In the last month’s newsletter, we examined the prophetic literature and its theology. If you recall, some major themes in this section is the call to repentance and how God will forgive if His people will turn from sin. Also, if God’s people do not repent, He will bring judgment as seen in the nations of Israel and Judah. However, it was during those troubled times that God gave the greatest promise as seen in the New Covenant.

This month we will conclude this topic on theology in the Old Testament by examining the Writings section, which includes Job, Psalms, Proverbs, etc. The Writings section mostly contains poetic material, like Psalms. The main theme in this section is one’s individual relationship with God. The book of Job answers the question of not why does bad things happen to good people, but rather what is the proper response when bad things happen to good people. Also, in chapter 19 Job realizes that there is a mediator that goes between him and God, for Job knew he was not worthy to go before a holy God. Yet through this book, God teaches us that there is a separation between God and His creation but also that there is a mediator who goes to God on man’s behalf.

Psalms are worship songs set up in five books that were arranged to coincide with the calendar year. Think of our hymns like Luther’s A Mighty Fortress, which focuses on God being that wall or castle that cannot fall no matter who comes against it. The Psalms teach us that God is personal in that He wants to be active in our daily life. On the other hand, some Psalms stress the holiness and separation of God, while others focus on man’s response such as David’s repentance in Psalm 51. The purpose is for the individual to grow deeper in his or her personal relationship with God.

The Wisdom literature in this section of the Writings contains Proverbs, Song of Solomon, Ruth, Ecclesiastes, Lamentations, and Esther. This section teaches practical applications to live the life that is pleasing to God. Deuteronomy 6:4 and following calls for the nation to teach the children how to walk in the ways of the Lord and Proverbs is the fulfillment of the call in Deuteronomy. Song of Solomon and Ruth (according to the order in the Hebrew Bible), maintain the theological theme of a godly woman found in Proverbs 31:10 and following. Whereas in Lamentations and Esther God calls His people to faith in uncertain times.

The final books in the Hebrew Bible are Daniel, Ezra-Nehemiah and Chronicles. Daniel contains two main themes of: living a godly life in an ungodly world and second that God is in control of history. Ezra-Nehemiah is a message of hope and faithfulness as seen in the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem and the reading of the Word of God by Ezra. Finally, the book of Chronicles recounts the history of the kings of Israel and Judah and how they failed to keep the old covenant. However, where Daniel left off looking forward to the coming Messiah through the seventy weeks, the end of Chronicles is the kickoff of when to start counting the weeks. In other words, at the end of the Hebrew Bible the reader is left waiting for the promise of the Messiah.