1. The Writings (Emet)
Week 7 • Day 1
At first glance, you may think that the Bible’s collection of writings deviates from the kingdom story we have been following. Perhaps you have come across books like the Psalms, the wisdom books (Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes), or some of the other writings in a devotional setting and thought of them as nothing more than “nuggets” of wisdom that the Bible has to offer. While this may be true, this week we will see how the writings play a HUGE role in escalating the tensions of the kingdom narrative. Recall that up to this point, the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah remain in exile. The writings of the Hebrew Bible are strategically placed right after the prophets to act as a type of “call-back” for God’s people to remember what the kingdom of God was like at its peak.
By reminiscing on the golden ages of Israel, the Writings allow us to grow an even deeper anticipation of the gospel of the kingdom and the serpent crusher!
After completing the Law and Prophets, we have been prepared to look for…
…the reestablishment of God’s kingdom rule through the Good Shepherd, the Suffering Servant of God, and the King from the line of David who would govern with the scepter of righteousness and justice.
…the return of God’s kingdom place in which God’s temple would be restored and God’s blessings would richly flow out of Israel to all the surrounding nations.
…the rescue of God’s kingdom people from the serpent and their restored delegated rule through a new covenant and a new heart that is wiped clean of all sin and is able to trust in YHWH.
With our kingdom lenses on, we invite you to reminisce on the kingdom in the first collection of writings called the emet (truth in Hebrew).
PSALMS - REMEMBERING GOD’S RULE
If you have been growing desperate for the David-like messiah, the Psalms is your first “call-back” to remember the shepherd-turned-ruler that “was after God’s own heart”. The Psalter attributes 75 Psalms directly to king David reminding us of the heart of God’s first chosen and anointed suffering servant. By reminiscing on the Psalms, God’s people are invited to anticipate the coming David-like Messiah who would be as steady as a tree planted by streams of water, whose delight would be in the law of the Lord, and who would be like a son to God.
Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water that yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither. In all that he does, he prospers. - Psalm 1:1-3
Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way, for his wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in him. - Psalm 2:10-12
Did you know the entire Psalter is strategically broken up into 5 books? If you follow the overall trajectory of books 1-5, your reminiscing begins to turn to anticipation of (1) the restoration of God’s kingdom rule through the Good Shepherd, the Suffering Servant of God, and the King from the line of David who would govern with the scepter of righteousness and justice.
Book 1 offers insight into David’s shepherd heart as ruler over God’s people. At the same time, we are reminded that David is the prototypical suffering servant.
How long, O Lord? Will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me? How long must I take counsel in my soul and have sorrow in my heart all the day? How long shall my enemy be exalted over me? Consider and answer me, O Lord my God; light up my eyes, lest I sleep the sleep of death, lest my enemy say, “I have prevailed over him,” lest my foes rejoice because I am shaken. But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation. I will sing to the Lord, because he has dealt bountifully with me. - Psalm 13
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever. - Psalm 23
Book 2 and Book 3 introduces us to the sons of Korah (12 Psalms) and the family of Asaph (12 Psalms). The sons of Korah come from the line of rebels who were swallowed up by the earth (see Numbers 16) while the Psalms of Asaph broadly revolve around God’s judgment against the enemies of His kingdom. This section shows that the serpent has had his fangs deeply embedded into the hearts of all people, including these two temple-working families and even David himself.
A PSALM OF DAVID, WHEN NATHAN THE PROPHET WENT TO HIM, AFTER HE HAD GONE IN TO BATHSHEBA - Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. - Psalm 51:1-2
The bookends make it clear that the compilers of the Psalms were looking for this messiah! The only Psalm attributed to Solomon (1 Psalm) alludes to this future King while Ethan the Ezrahite (1 Psalm) also looks for deliverance from this Davidic heir.
End of Book 2:
Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the royal son! May he judge your people with righteousness, and your poor with justice! Let the mountains bear prosperity for the people, and the hills, in righteousness! May he defend the cause of the poor of the people, give deliverance to the children of the needy, and crush the oppressor! - Psalm 72:1–4 [Of Solomon]
End of Book 3:
Lord, where is your steadfast love of old, which by your faithfulness you swore to David? Remember, O Lord, how your servants are mocked, and how I bear in my heart the insults of all the many nations, with which your enemies mock, O Lord, with which they mock the footsteps of your anointed. - Psalm 89:49–51 [A Maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite]
As our anticipation hits its peak, Book 4 opens with a Psalm from Moses (1 Psalm)! We have scoured the entire Torah and the Prophets for the greater Moses-like prophet who would bring the gospel of the kingdom. Now, the Psalms calls us to reminisce on the golden calf incident in which Moses lays down his life so the Lord might “return” from his anger. This is how the greater Moses messiah would act!
Beginning of Book 4:
Return, O Lord! How long? Have pity on your servants! Satisfy us in the morning with your steadfast love, that we may rejoice and be glad all our days. Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, and for as many years as we have seen evil. Let your work be shown to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us; yes, establish the work of our hands! - Psalm 90:13–17 [A Prayer of Moses, the man of God]
This is a CRUCIAL hinge point in the Psalms. We are left to anticipate a Good Shepherd who, like Moses, would rescue God’s people from the foreign serpent and return His them to the promised kingdom place. We are left to anticipate a Suffering Servant who, like Moses, is willing to offer himself as a substitutionary sacrifice for the sins of God’s delegated rulers (Ex. 32:32). From this Moses-moment of intercession, the tone of the book turns into joy that God still rules over all things!
The Lord reigns; he is robed in majesty; the Lord is robed; he has put on strength as his belt. Yes, the world is established; it shall never be moved. Your throne is established from of old; you are from everlasting. - Psalm 93:1–2
Book 5 points to this “Lord” of David who would delight in the law of the Lord and rule perfectly in line with God’s rule of what is “good” and what is “evil”.
The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” The Lord sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies! Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments; from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours. The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek.” The Lord is at your right hand; he will shatter kings on the day of his wrath. He will execute judgment among the nations, filling them with corpses; he will shatter chiefs over the wide earth. He will drink from the brook by the way; therefore he will lift up his head. - Psalm 110:1–7 [A Psalm of David]
Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the law of the Lord! Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart, who also do no wrong, but walk in his ways! You have commanded your precepts to be kept diligently. Oh that my ways may be steadfast in keeping your statutes! Then I shall not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on all your commandments. I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules. I will keep your statutes; do not utterly forsake me! - Psalm 119:1-8
The Conclusion ends with everything praising the Lord for the “horn” of victory that has been raised for His people. We leave the Psalms desperately waiting for this “horn” to be raised in victory over the kingdom of the serpent!
Praise the Lord! Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his hosts! Praise him, sun and moon, praise him, all you shining stars! Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens! Let them praise the name of the Lord…Let them praise the name of the Lord, for his name alone is exalted; his majesty is above earth and heaven. He has raised up a horn for his people, praise for all his saints, for the people of Israel who are near to him. Praise the Lord! - Psalm 148:1-5a, 13-14
Let everything that has breath praise the Lord! Praise the Lord! - Psalm 150:6
PROVERBS - REMEMBERING GOD’S PLACE
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. - Proverbs 1:7
If God’s people were to seek God’s kingdom’s rule (i.e. turning away from sin and walking in accordance with the rule of the Good Shepherd) then one might expect blessings to return to the kingdom place! Who better to affirm this particular cause-and-effect pattern than the wise King Solomon who brought the kingdom place to a state of blessing that was beyond comparison. The proverbs of Solomon “calls us back” to remember and anticipate (2) the return to God’s kingdom place in which God’s temple would be restored and God’s blessings would richly flow out of Israel to all the surrounding nations.
Proverbs begins by offering 10 speeches of a Father to a Son. Within these speeches, a character named Lady Wisdom – who was with God before the foundations of the world (Pr. 3:19) – offers a series of 4 poems. When you look at the interaction of Father speeches and Lady Wisdom poems, you discover that the wisdom of God’s place revolves around the kingdom narrative!
The middle section of Proverbs addresses virtually every aspect of life by contrasting the lifestyle of the upright in God’s place and the wicked foreigners of the serpent kingdom. These contrasts include their speech, influence, inner attitudes and values, wealth management, personal and public reputation, their motivations and how they relate to God, their temperaments, and their eternal destinations. Thus Solomon encourages all of God’s people to continue on the path of wisdom by always fearing the Lord and always trusting in YHWH.
Commit to the Lord whatever you do and he will establish your plans - Proverbs 16:3
Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it.- Proverbs 22:6
Blessed is the one who fears the Lord always, but whoever hardens his heart will fall into calamity. - Proverbs 28:14
The book of Proverbs concludes with a tale of two heroes! First, Agur laments that he has no knowledge of the Holy One. However, after Agur interacts with certain scriptures from the story of David and Moses, Agur’s desires begin to change, his heart begins to ponder the brokenness of man, and his eyes begin to observe the marvels of God’s cosmic temple place of creation around him. Eventually Agur develops a basic “cause and effect” worldview signaling that the scriptures and basic observations have led Agur one step closer to Lady Wisdom.
Surely I am too stupid to be a man. I have not the understanding of a man. I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One. - Proverbs 30:2–3
Every word of God proves true; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, lest he rebuke you and you be found a liar. - Proverbs 30:5–6
If you have been foolish, exalting yourself, or if you have been devising evil, put your hand on your mouth. For pressing milk produces curds, pressing the nose produces blood, and pressing anger produces strife. - Proverbs 30:32–33
Finally, king Lemuel records his mother’s teachings about being exclusively focussed on creating real change and distributing justice over his own kingdom place. The proverb consists of a poem describing a woman that king Lemuel ought to seek; a trustworthy, good, hard-working, present, talented, generous, humble, strong, wise, and God-fearing woman. A woman like Lady Wisdom - the personification of God’s good rule - is once again the key for God’s people to usher in the Solomon-like blessings of God’s kingdom place of shalom!
The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him: What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb? What are you doing, son of my vows? Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink, lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted. - Proverbs 31:1–5
“Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates. - Proverbs 31:29–31
JOB - REMEMBERING GOD’S PEOPLE
Do good in God’s place, trust God’s rule, and God’s blessing will come to His people! Seems like a pretty straightforward cause-and-effect correlation, right? But how do we account for the suffering that all image-bearing people experience in this world marked by the serpent? For the righteous remnant in exile, reminiscing on the story of Job heightens the growing desire for answers to these kinds of questions and a faith that is as strong as Job’s! The book of Job grows our desire to see (3) the rescue of God’s kingdom people from the kingdom of the serpent and their restored delegated rule through a new covenant and a new heart that is wiped clean and able to trust in YHWH.
At the beginning of Job, we are introduced to the heavenly council of God. This is a supernatural reality in which “the satan” (Hebrew word for “the accuser”) is allowed to question the good judgment of God and bring devastation to test Job - a blameless man who is arguably innocent and undeserving of any suffering:
And the Lord said to Satan, “Have you considered my servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, who fears God and turns away from evil?” Then Satan answered the Lord and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” And the Lord said to Satan, “Behold, all that he has is in your hand. Only against him do not stretch out your hand.” So Satan went out from the presence of the Lord. - Job 1:8-12
Job’s 3 friends come to him influenced by a “cause-and-effect” mindset. They attribute Job’s misfortune to a hidden sin that Job has not yet confessed. Job, on the other hand, remains adamant that he is innocent and pleads his case before the Lord. Reminiscing on the story of Job reminds God’s people what it means to possess a heart that seeks God’s definition of what is “good” and “evil” above the wisdom of the world - something his friends failed to do.
From where, then, does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding? It is hidden from the eyes of all living and concealed from the birds of the air. Abaddon and Death say, ‘We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.’ “God understands the way to it, and he knows its place. For he looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens. - Job 28:20-24
After Job and his friends are confronted by Elihu (“He is my God” in Hebrew), Job receives a universal perspective on God’s authority over all things in existence.
Then Job answered the Lord and said: I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. ‘Who is this that hides counsel without knowledge?’ Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. ‘Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.’ I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.” - Job 42:1–6
In the end, Job personifies a servant of God who has suffered and is also able to intercede on behalf of his wayward people. As a result, Job experiences the abundant blessings of restoration.
“My anger burns against you and against your two friends, for you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has. Now therefore take seven bulls and seven rams and go to my servant Job and offer up a burnt offering for yourselves. And my servant Job shall pray for you, for I will accept his prayer not to deal with you according to your folly. For you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.” - Job 42:7–8
And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends….And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. And the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning. - Job 42:10, 12
When read in the context of the exile, the writings would have influenced the Israelites to remember that one day God will send His David-like Suffering Servant / Good Shepherd ruler, God will restore the wisdom and blessings that made up the Solomon-like “golden age” kingdom place, and God would restore His people with a Job-like faith that appealed to the Lord’s definition of what is “good” and “evil” regardless of what suffering may come!
Then Job arose and tore his robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. And he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.” In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong. - Job 1:20–22.
Then his wife said to him, “Do you still hold fast your integrity? Curse God and die.” But he said to her, “You speak as one of the foolish women would speak. Shall we receive good from God, and shall we not receive evil?” In all this Job did not sin with his lips. - Job 2:9–10.
Share the Gospel: When read in the context of the exile, the writings would have influenced the Israelites to remember that one day God will send His David-like Suffering Servant / Good Shepherd ruler, God will restore the wisdom and blessings that made up the Solomon-like “golden age” kingdom place, and God would restore His people with a Job-like faith that surrendered to the Lord’s definition of what is “good” and what is “evil” regardless of what suffering may come!
