Interpreting Old Testament Wisdom Literature

by David G. Firth (Editor), Lindsay Wilson (Editor)

Overview

In popular perception, Wisdom literature is a "self-help" or "philosophy" section of the Old Testament library—the odd and interesting bits of canonical mortar between History and Prophets. Themes that are prominent elsewhere in the Old Testament receive only scant attention in the wisdom books. Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes focus on everyday life rather than on God's special dealings with the nation of Israel. But Old Testament scholarship has come to see the wisdom of the wise as reflecting an aspect of the Israelite worldview, not something totally foreign. The covenant beliefs are presupposed, even if rarely rising to the surface. Wisdom must be learned from parents, teachers, and friends, but it is ultimately a gift from God—not primarily intellectual but intensely practical. The issues addressed—justice, faith, wealth, suffering, meaning, sexuality—are highly relevant today. The focus of this volume is on both wisdom books and wisdom ideas. The first section surveys recent developments in the field of Old Testament wisdom, and the second section discusses some issues that have arisen in Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes, and examines the Song of Songs as a wisdom text. The final section explores wisdom in Ruth, in some Psalms, and in the broader field of Old Testament narrative (from Joshua to Esther), while also examining wisdom, biblical theology, the concept of retribution in wisdom, and the vexed issue of divine absence. The following contributors are featured:

• Christopher B. Ansberry
• Craig G. Bartholomew
• Lennart Boström
• Ros Clarke
• Katharine J. Dell
• David G. Firth
• Gregory Goswell
• Ernest C. Lucas
• Brittany N. Melton
• Simon Stocks
• Lindsay Wilson

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780830891122
Publisher:	IVP Academic
Publication date:	03/21/2017
Sold by:	Bookwire
Format:	eBook
Pages:	248
File size:	4 MB

About the Author

David G. Firth is Old Testament tutor and head of research at St. John's College, Nottingham, England. He is the author of 1 2 Samuel (Apollos Old Testament Commentary), The Message of Esther, and The Message of Joshua, and he is the coeditor of Interpreting the Psalms, Interpreting Isaiah, and Words the Word.

Lindsay Wilson is academic dean and senior lecturer in Old Testament at Ridley Melbourne Mission and Ministry College, Australia. He has also taught in India, Myanmar, Pakistan, Malaysia, and England.

David G. Firth is tutor in Old Testament at Trinity College, Bristol. He is the author of 1 and 2 Samuel (Apollos Old Testament Commentary), The Message of Joshua, and Including the Stranger, and the coeditor of Interpreting the Psalms, Interpreting Isaiah, Words and the Word, and Presence, Power and Promise.

Lindsay Wilson is academic dean and senior lecturer in Old Testament at Ridley Melbourne Mission and Ministry College, Australia. He has also taught in India, Myanmar, Pakistan, Malaysia, and England.

Table of Contents

List of contributors
List of abbreviations
Introduction (David G. Firth and Lindsay Wilson)
Part I: The study of Wisdom today
1. Old Testament wisdom today (Craig G. Bartholomew)
Part II: The Wisdom literature
2. The book of Proverbs: some current issues (Ernest C. Lucas)
3. Job as a problematic book (Lindsay Wilson)
4. Reading Ecclesiastes with the scholars (Katharine J. Dell)
5. Seeking wisdom in the Song of Songs (Rosalind Clarke)
Part III: Themes
6. Is Ruth also among the wise? (Gregory Goswell)
7. Retribution and wisdom literature (Lennart Boström)
8. Worrying about the wise: wisdom in Old Testament narrative (David G. Firth)
9. Wisdom and biblical theology (Christopher B. Ansberry)
10. 'Children, listen to me': the voicing of wisdom in the Psalms (Simon P. Stocks)
11. 'Oh, that I knew where to find him': aspects of divine absence in Proverbs, Job and Ecclesiastes (Brittany N. Melton)
Index of authors
Index of Scripture references

What People are Saying About This

Richard S. Hess

"With the assistance of nine other scholars, Firth and Wilson have provided us with the finest of introductions to the theological reading and research of Old Testament wisdom. Wide ranging in its coverage of the biblical and modern literature and clear in its explanation of major issues and themes, this book will benefit students, teachers, and all who love wisdom."

William Ford

"This is a useful resource for anyone studying or teaching in this area."

Daniel J. Estes

"David Firth and Lindsay Wilson have placed us in their debt by compiling this excellent collection on Old Testament wisdom. Drawing together esteemed senior scholars as well as insightful younger voices in the field, this anthology provides a rich and expansive description of the study of Old Testament wisdom today. Be prepared to be informed, challenged, stretched, and inspired by this superb volume."

Editorial Reviews

"David Firth and Lindsay Wilson have placed us in their debt by compiling this excellent collection on Old Testament wisdom. Drawing together esteemed senior scholars as well as insightful younger voices in the field, this anthology provides a rich and expansive description of the study of Old Testament wisdom today. Be prepared to be informed, challenged, stretched, and inspired by this superb volume."

Daniel J. Estes

"This is a useful resource for anyone studying or teaching in this area."

William Ford

"With the assistance of nine other scholars, Firth and Wilson have provided us with the finest of introductions to the theological reading and research of Old Testament wisdom. Wide ranging in its coverage of the biblical and modern literature and clear in its explanation of major issues and themes, this book will benefit students, teachers, and all who love wisdom."

Richard S. Hess