The Comfort of the Books of Wisdom
Five books in the Old Testament are identified as “books of poetry” or “books of wisdom.” Hebrew poetry is a study all its own, and I appreciate those who have expounded upon it via their writings, sermons, and bible classes. Personally, I prefer calling them “books of wisdom” because they each guide the contemplating soul to “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” (Proverbs 3:5) It is not by accident that the New Testament finds dozens of quotations from these books of wisdom.
We must understand there is a remarkable difference between the LAW of the Old Testament and the WISDOM, HISTORY, and PROPHESY of the Old Testament. The LAW is written in Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Genesis is a book of LAW as well, but LAW OF THE FATHERS, commonly called the Patriarchal Law. In fact, through chapter nineteen of Exodus, the LAW OF THE FATHERS is the only law God gave to mankind. By Exodus 20, you will have read how God separated Abraham from all other nations and promised him to become the father of a great nation (Israel) from which all nations of the earth would be blessed (which came to fruition through Christ Jesus). Therefore, the books of LAW were for the Israelites, and it was fulfilled/taken away on the cross of Christ (Hebrews 10:1-10; Colossians 2: 13 – 15). All mankind is now under the authority of the New Law, the LAW OF CHRIST, commonly called the New Testament. (John 12:48).
It was the LAW that was concluded, not the WISDOM God gave to these holy men (1 Peter 1:21). That’s why we find so many within the New Testament quoting these words of wisdom and directing us to utilize them in our lives as we endeavor to serve the LAW OF CHRIST faithfully. For example, consider Psalms. Of the one hundred fifty, there is comfort for our discomforted hearts, there is encouragement to keep us from stagnation, and there is discipline when we think too highly of ourselves. The book of Proverbs says, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore, get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” (Proverbs 4:7). Ecclesiastes teaches us the wisdom of seeking God’s commandments, rather than seeking the world’s possessions, which contain only vanity. Solomon closes his report of his examination of this world with, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13) The Song of Solomon shows the wisdom of marriage between man and woman. Let’s not forget Job. The wisdom of that book teaches us the sovereignty of God and how it is wise to “sin not, nor charge God foolishly.” (Job 1:22)
Man has tried to guide man in wisdom, and frankly, as Solomon said, “Of making many books there is no end.” But no one can improve on the wisdom of God! Paul said the GOSPEL is the wisdom and power of God (Romans 1:16; 1 Corinthians 1:24). Wisdom is the “wise use of knowledge,” so using God’s holy men like the psalmists, Job, and Solomon, as our “schoolmaster” (Galatians 3:24 with Romans 15:4), by studying and obeying the New LAW OF CHRIST, we easily see the “comfort of the books of wisdom” have been given us (2 Peter 1:3) if we let them dwell in us richly in all wisdom (Colossians 3:16 – 17). In His wisdom, we should meditate all the day (1 Timothy 4:15). Without it, we have no clue of the wisdom God has permitted us, and how we can be and are comforted by obedience to it!
