 3 (09:19):
Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth.
For your love is better than wine. Your oils have
a pleasing fragrance. Your name is oil poured out. Therefore
the virgins love you. Take me away with you. Let's hurry.
The King has brought me into his rooms. Song of
(09:40):
Solomon one two through four.
Speaker 2 (09:44):
The crown jewel of wisdom literature is psalms. The psalms
comprise one hundred and fifty songs written by various artists,
most notably King David. Psalms are a poetic outpouring to
t God from start to finish. Psalms take us on
an emotional journey as man wrestles to trust in God.
(10:09):
There are psalms of praise amid intense trials. There are
psalms of questioning and doubt. There are psalms of love, courage, depression,
and even anxiety. The psalms remind us that we were
made in the image of God and that God himself
experiences a full spectrum of emotion just like us, and
(10:35):
psalms provides healthy examples of how to wrestle with our
feelings before God.
Speaker 3 (10:45):
As the deer pence for the water brooks. So my
soul pens after you, God. My soul thirsts for God,
for the Living God. When shall I come and appear
before God? My tears have been my food day and night,
while they continually ask me, where is your God? These
(11:06):
things I remember and pour out my soul within me.
How I used to go with the crowd and led
them to God's house with the voice of joy and praise,
a multitude keeping a holy day. Why are you in despair,
my soul? Why are you disturbed? Within me? Hope in God,
(11:26):
for I shall still praise Him for the saving help
of His presence, Psalm forty two one through five.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
Biblical poetry is a profound invitation to immerse ourselves in
a deep well of wisdom while simultaneously embracing the remarkable
reality of God's grace revealed in the New Testament. Of course,
we need to remember our freedom from the Law, as
(11:57):
we're now dead to its demands and we're alive in
Christ with God's wisdom residing within us through the Holy Spirit.
So as we delve into the poetic books of the Bible,
we're invited to slow down, to savor and to reflect,
not as a means to earn God's favor, but as
(12:20):
a response to the grace He has freely given us.
The Bible is more than a mere historical record or
a list of rules. It is a journey into the
deep recesses of the soul, beckoning us toward wholeness. The
wisdom literature of the Old Testament, while rooted in a
(12:44):
different covenant, remains a bottomless well of understanding, posing questions
that resonate with the human experience. These books call us
to engage our imaginations and open our hearts, allowing art
to touch us in unique and profound ways. We as
(13:08):
human beings, are wired from music, metaphor, and poetry, needing
these forms of expression to navigate the deeper questions of existence.
As we immerse ourselves in the metaphoric richness and poetic
beauty of these texts, were guided to look beyond the
(13:31):
surface to uncover God's transcendent truth. However, we must also
hold these ancient words in tension with the grace and
truth revealed in Jesus Christ, remembering that we're now under
a new covenant, living by the spirit and not under
(13:52):
the law. In doing so, we embrace both the timeless
wisdom of the Old Testament and the transformative power of
God's grace, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us into
all truth. Thank you for listening to the Heartbeat of
(14:13):
Faith podcast. If you enjoyed today's episode, please leave us
a review and let us know how this series has
impacted your life. Remember to download the Prey dot com app,
and for more encouragement in God's grace, visit Andrewfarley dot org.
(14:33):
That's Andrewfarley dot org.
Let us pray. O Lord, how manifold are thy works
in wisdom? Hast thou made them? All? The earth is
full of thy riches. Psalm chapter one, O four, Verse
twenty four. Dear Heavenly Father, you are not a god
that can be fully understood with human intellect. But I
(00:23):
am also grateful that you make your heart known to me.
You do not remain a total mystery shrouded in religious pomp.
You are accessible and kind to connect with me through
your spirit who indwells me. Thank you for the privilege
of experiencing oneness with you. Reveal yourself to me through
(00:44):
your powerful presence within me, through the new heart you
have given me, through your word and other believers around me.
I love you in Jesus name. I pray Amen, Thank
you for praying with me today. Now discover the profound
(01:05):
intricacies of scripture through prey dot COM's podcast The Heartbeat
of Faith with Doctor Andrew Farley.
Speaker 2 (01:18):
Welcome back to another episode of the Heartbeat of Faith podcast.
I'm doctor Andrew Farley and it's great to have you
join us today. We're here to explore the timeless question
what is the Bible and how can we comprehend its
elements and make sense of them. The Bible can be
(01:38):
divided into six sections law, history, poetry, prophecy, Gospel, and letters.
Today we explore the poetic books of the Bible, also
known as the wisdom literature. The poetic books of the
Bible are elegantly crafted to capture our imaginations and and
(02:00):
touch our souls. Today we look at the wisdom literature,
which is comprised of job Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song
of Solomon. Wisdom literature deals with the deep philosophical issues
like the problem of evil, poverty, and the meaning of life.
Speaker 3 (02:24):
To know wisdom and instruction, to discern the words of understanding,
to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice and equity.
To give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to
the young man. That the wise man may hear and
increase in learning. That the man of understanding may attain
(02:48):
to sound counsel to understand a proverb and parables, the
words and riddles of the Wise Proverbs one two through six.
Speaker 2 (02:59):
Proverbs offers us a more black and white lens to
look at the world. The book portrays God's wisdom and
how we can trust him, acknowledging his wisdom in every circumstance.
Speaker 3 (03:16):
Trust in Yahweh with all your heart, and don't lean
on your own understanding. In all your ways. Acknowledge Him
and he will make your paths straight. Don't be wise
in your own eyes, Fear Yahweh, and depart from evil
Proverbs three five through seven.
Speaker 2 (03:36):
Proverbs offers us God's wisdom. For example, Proverbs twenty two
tells us to raise our children to know God so
they won't depart from Him when they're older. While this
is what we can hope for and follow, it doesn't
always work out that way. You could raise your child
to love the Lord and they could still stray in adulthood.
(04:01):
Proverbs aren't always promises their wise instruction, regardless of the outcome.
Ecclesiastes balances the wisdom of Proverbs with biting realism about
the limits of what this world has to offer.
Speaker 3 (04:21):
I applied my heart to no wisdom and to know
madness and folly. I perceived that this also was a
chasing after wind. For in much wisdom is much grief,
and he who increases knowledge increases sorrow. Ecclesiastes one seventeen
through eighteen.
Speaker 2 (04:42):
Ecclesiastes is essentially reminding us that we can't get our
needs met by the world. The author Solomon observes injustice, inequality,
and cruelty in the world, and he also points out
that everyone dies in the end. Ecclesiastes is provocative philosophical
(05:05):
prose that takes the stance that everything can be perceived
as meaningless, of vapor and grasping at the wind. However,
this is only from the vantage point of someone who
lives on a horizontal plane of existence rather than a
vertical one. Meaning Solomon takes the stance of someone who
(05:29):
lives under the sun, a term for worldly living, a
life without God. That's why Solomon conveys the world's utter
meaninglessness through Ecclesiastes. He's talking about living without a deep
and meaningful relationship with God.
Speaker 3 (05:50):
I said in my heart, Come now, I will test
you with mirth. Therefore, enjoy pleasure and behold this a
so was vanity. I said, of laughter, it is foolishness.
And of mirth, what does it accomplish?
Speaker 2 (06:09):
Proverbs takes on the voice of an encouraging teacher. Ecclesiastes
points out the meaninglessness of life apart from God. Job, however,
seeks to challenge all our assumptions about blessing and points
us in a different direction. The book is written like poetry,
(06:31):
and it depicts Job's righteousness and God's willingness to allow suffering.
Speaker 3 (06:41):
The Lord spoke saying, have you seen my servant Job?
There is none like him. He fears me, turns away
from evil, and walks blamelessly before his peers. God's voice
was elated with pride as he spoke of his beloved Job.
It made Satan writhe where he stood, you coddle Job
(07:02):
like an infant. Satan snapped, there is a hedge of
protection over him miles wide. You blessed his work, his possessions,
and his family. Take it away from him, and I
promise he will curse you. God's confidence in Job was unwavering.
Do what you will to him. I give you permission,
(07:22):
only do not harm him. So Satan departed from the
presence of the Lord to descend upon Job like a whirlwind.
Speaker 2 (07:32):
Job didn't deserve tragedy, but his friends thought there had
to be a reason for his suffering. He must have
done something to deserve it. Right, well, the story of
Job is a reminder that tragedy is not always deserved,
and it's not always a consequence of sin. Sometimes were
(07:54):
victims of circumstance. But the Book of Job also reminds
us that we have no right to play the victim
card with God.
Speaker 3 (08:08):
Job did not respond to his servant. Instead, he walked away,
back towards his home. He walked a few hundred yards,
then fell on to his knees again. Job's tears released
like a damn breaking. He yelled, tore his shirt and
drove his face into the ground. Job was weeping, but
there was no bitterness behind his tears. His face lifted
(08:31):
towards Heaven as he said, I came to this world
with nothing naked naked, I shall return the Lord gave,
and now the Lord has taken away. Blessed be your
mighty name, O God. Job stretched his arms to Heaven.
His tears streamed down his face as he praised God.
Speaker 2 (08:53):
Song of Solomon presents us with ancient Hebrew romance and
imagery that serves as an allegory for Christ's love for
the Church. Of course, this allegory only goes so far,
since some of the Song of Solomon is only meant
to portray the love between a man and his beloved.
Speaker 3 (09:19):
Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth.
For your love is better than wine. Your oils have
a pleasing fragrance. Your name is oil poured out. Therefore
the virgins love you. Take me away with you. Let's hurry.
The King has brought me into his rooms. Song of
(09:40):
Solomon one two through four.
Speaker 2 (09:44):
The crown jewel of wisdom literature is psalms. The psalms
comprise one hundred and fifty songs written by various artists,
most notably King David. Psalms are a poetic outpouring to
t God from start to finish. Psalms take us on
an emotional journey as man wrestles to trust in God.
(10:09):
There are psalms of praise amid intense trials. There are
psalms of questioning and doubt. There are psalms of love, courage, depression,
and even anxiety. The psalms remind us that we were
made in the image of God and that God himself
experiences a full spectrum of emotion just like us, and
(10:35):
psalms provides healthy examples of how to wrestle with our
feelings before God.
Speaker 3 (10:45):
As the deer pence for the water brooks. So my
soul pens after you, God. My soul thirsts for God,
for the Living God. When shall I come and appear
before God? My tears have been my food day and night,
while they continually ask me, where is your God? These
(11:06):
things I remember and pour out my soul within me.
How I used to go with the crowd and led
them to God's house with the voice of joy and praise,
a multitude keeping a holy day. Why are you in despair,
my soul? Why are you disturbed? Within me? Hope in God,
(11:26):
for I shall still praise Him for the saving help
of His presence, Psalm forty two one through five.
Speaker 2 (11:36):
Biblical poetry is a profound invitation to immerse ourselves in
a deep well of wisdom while simultaneously embracing the remarkable
reality of God's grace revealed in the New Testament. Of course,
we need to remember our freedom from the Law, as
(11:57):
we're now dead to its demands and we're alive in
Christ with God's wisdom residing within us through the Holy Spirit.
So as we delve into the poetic books of the Bible,
we're invited to slow down, to savor and to reflect,
not as a means to earn God's favor, but as
(12:20):
a response to the grace He has freely given us.
The Bible is more than a mere historical record or
a list of rules. It is a journey into the
deep recesses of the soul, beckoning us toward wholeness. The
wisdom literature of the Old Testament, while rooted in a
(12:44):
different covenant, remains a bottomless well of understanding, posing questions
that resonate with the human experience. These books call us
to engage our imaginations and open our hearts, allowing art
to touch us in unique and profound ways. We as
(13:08):
human beings, are wired from music, metaphor, and poetry, needing
these forms of expression to navigate the deeper questions of existence.
As we immerse ourselves in the metaphoric richness and poetic
beauty of these texts, were guided to look beyond the
(13:31):
surface to uncover God's transcendent truth. However, we must also
hold these ancient words in tension with the grace and
truth revealed in Jesus Christ, remembering that we're now under
a new covenant, living by the spirit and not under
(13:52):
the law. In doing so, we embrace both the timeless
wisdom of the Old Testament and the transformative power of
God's grace, allowing the Holy Spirit to guide us into
all truth. Thank you for listening to the Heartbeat of
(14:13):
Faith podcast. If you enjoyed today's episode, please leave us
a review and let us know how this series has
impacted your life. Remember to download the Prey dot com app,
and for more encouragement in God's grace, visit Andrewfarley dot org.
(14:33):
That's Andrewfarley dot org.
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