The Bible For Dummies

We don’t know who wrote the book of Job, the Psalms were primarily written by King David we know that he wrote at least 73 of them. Other writers include his son Solomon, Moses and several others whose names you won’t recognize. The book of Proverbs was written by King Solomon, with a couple of additional contributors. Solomon was reputed to be the wisest man who ever lived, and if you’ve taken the time to read the proverbs you’ll understand why.

Traditionally we have been told that Solomon wrote the book of Ecclesiastes but we don’t know that for sure, the author only identifies himself as “The Teacher”, “The Preacher” or “The Leader of the Assembly.” Likewise tradition tells us that Solomon wrote the beautiful love poem called the “Song of Songs” some people even refer to it as “The Song of Solomon” but we don’t know that for certain.

For the most part these books were written during the reign of David and Solomon around 1000 years before the birth of Christ although Job was probably written around the time of Abraham 1000 years earlier.

You are familiar with these books because of the story of Job a righteous man who the Devil attacked in order to show God that Job only worshipped him because God prospered Job and protected him. Throughout the book Job refuses to curse God and in the end good prevails. When you hear someone say “They must have the patience of Job.” This is the reference.

The book of Psalms is a collection of songs, as a matter of fact in some churches the only songs they sing even today are the Psalms. In the Psalms we see familiar words like Psalm 23 The Lord is my Shepherd I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures he leadeth me beside still waters. If I ever visit you in the hospital I will probably read from the 23rd Psalm and if I ever preach at your funeral I will probably use the 23rd Psalm it is a Psalm of comfort. Psalm 51 was written when David cried out in repentance over his sin with Bathsheba and said Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me—now let me rejoice. Perhaps you have a favourite Psalm of your own.

The book of Proverbs is one of my favourite books in the Old Testament and is the collected wisdom of Solomon. It has great gems like Proverbs 26:17 Yanking a dog’s ears is as foolish as interfering in someone else’s argument. and Proverbs 10:1 A wise child brings joy to a father; a foolish child brings grief to a mother.

Ecclesiastes was written as the author struggled with the meaning of life, if you’ve ever wondered “why?” this is the book for you. It reveals how to find spiritual significance in our world.

The Song of Songs was written in celebration of a couple’s courtship and marriage, it is very intimate and might make you blush. The rabbis maintained that it was written as an allegory for the Love God had for the Jewish people and some Christians see in it the imagery of Christ and his bride the Church.