OTBS 203: Poetic Books

Subtitle: Wisdom and Worship in Job, Psalms, Proverbs, and more.

Course Description

Welcome to OTBS 203! This course shifts our focus from the historical narratives of the Torah and the Former Prophets to the very heart of the Hebrew Scriptures. Here, we will explore the rich, inspired tapestry of biblical poetry and wisdom literature found in Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon. These books grapple with the deepest questions of human existence: the problem of suffering, the nature of true worship, the path of practical wisdom, the meaning of life, and the beauty of covenantal love. You will learn to appreciate the unique literary forms of Hebrew poetry and gain timeless, practical insights for your own life of faith.

Course Structure

This course is composed of five chapters, each building upon the last to provide a comprehensive exploration of the Poetic Books. Each chapter includes a detailed summary, five in-depth lessons, a chapter test, and an optional “Deep Dive” for further study. The course culminates in a final course test.

• Course: Syllabus + Interactive Syllabus + 5 Chapters + Course Test
• Chapter: Summary + 5 Lessons + Chapter Test + Deep Dive

Course Objectives

Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Identify Literary Genres: Distinguish between the various forms of Hebrew poetry, including wisdom literature, lament, praise, and proverbial sayings.
• Analyze Poetic Devices: Recognize and explain key literary features of Hebrew poetry, such as parallelism, metaphor, chiasm, and acrostics.
• Articulate Major Themes: Explain the central theological message of each poetic book, including theodicy in Job, worship and Christology in Psalms, practical ethics in Proverbs, existential questions in Ecclesiastes, and covenant love in the Song of Solomon.
• Engage with Difficult Questions: Thoughtfully engage with the complex issues raised in the wisdom literature, such as the problem of evil and the meaning of life “under the sun.”
• Apply Wisdom to Life: Translate the ancient wisdom of these texts into practical principles for contemporary Christian living, decision-making, and worship.
• Enrich Personal Devotion: Utilize the Psalms to enrich personal and corporate prayer and worship.

Course Outline

Chapter 1: When Faith Is Tested – The Riddle of Suffering (The Book of Job)

• Lesson 1: The Heavenly Accusation & The Earthly Calamity (Job 1-3)
• Lesson 2: The Counsel of the Comfortable: The Speeches of the Friends (Job 4-27)
• Lesson 3: Where Can Wisdom Be Found? The Interlude on Wisdom (Job 28)
• Lesson 4: The Whirlwind Appears: The Divine Speeches (Job 38-41)
• Lesson 5: Repentance in Dust and Ashes: The Restoration of Job (Job 42)

Chapter 2: The Anatomy of Worship – Israel’s Prayer Book (The Book of Psalms, Part 1)

• Lesson 1: The Gateway to Worship: An Introduction to Hebrew Poetry (Psalms 1-2)
• Lesson 2: Cries from the Depths: The Psalms of Lament
• Lesson 3: A Sacrifice of Praise: The Psalms of Thanksgiving
• Lesson 4: Enthroned in Zion: The Royal and Messianic Psalms
• Lesson 5: A Cry for Justice: The Imprecatory Psalms

Chapter 3: A Treasury of Praise – Israel’s Hymnbook (The Book of Psalms, Part 2)

• Lesson 1: The Fear of the LORD: The Wisdom Psalms
• Lesson 2: Your Word is a Lamp: The Torah Psalms (Psalm 19, 119)
• Lesson 3: The LORD is My Shepherd: The Psalms of Trust
• Lesson 4: Remembering the Mighty Deeds: The Historical Psalms
• Lesson 5: The Five Books of the Psalter: The Shape and Structure of the Collection

Chapter 4: The Path of Wisdom – Two Voices, One Goal (Proverbs & Ecclesiastes)

• Lesson 1: The Call of Lady Wisdom vs. Dame Folly (Proverbs 1-9)
• Lesson 2: Wisdom for the Real World: The Collections of Solomon (Proverbs 10-29)
• Lesson 3: The Woman of Valor: The Conclusion of Proverbs (Proverbs 30-31)
• Lesson 4: Chasing the Wind: The Preacher’s Search for Meaning (Ecclesiastes 1-6)
• Lesson 5: The End of the Matter: Fear God and Keep His Commandments (Ecclesiastes 7-12)

Chapter 5: The Mystery of Love – A Holy Allegory (The Song of Solomon)

• Lesson 1: The Most Excellent Song: An Introduction
• Lesson 2: The Voice of the Beloved (The Bride)
• Lesson 3: The Voice of the Lover (The Groom)
• Lesson 4: Interpreting the Song: Allegory, Typology, and Literal Readings
• Lesson 5: A Love as Strong as Death: The Song as a Picture of Christ and His Church

Assessments & Grading

• Chapter Quizzes: Short quizzes will follow each lesson to assess comprehension.
• Chapter Tests: A test at the end of each of the five chapters will review the material covered.
• Final Course Test: A comprehensive final exam will cover the key ideas from all five chapters.
• Passing Requirement: To successfully complete this course, you must achieve a score of 80% or higher on each of the five Chapter Tests and the Final Course Test.