Old Testament Session 8

Question 1

Know when the Book of Proverbs, in its present form, was composed

Answer 1

Reign of Hezekiah (715-686 BC) or later

Question 2

Know the 4 components given by Prof. Wind in answer to the question, “What is a proverb?”

Answer 2

• A concise expression communicating a truth of life
• Comparison based on observation, code of behavior, discovery of truth
• Practical wisdom based on life experiences
• General principles

Question 3

Know 2 characteristics of the poetry of the Book of Proverbs

Answer 3

Parallelism, rich imagery

Question 4

Know 4 of the 9 common topics of the Book of Proverbs

Answer 4

• Importance of spoken word
• Sex and marriage
• The harmonious home
• Child rearing
• Friendship
• Work ethic
• diligence/laziness
• Social ethics
• Principles for leadership/government

Question 5

Know who is addressed 17 times in Proverbs 1-9

Answer 5

My son/sons

Question 6

Know how the concept of “fear of the Lord” is best understood

Answer 6

“Exhibiting covenant faithfulness towards the Lord”

Question 7

Know what both Proverbs and Deuteronomy highlight about who should be the recipients of God’s wisdom

Answer 7

Children?

Question 8

Know the message which the words of Agur at the end of the Book of Proverbs help to communicate to the reader

Answer 8

Inadequate general revelation, need for special revelation

Question 9

Know the meaning of the Hebrew word “megilloth”

Answer 9

The scrolls

Question 10

Know what the common order of the Five Scrolls in the Hebrew Bible today reflects

Answer 10

“the typical liturgical usage of the five books within the Jewish synagogue, following the order of the major festivals”

Question 11

Know how the Five Scrolls personify wisdom

Answer 11

Feminine

Question 12

Know the historical dating of the events of the Book of Ruth (if there are no gaps in the genealogy)

Answer 12

1100 BC

Question 13

Know the 4 themes of the Book of Ruth

Answer 13

• God’s faithfulness to the promise of the seed/king
• The providence of a sovereign God
• Inclusion of Gentiles in God’s covenant plan
• Overall narrative movement (death to life, famine to plenty, etc.)

Question 14

Know the 2 interpretive suggestions, offered by Prof. Wind, concerning Song of Solomon

Answer 14

• Love poem, expressing the beauty of God’s design for marriage
• Portrayal of sexual desire “as a picture of something beyond the imagery itself” (unfulfilled desire/longing – pursuit of wisdom)

Question 15

Know what Song of Solomon pictures within the OT canon, according to Prof. Wind

Answer 15

Commending patient longing for the coming seed

Question 16

Know the 3 part pattern and message which characterizes Song of Solomon

Answer 16

• The time of the seed’s arrival has not yet come
• Patiently desire the seed’s arrival
• The seed’s arrival will be a new exodus and bring the Kingdom of God in its fullness

Question 17

Know the 2 interpretive suggestions, offered by Prof. Wind, concerning Ecclesiastes

Answer 17

• About the preacher, not by the preacher

- Wise and true words that do not display the complete picture

Question 18

Know the motto of the Book of Ecclesiastes

Answer 18

Everything is vanity/meaningless

Question 19

Know what the 5 lament poems of Lamentations are all lamenting

Answer 19

The destruction of Jerusalem

Question 20

Know the 2 points of wisdom which the Book of Lamentations communicates

Answer 20

• Wisdom acknowledges the rulership/justice of the Lord

- Wisdom hopes in God’s promises and waits patiently

Question 21

Know the recurring OT motif that the Book of Esther demonstrates

Answer 21

“a gifted Israelite is taken into the palace of a foreign king and is thereby granted an opportunity to preserve the life of God’s people”

Question 22

Know the 2 ways that the “Hidden God” of the Book of Esther accomplishes his purposes

Answer 22

• Believing actions of his people

- Unwitting actions of his enemies

Question 23

Know how Prof. Wind labeled the structure of the Book of Esther

Answer 23

Feasting and fasting