In their long discussion, Job and his friends wrestle with the paradox of seemingly unjust suffering. Job’s cries result in his requesting an advocate before Yahweh and proclaiming with certainty that his redeemer lives and will stand on the earth—lines that point forward to Jesus’ role (Job 9:33; 19:25–27; compare 1 John 2:1). Job is prosecuted by the satan figure and longs for a defender in the court of Yahweh. While Job is not sinless—no one is (Rom 3:23)—he is blameless in this particular situation (Job 1:7–8). But as Yahweh shows Job, he still has much to learn (38:1–40:2).

Job shows that even in grief we can find hope in a deepened relationship with Yahweh (23:10). It is only through Job’s sufferings that this is possible (42:4–6). Today—with our advocate, Jesus, in heaven—we face the question behind Job’s story: Will we love Yahweh, no matter what?

The psalms provide patterns of praise, worship, and lament for God’s people from generation to generation. As communal prayers, the psalms show worshipers how to articulate joyful praise and distressed cries—serving to teach believers and provide words for them to express their feelings to Yahweh. Hymns and temple liturgies prepare Yahweh’s followers to experience the presence of the cosmic king. Laments implore Yahweh for compassion. Petitions plead with Him to intervene in the world. These motifs illustrate the character of Yahweh, who involves Himself in the messiness of human affairs and acts mightily on His people’s behalf.

The main theme of Proverbs is that wisdom proceeds from revering and trusting God. Our actions reflect our inner character, and vice versa; by honoring God with our lives and following His wisdom, we can expect to experience the blessing of God’s goodness. In the natural order of God’s world, good character produces a life that will flourish, though Proverbs is also clear that the natural order does not always win; sometimes, against all logic, evil and folly thrive.

This wisdom teacher reveals what he has discovered about the meaninglessness of every human endeavor without God at the center of one's life.

Ecclesiastes makes a point of showing that life is perplexing and short (1:2–11). It also illustrates the confusion of life, questioning why the wicked prosper and injustice abounds (3:16; 4:1–5). The author shows the limitations of wisdom while affirming its importance (2:12–17; 7:1–13).

Absurdity will figure prominently in life because no one can really control their life. Human life involves mourning and dancing, silence and speaking, death and healing—and true wisdom is finding contentment in all of these times (5:20).

Key Themes

1. God’s covenant, which commands sexual purity, provides just the right framework (marriage) within which his people may properly enjoy the gift of sexual intimacy (cf. Gen. 2:23–24). Thus God’s people honor him and commend him to the world when they demonstrate with their lives that obedience in such matters brings genuine delight.

2. Marriage is a gift of God, and is to be founded on loyalty and commitment (see Gen. 2:24, “hold fast”), which allows delight to flourish. As such, it is a fitting image for God’s relationship with his people, in both the OT and the NT.