Module 4: Poetic Books

Hi everyone, and welcome to the fourth module for the Old Testament survey course. In this section, we'll be working through the Poetic books of the Old Testament.

Upon successful completion of this module, the student will:

  • Place the Major OT people, events and books of the Poetic Books in a general chronology.
  • Explain the main message(s), organization, theme(s), and/or character(s) of the Poetic Books.
  • Demonstrate an understanding of the character of God as revealed through His revelation in the praise and wisdom literature of the Poetic Books.
  • Consider how God’s revelation through the Poetic Books applies in the student’s life and ministry.

Below you will find links to all the study material for this module.

Course Documents

In this section, you'll find links to important and supplemental documents for this module. Click the following links to open each document. The first group contains documents that explain and give instruction for all the course activities in this module. The second group is a set of blank lecture notes which you may use as a companion for the video lectures. And the last group contains summary sheets for each Bible book covered in this module.

Instruction Guides


Lecture Notes


Bible Summaries


Lecture Videos

In this section, you will find the video lectures for the Poetic Books module. They are designed to be watched in order, but each video should make sense on its own. Click each thumbnail to open access to each video. There is also a link with each video if you prefer to watch on the Rumble or YouTube interface. In addition, there is a link to download the audio from the presentation for offline review.

27: Introduction to the Poetic Books

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27: Introduction to the Poetic Books
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28: Job

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29: Psalms

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30:Proverbs

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31: Ecclesiastes

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32: Song of Songs

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32: Song of Songs
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Reviews

In this section, you will find the review slides from the course lectures for module 4. This is a convenient way to view and review the summaries for each lecture. Click the Thumbnail picture to begin the slide show.

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Click the prev. and next buttons (bottom right of the slide) to move through the slides. You can also click on any thumbnail to go directly to that slide.

Review Quiz

This section is a link to a review quiz to test your understanding of the objective material for Module 4. By clicking the link, you will be taken to a series of questions, in random order. Answer each question and then push the Submit button to check your answers. Every question must be answered before you can submit the quiz. At the end, you will be shown your score for the entire quiz. The quiz will be different each time, so feel free to take it more than once. Click the Thumbnail picture to begin the quiz.

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Review Quiz for Module 4
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Here is a review quiz for the material covered in this module's lectures. Click the button next to the best answer for each question, or drag each term to its best definition. Then press the button at the bottom to see if your answers are correct.


The Psalms force us to be honest about the difficult times of life and bring them to God in hope.

True

Well Done

False

Sorry, see Lecture 29
Which word best summarizes the book of Proverbs?

Creaturehood


Romance


Wisdom

Excellent

Vanity


Praises


What is the best explanation of the idea of "creaturehood" in Job?

Humbly knowing the limits of human wisdom

Great Job

Our inability to control nature

Sorry, see Lecture 28

Being unable to question God

Sorry, see Lecture 28

Having the same fate (death) as the animals

Sorry, see Lecture 28
What word best summarizes the Book of Job?

Creaturehood

Great Job

Vanity


Praises


Wisdom


Romance


The expression of disorientation is typically expressed by which form type of Psalm?

Thanksgiving

Sorry, see Lecture 29

Complaint

Sorry, see Lecture 29

Hymn

Sorry, see Lecture 29

Lament

Good Job
Which best describes the problem of Job?

Could satan turn God against Job?

Sorry, see Lecture 28

Will Job remain faithful to God?

Sorry, see Lecture 28

God's justice is called into question if Job suffers, when he is righteous

Well Done

We don't know why Job is suffering

Sorry, see Lecture 28

How can we know who is right in the debate between Job and his 'friends'?

Sorry, see Lecture 28
The Main Body of the Book of Proverbs is a collection of apparently randomly arranged proverbs.

True

Well Done

False

Sorry, see Lecture 30
The Psalms were used in the Temple rituals.

True

Good Job

False

Sorry, see Lecture 29
Ecclesiastes tells us to find joy even in the midst of vanity.

True

Good

False

Sorry, see Lecture 31
Solomon likely contributed much to the writing of Ecclesiastes, but was not the final author.

True

Good Job

False

Sorry, see Lecture 31
The Book of Job challenges human arrogance that thinks we can figure out everything.

True

Well Done

False

Sorry, see Lecture 28
Which is NOT a part of the Hymn on Wisdom in the Book of Job?

The question: "Where can wisdom be found?"

Sorry, see Lecture 28

True wisdom is the fear of the Lord and turning from evil

Sorry, see Lecture 28

True wisdom is from God

Sorry, see Lecture 28

Encouragement that we can find wisdom

Good Job
The Book of Proverbs commands the reader to pursue wisdom, no matter the cost.

True

Well Done

False

Sorry, see Lecture 30
The Book of Proverbs teaches Deuteronomistic Theology.

True

Good Job

False

Sorry, see Lecture 30
Which of these is NOT a possible explanation of the nature of the Song of Songs?

It is a wisdom treatise describing the folly of love

Correct

It is a series of love poems

Sorry, see Lecture 32

It is a dramatic love story

Sorry, see Lecture 32
satan is only able to afflict Job as far as God permitted.

True

Correct

False

Sorry, see Lecture 28
Which Psalm "life context" best describes a time when life is going horribly, when God seems to be inactive or hidden?

Preorientation

Sorry, see Lecture 29

Disorientation

Correct

Orientation

Sorry, see Lecture 29

Reorientation

Sorry, see Lecture 29
Psalms is not one writing, but a collection of individual writings.

True

Well Done

False

Sorry, see Lecture 29
Wisdom in Proverbs is defined as skill in applying God's revelation to godly living and godly choices.

True

Good Job

False

Sorry, see Lecture 30
In the Book of Proverbs, a proverb is a promise from God.

True

Sorry, see Lecture 30

False

Good Job
Which Psalm "life context" best describes a time after the difficult time, when God has come through and rescued, and restored blessings?

Disorientation

Sorry, see Lecture 29

Reorientation

Good Job

Preorientation

Sorry, see Lecture 29

Orientation

Sorry, see Lecture 29
Which is NOT a theme of Ecclesiastes?

Find Joy

Sorry, see Lecture 31

Vanity

Sorry, see Lecture 31

Fear of the Lord

Sorry, see Lecture 31

Qoheleth

Good Job
The Lecture on Song of Songs argues that the church should overcome our culture's twisted understanding of sex and romance by demonstrating a better, healthy understanding of sex and romance.

True

Well Done

False

Sorry, see Lecture 32
Which word best summarizes the Song of Songs?

Praises


Wisdom


Romance

Well Done

Vanity


Creaturehood


Which best describes Job's response to God's monologue?

He asks clarifying questions

Sorry, see Lecture 28

He thanks God for explaining why he had suffered


He repents for being sinful


He repents for questioning what he did not understand

Correct

He asks to have his fortune restored


Solomon is the author of the entire Book of Proverbs.

True

Sorry, he authored much of it, but not all, see Lecture 30

False

Correct
According to Ecclesiastes, because all of life is vanity, God cannot be taken very seriously.

True

Sorry, see Lecture 31

False

Correct
The preamble of Proverbs summarizes the purpose of the whole book.

True

Correct

False

Sorry, see Lecture 30
Proverbs stresses that there are only two ways to live, the way of wisdom or the way of the fool.

True

Good Job

False

Sorry, see Lecture 30
Song of Songs demonstrates that Christians should not avoid or be ashamed of godly romance and sex.

True

Correct

False

Sorry, see Lecture 32

Discussion/Reflection/Essay Questions

This section contains questions for further thought and discussion from Module 4. These questions can also be used as essay questions in a classroom setting exam. It is recommended that you take time to think through these issues in order to thoroughly grasp the significance and explore the application of the material you are learning. Click the Thumbnail to view the questions.

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The following questions are for your thoughtful consideration and discussion:

  1. What are the four themes of the Book of Psalms? What difference does this make to everyday life?
  2. What does it mean that the Psalms are "historically ambiguous, to be universally applicable"? What difference does this make for how we read and apply the Psalms?
  3. Why does the Song of Songs advise not to awaken love until it so desires? How should this advice be applied in your current context and your personal life?
  4. What is meant by "Advance Choices" in Proverbs, and how does this apply to your own life?
  5. What is the message of Ecclesiastes and how does it apply to today?
  6. What are the "real" questions of Job and how do they apply to your life today?
  7. What are the three "life contexts" of the Book of Psalms? How do each apply to life and ministry today?
  8. How can the Book of Ecclesiastes be used to reach our culture with the good news of Jesus?
  9. What is the key to wisdom given in each of the wisdom books? How can you apply this insight to become more wise? How would your life be impacted?

Module Completed!

Congratulations, you have reached the end of the fourth module. I hope that you have found it rewarding and have noticed personal growth.

I encourage you to continue on to the next module as soon as is convenience. The button below will take you to Module 5.