Contrast the Book of Ecclesiastes with Job and Proverbs - Term Paper Example

Comparison and Contrast the Book of Ecclesiastes, Job, and Proverbs The books of Job, Proverbs and Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament stand out from the other Hebrew writings that deal with the themes of covenant, law and history as they instead give clear illustrations of the human voices as they cry out to God. The books deal with the questions that quest to find the answers to the meaning of life, the existence of man and how one reconciles with the truth that inequity and suffering can rage in through the persons who are innocent and righteous. Job quests to answer and give reasons as to why the righteous can undergo suffering and why God does not do something concerning it. The book of Proverbs on the other hand gives an account of the expressions of man in the radiance of God’s wisdom and counsel. The book does this through giving of practical living teachings, righteousness and actions as well as attitudes that are godly. Lastly, Ecclesiastes gives an expression of man to himself, as he appears to question the existence of inequities as well as idiocy in life (Whybray 24). Job provides for an exception of the general rule that is depicted in Proverbs, as it does not matter how Job lived as the supernatural powers in this case God, demons and angles. The supernatural powers also include persons who could interrupt the formal way of things and have the Book of Proverbs to seem untruthful to persons who aspires to live wisely but finds his life a disaster. This is different from the book of Ecclesiastes that provides accounts that we can relate to be as true to the normal personal experiences that persons can live a horrible life but still be successful. One could possibly read the proverbs and identify a clear theme being emphasized unlike the Job. Job is better understood if read as a whole unlike any other book in the Old Testament (Whybray 28). The essay will quest to give a detailed juxtaposition of Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes while citing the relevant themes and illustrations from the Bible. The books of Ecclesiastes, Job, and Proverb widely fall under a broad category in the wisdom literature in revealing God’s nature. Here, wisdom literature consists of instructions for contemplations of successful living on the complexity of both human and God nature. Wisdom literature is divided into two namely; speculative and proverbial wisdom. Proverbial wisdom is displayed in the book of proverbs whereby pithy, short sayings whereby God’s nature is revealed in set rules for personal welfare and happiness. Speculative wisdom is found in the book of Ecclesiastes and Jobs. Wisdom in Ecclesiastes is in term of monologues whereas job wisdom literature is that of dialogues. In this type of speculative wisdom, God nature is revealed through problems as a way of shaping the relationship between people and God (Rowley, p. 234). To begin with, the Book of Job purposes to give a justification of Job’s fear for God. The book is a direct of companion to the facts of the accounts of life that were written by Solomon in the books of Proverbs and Ecclesiastes. Despite him being wealthy (Job 1:13), Job undergoes a lot of suffering and gives us the true illustrations of faith, trust and perseverance. Through the book God’s character and justice is placed at the forefront of all the discussions that Job had with his friends. In Job 3, job curses the day of his birth and relates it to darkness, chaos and gloom as well as cursing his maker we are made to seek to know if at all man can be just and blameless in the eyes of the Lord. Through Eliphaz (Job 6:24-30) we are given the idea that God only reproves those who are unjust and wicked and this is believed to be the cause for Job’s suffering. However, Job accounts that no man is just and blameless before the lord and is quick to ask for clemency. The book incites diverse interpretations, which range from basic morality to philosophical discussions (Rowley, 295). The book emphasizes on the importance of wisdom, as this is what Job used to accept God’s actions. He is presented as both a saint and a hero. The knowledge we get from the Job’s experiences is occasioned by the battle of supremacy between God and Satan. The dominant theme experienced in the book is the difficulty to understand why an all-powerful high powerful God can allow his people to suffer. The emphasis of the suffering and success depicted in the book makes it an experience that is purifying and desirable. In spite of him being branded as blasphemous and rebellious by a section of secular critics, the book holds a view of the mysterious purposes and way of God that are unfathomable and mysterious. In some cases, it is perceived that He can intervene in cases that are not just. This is depicted in Job 3 as Job’s friends wondered how a just man as Job would be subdued by misfortunes and how the Lord would allow the devil to tempt him in modes that he could possibly be unable to avoid. In some cases, we are left to wonder why he had to be punished. His faith and trust in God are tested beyond limits and despite of him cursing he still holds on to having an answer from God. The book emphasizes in the need to be aware that the world operates under the control of a fallen being. The attributes of God in Job 6, 7 and 8 include mercy, kindness, and grace. It depicts that all the life is valuable. Despite his suffering, God still sustains his strength and does not allow the devil to kill him. Through his lamenting, God is portrayed as a wild animal that in repeated assaults he tears its prey voraciously. It is perceived that he enjoys terrorizing his victim and relentlessly tears away any resistance the victim might muster. Job becomes a spectacle and an attraction to all who wonder why he would still hold his faith on a supreme being who certainly does not care. He apparently explains that the lord has turned him over towards the vicious (Job 8:22; 11:20). God is likened to a ferocious being who grabs him by the nape and leaves him shattered after administering him with a beating that is torturous (Rowley 354). It is quite evident that in the bible, wisdom is considered practical and one, which is God, oriented. Wisdom is defined as insight, skills, and knowledge usage to the glory of God. In the book of proverb, the nature of God is defined using wisdom. It relates wisdom to one relationship with God as opposed to attainment before men or formal education. Nature of God revealed here gives the indication that worldly wisdom is knowledge away from divine revelation is considered to be opposing God’s nature. God nature in proverbs requires us to use wisdom to make every good thing in life to its designed rightful purpose. His nature indicates that wisdom is more than wit, worldly prudence, or even shrewd common sense [Proverbs1:1-7]. The book of Proverbs tends to overemphasize in the simplicity within human nature character by way of generalizing various categories as well as summarizing variety of men as either foolish or wise. Further, the other category is that of being simple. Simple individuals are those who are depicted as having chosen the path of wisdom or folly or one standing at crossroads (Proverbs 9). Through this, the nature of God is revealed in a believer through embracing, strengthening, and fortifying on one character. The believer is able to energize, vitalize, and energize his walk with God (Rowley 465). The Proverbs is similar to the Book of Job as they all emphasize on the need to have wisdom. The book emphasizes on the wisdom that is only given by God and is only found through fearing him as emphasized in Proverbs 1. This is a sign that God is not against the use of discretion and common sense. The book impresses on its forcible manner and value for intelligence and pursuit for prudence through education. The importance of wisdom is also echoed in Job, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon. The sentiments on the importance of wisdom are also echoed in James of the New Testament. Proverbs strategically points out to the plan of God for salvation in a subtle way. The book identifies God as the author and giver of wisdom upon which the Israelites and the people of the world are to live upon. He intends the people to put the wisdom into practice as they live and by so doing, they are demonstrating the qualities of Christ Jesus. It is vital to note that God wishes for people to follow his advices as given in the proverbs (Proverbs 3:5-6). He is thought to delight in the persons who are hard working and well disciplined as the Proverb teaches in the many characters whose examples are cited. Righteousness is perceived to be better than evil and it always triumphs in all the cases. The principles of life that are depicted in the bible are to act as the guiding steps of the life of a human being. Persons are to benefit from the benefits of warnings that are given against cases like adultery (Proverbs 11-18) as they are aimed at helping one have a long fruitful and prosperous life. The reverence and willingness to fear God is aimed at bringing good knowledge that is to help one to guard against deceitful ways. In addition, it is revealed in the proverbs that understanding in human beings is because of wisdom. Wisdom and understanding are thought to be complementing each other as persons who have wisdom have the understanding of the principles of God as well as his teachings. The understanding of the principles and teaching goes hand in hand with their application in the real life situation (Archer. P. 543). Compared to the book of Ecclesiastes and Job, the main goal and subject displayed in the book of Proverb is attaining wisdom. This can be supported by quoting the Proverbs 1:2 “for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight”. This is similar in the two books being compared as it implies wisdom has more to do with justice and righteousness as opposed to only intelligence. All the books give indication of wisdom that produces practical knowledge and character strengthening coupled with how one can control one’s life. Proverbs just like in Ecclesiastes and Job nature of God is revealed through the use of wisdom to discover God’s mind or in simpler term “seeing life as God see it”. These three books focus on Hebrew wisdom movement, which revealed in the antecedents of ancient cultures and neighboring individuals. It is quite evident that wisdom literature that reveals God nature in these three books largely applies only to wise men in a given century (Archer 245). In the way the book of Job explain suffering exhibited in godly in term of chastening, the book of Proverb maintain this validity of their effects and cause within ethical principles at the same time the justice that prevailed on the deity who took it (Job 4:7-8). Job largely argues that there is no great relationship between evil and good in what a man does. This leaves the author of Ecclesiastes to push this nature of revelation to its conclusion. The two books claim that there is action, which guarantees the consequences of a believer, or one he expects to be right. This can be justified in the book of Ecclesiastes 3:19, which states that “for man is creature of chance and the beasts are creatures of chance, and one mischance awaits them all: death comes to both alike”. Clearly, these three books magnify Gods sovereignty even in the midst of suffering. At times when evil seem to triumph over innocent Gods nature is challenged through arrogance or self justifying defense; rather the books indicate that God presence should be sought through realizing his sovereign grace hence one is delivered. Humanity is able to understand God’s nature in any encountered situation. The Book of Ecclesiastes questions the process through which the ideals and knowledge are acquired. The book can be perceived to be depressing or cynical however, it contains observations as well as advices that are of a value that is priceless. The book depicts the baseless foundation of trusting in material gains and human accomplishments. The book points out to the need to have wisdom, which is mixed in as it has both negative and positive effects depending on how it is used. The writer gives accounts based on his life and how useful the wisdom was to him at times when it was appropriately utilized and vice versa (Eccl. 4:13-16, 9:13-16). The book emphasis that wisdom is better than any other material wealth as it is able to bring success (Eccl. 10.10) and strength (Eccl. 7:19) as well as joy (Eccl. 8:1). Death to the author is unavoidable and no amount of human wisdom, money, or wealth is able to deliver one from it. The author of life who is God only gives the rescue of death. Just like the Proverbs, the fear of the lord is perceived and believed to be source of wisdom (Eccl. 11.9, 12, 14). The book points out the need to fear the Lord, as he is the only one who will be able to guard us against all manner of injustices. The fear of the lord will imply the person remembers the lord in all that he or she does. The book also seems to be dismal on the worldview of many readers. This is not so as the author insists that wisdom and achievements are things that one is to take pride in. one is encouraged to take up any opportunities that are geared towards attaining success. The only issue of concern is the motiv3e behind the achievement of the successes and other accomplishments. It is also good for the human beings to enjoy the fruits of our labor but all the praise and honor should be given to God (Buck 245). In conclusion, the Books of Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes perceive god to be the author and giver of wisdom. All the books are based on episodes generated from life experiences and which have great learning experiences. God in all the books is perceived and portrayed in different forms but one thing that stands out from the books is the care and value he has on all humankind. His wisdom and care for us is aimed at having a better and prosperous life and free from the worldly effects that are mainly from the fallen beings. Work cited Archer, Leonard. Jr., A Survey of Old Testament Introduction, Chicago: Moody Press, 1974. Print. Buck, F. "Ecclesiastes," A New Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture, ed. R. C. Fuller Nelson. (1969). Rowley, H. Job -- The New Century Bible Commentary; Grand Rapids: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. (1980). Whybray, R. "Qoheleth, Preacher of Joy," Journal for the Study of the Old Testament 23. (1982). Read More