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Wisdom LiteratureSession 3

Job

Wisdom Literature

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Proverbs

Job

Prov. 3:1-10

1My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,

2for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.

3Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.

4So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.

5Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

6In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

7Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

8It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

9Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce;

10then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.

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Prov. 3:1-10

1My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments,

2for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you.

3Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart.

4So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man.

5Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.

6In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

7Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil.

8It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.

9Honor the LORD with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce;

10then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine.

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Man’s obligations God’s obligations

Speculative Wisdom Ponder, contemplate, think…

through a dialogue between Job & friends…

to gain wisdom.

Another riddle/puzzle

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Job 1:1-5

1 There was a man in the land of Uz whose name was Job, and that man was blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil. 2 There were born to him seven sons and three daughters. 3 He possessed 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, and 500 female donkeys, and very many servants, so that this man was the greatest of all the people of the east. 4 His sons used to go and hold a feast in the house of each one on his day, and they would send and invite their three sisters to eat and drink with them. 5 And when the days of the feast had run their course, Job would send and consecrate them, and he would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of them all. For Job said, “It may be that my children have sinned, and cursed God in their hearts.” Thus Job did continually.

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Job 1:8-12

8 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?” 9 Then Satan answered the LORD and said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? 10 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. 11 But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to your face.” 12 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.

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After losing children & possessions… Job 1:20-22 20 Then Job arose and tore his

robe and shaved his head and fell on the ground and worshiped. 21 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.” 22 In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.

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After losing health… Job 2:9-10 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.

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Even tormented mind Job 7:13-14 When I say, ‘My bed will comfort

me, my couch will ease my complaint,’ then you scare me with dreams and terrify me with visions,…

Prov. 24:16 for the righteous falls seven times and rises again, but the wicked stumble in times of calamity.

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Q) For you… What would be the most painful thing to lose?

How would you respond if you lost _____?

[motive for following Jesus?]

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“Comforters” Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar (and Elihu)

“God is just and fair”

“God punishes wrongs”

“You must have sinned, so repent!”

True statements but wrong situation/time! Fools!

Q) How must have Job felt?

Alienated/alone, wrongly accused, hurt…12

Job’s steadfast Trust Job 21:3 “Bear with me, and I will speak, and

after I have spoken, mock on.”

Job 26:2-3 “How you have helped him who has no power! How you have saved the arm that has no strength! How you have counseled him who has no wisdom, and plentifully declared sound knowledge!”

Sarcastic!13

Needs an Advocate Job 16:19-21 “Even now, behold, my witness is

in heaven, and he who testifies for me is on high. My friends scorn me; my eye pours out tears to God, that he would argue the case of a man with God, as a son of man does with his neighbor.”

Asks for an advocate in Heaven?

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Need a Redeemer Job 19:25-27 For I know that my Redeemer

lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. And after my skin has been thus destroyed, yet in my flesh I shall see God, whom I shall see for myself, and my eyes shall behold, and not another. My heart faints within me!

Hope for bodily resurrection?

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Where is Wisdom & Understanding? Job 28:12 (& v.20) “But where shall wisdom be

found? And where is the place of understanding?”

Job 28:28 And he said to man, “Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.”

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ChiasmA. Prologue: Job blessed and righteous

B. Prologue: Job accused by Satan and destroyed

C. Dialogue: Job Laments (de-creation, order to chaos)

D. Dialogue: Preventative chastening (Eliphaz’s first speech)

E. Dialogue: Sin & retribution (three friends)

F. Wisdom is with God, not men (Job 28)

E’. Dialogue: Sin & retribution (Job)

D’. Dialogue: Preventative chastening (Elihu)

C’. Dialogue: The LORD speaks (creation, chaos to order)

B’. Epilogue: Job vindicated by the LORD and restored

A’. Epilogue: Job blessed and righteous17

God’s Question Job 38:1-7 1 Then the LORD answered Job out of the

whirlwind and said: 2 “Who is this that darkens counsel by words without knowledge? 3 Dress for action like a man; I will question you, and you make it known to me. 4 “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me, if you have understanding. 5 Who determined its measurements—surely you know! Or who stretched the line upon it? 6 On what were its bases sunk, or who laid its cornerstone, 7 when the morning stars sang together and all the sons of God shouted for joy?”

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Changes the Subject Common Questions:

Why is this happening to me?

Where is God in this?

Most important Question:

Who is God?

Creator, Sustainer, Trustworthy, Redeemer

God can (& should) be trusted!19

Job’s Response Job 42:2-6 2 “I know that you can do all things, and that

no purpose of yours can be thwarted. 3 ‘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. 4 ‘Hear, and I will speak; I will question you, and you make it known to me.’ 5 I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you; 6 therefore I despise myself, and repent in dust and ashes.”

Repents of doubting God’s justice

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After Repentance Job 42:7–9 7 After the LORD had spoken these words to

Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite: “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. 8

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.” 9 So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went and did what the LORD had told them, and the LORD accepted Job’s prayer.

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Redeemed! Even painful sufferings can be redeemed

Chance to honor God

Chance to minister to others

2 Cor. 1:3-4 …God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

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Psalm 231 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. 2 He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. 3 He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4 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.

5 You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. 6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

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Unsolved mystery Job never finds out why he suffered

[real reason is because he was righteous!]

Ultimately, defers wisdom to God

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Wisdom of Job Choose to trust God…

…even without rewards

…or complete explanations,

…but solely because of WHO God is.

Prov. 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

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Eyes of Faith Hebrews 11:13 These all died in faith, not having

received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.

Habakkuk 3:17-18 17 Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold and there be no herd in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.

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Prayer of commitment Though ____________ should not _________,

and _____________________ fail and _______________ yield no __________, and there be no ___________________, YET I will rejoice in the LORD; I will take joy in the God of my salvation.

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Ecclesiastes

Wisdom Literature

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Proverbs

Ecclesiastes

Speculative Wisdom – Part 2 Thinking through…in monologue

Solomon also had fortunes…and retained it.

Cf. Job: Is there reason to serve God?

Bigger Question: Is there reason to live?

Very contemporary!

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Ecclesiastes 1:2-11 2 Vanity of vanities, says the Preacher, vanity of vanities! All is vanity. 3 What does man gain by all the toil at which he toils under the sun? 4 A generation goes, and a generation comes, but the earth remains forever. 5 The sun rises, and the sun goes down, and hastens to the place where it rises. 6 The wind blows to the south and goes around to the north; around and around goes the wind, and on its circuits the wind returns. 7 All streams run to the sea, but the sea is not full; to the place where the streams flow, there they flow again. 8 All things are full of weariness; a man cannot utter it; the eye is not satisfied with seeing, nor the ear filled with hearing. 9 What has been is what will be, and what has been done is what will be done, and there is nothing new under the sun. 10 Is there a thing of which it is said, “See, this is new”? It has been already in the ages before us. 11 There is no remembrance of former things, nor will there be any remembrance of later things yet to be among those who come after.

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“hebel ” Vapor/breath, meaningless, futility, vanity, pointless

37 times (“hebel”: H=5, B=2, L=30)

111 verses in each half of the book

= 3 x 37

Physically: “striving after wind” (1:14,17, 2:11,17,26; 4:4,6,16; 6:9)

Intellectually: “not find / know not” (7:14; 8:7,17; 9:1,12; 10:15; 11:2,5,6)

Midpoint = Ecc. 6:12 For who knows what is good for man while he lives the few days of his vain life, which he passes like a shadow? For who can tell man what will be after him under the sun?

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Shadow of death “Death casts its shadow over all human activity and

renders everything hebel…”

Last chapter Ecc. 12:2-4 2 before the sun and the light and the moon

and the stars are darkened and the clouds return after the rain, 3 in the day when the keepers of the house tremble, and the strong men are bent, and the grinders cease because they are few, and those who look through the windows are dimmed, 4 and the doors on the street are shut—when the sound of the grinding is low, and one rises up at the sound of a bird, and all the daughters of song are brought low—

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Why bother? Ecc. 2:15-16 15 Then I said in my heart, “What happens to

the fool will happen to me also. Why then have I been so very wise?” And I said in my heart that this also is vanity. 16 For of the wise as of the fool there is no enduring remembrance, seeing that in the days to come all will have been long forgotten. How the wise dies just like the fool!

Ecc. 8:17 then I saw all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. However much man may toil in seeking, he will not find it out. Even though a wise man claims to know, he cannot find it out.

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Against Proverbs? Ecc. 7:15-17 In my vain life I have seen everything.

There is a righteous man who perishes in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his evildoing. Be not overly righteous, and do not make yourself too wise. Why should you destroy yourself? Be not overly wicked, neither be a fool. Why should you die before your time?

Life doesn’t yield proper rewards/punishment!

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Same for all Ecc. 9:2-3 2 It is the same for all, since the same event

happens to the righteous and the wicked, to the good and the evil, to the clean and the unclean, to him who sacrifices and him who does not sacrifice. As the good one is, so is the sinner, and he who swears is as he who shuns an oath. 3 This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that the same event happens to all. Also, the hearts of the children of man are full of evil, and madness is in their hearts while they live, and after that they go to the dead.

Life is Meaningless!?

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Foil! Misleading alternative

e.g., Snape in Harry Potter

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Clue: “under the sun” 29 times

Ecc.1:14 I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.

Ecc.2:11 Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.

Ecc. 9:3 This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that the same event happens to all…

Meaningless under the sun…

…but there IS something more above the sun!37

The End Ecc. 12:13-14 13 The end of the matter; all has been

heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. 14 For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.

Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom…

…and the end of wisdom.

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Wisdom of Ecclesiastes Future Judgment to come for all

and for all eternity… (Ecc. 3:11)

makes every choice matter

in this life (and beyond).

Need Godly choice-making ability & use it now!

Meaningful, meaningful! Everything is meaningful!

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Ecclesiastes+

Proverbs+

Job

UnderStand Wisdom

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Proverbs

Ecclesiastes

Job

Read Together Balance w/ other Scripture

e.g., don’t use as self-help for self-gain

Same foundation: Fear of the Lord, Trust in the Lord

Answer Job even within Proverbs Prov. 6:17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that

shed innocent blood,

Prov. 3:11-12 My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

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Limit of Proverbs Not absolute/precise (just broad principles)

e.g., Prov. 22:26-27 Be not one of those who give pledges, who put up security for debts. If you have nothing with which to pay, why should your bed be taken from under you?

Need to know when to apply what Prov. 26:4 Answer not a fool according to his

folly, lest you be like him yourself.

Prov. 26:5 Answer a fool according to his folly, lest he be wise in his own eyes.

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Biggest Warning Wise Solomon became a fool!

1 Kings 11:1–4 1 Now King Solomon loved many foreign women, along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women, 2 from the nations concerning which the LORD had said to the people of Israel, “You shall not enter into marriage with them, neither shall they with you, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love. 3 He had 700 wives, who were princesses, and 300 concubines. And his wives turned away his heart. 4 For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.

1 Kings 6:37-7:1 37 In the fourth year the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid, in the month of Ziv. 38 And in the eleventh year, in the month of Bul, which is the eighth month, the house was finished in all its parts, and according to all its specifications. He was seven years in building it. 1 Solomon was building his own house thirteen years, and he finished his entire house.

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Why? How? He stopped applying God’s words!

Prov. 19:27 Cease to hear instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

Pride/Hubris

1 Corinthians 10:12 Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.

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Wisdom OR Folly!

15 minute Exam

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Fill In Righteous disadvantage self to advantage

community; Wicked disadvantage community to advantage self

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From: Solomon, et al.

1:1 “The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:”

& “the men of Hezekiah…copied” (25:1)

& kings Agur (30) & Lemuel (31)

Queen of Sheba (1 Kings 10)

1 Kings 4:29-34

375 proverbs [out of 3000] (10:1-22:16)

S (300) L (30) M (40) H (5) : ְׁש��ֹל�ֹמ�ה47

The Instruction of Amenemope

Got Wisdom? hokma” [wisdom]“ ָח�ְכ�ֹמ�ה

Not just edu, IQ, or EQ…

but ability to make right choices in life

(good or evil)

for a full & godly life (that honors God).

Godly choice-making ability

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Job & Proverbs Counter balance the teaching from Proverbs that suggest

if you abide by these words of wisdom, then you wouldn’t get pain.

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Wisdom of Ecclesiastes Future Judgment to come (for all)

makes every choice matter in this life (and beyond).

Need Godly choice-making ability & use it!

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Structure / Outline Disorganized?

Solomon I & II, Words of Wise I & II, Agur, Lem

31 chapters…

This organized! Choose Wisdom, Reject Foolishness (1-9)

Become Righteous (10-22)

Sustain Righteousness (22-24)

Become a Righteous Leader (25-29)

Be Humble as a Leader (30)

Choose Spouse Wisely (31)

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Read Together Balance w/ other Scripture

e.g., don’t use as self-help for self-gain

Same foundation: Fear of the Lord, Trust in the Lord

Job even within Proverbs Prov. 6:17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that

shed innocent blood,

Prov. 3:11-12 My son, do not despise the LORD’s discipline or be weary of his reproof, for the LORD reproves him whom he loves, as a father the son in whom he delights.

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Proverbs 12:17 Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit.

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Biggest Warning Wise Solomon became a fool!

1 Kings 11:4 “…when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God…”

Why? How?

He stopped applying God’s words!

Prov. 19:27 Cease to hear instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.

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Stanza 1 Blessing for husband of Valiant Woman (10-12)

Stanza 2 Activities of Valiant Woman (13-20)

Stanza 3 Blessing for ALL associated w/ Valiant Woman (21-25)

Stanza 4 Activities of Valiant Woman (26-27)

Stanza 5 Blessing of Praise for Valiant Woman (28-31)

3A No Fear of Snow (metaphor for future) – v.21a

3B Clothing - v.21b

3C She makes / linen - v.22

3D Reputation of her husband – v.23

3C´ Linen / she makes - v.24

3B´ Clothing – v.25a

3A´ No Fear of the Future - v.25b 55

Finer Details! (Stanza 2, vv.13-20)A v.13 willing hands

B v.14 merchant

C v.15 while it is yet night

A’ v.16 with the fruit of her hands

B’ v.17-18a merchandise

C’ v.18b at night

A v.19 Her-hands she-stretches-out to-the-distaff,

B and-her-palms they-grasp the-spindle.

B´ v.20 Her-palm spreads-out to-the-poor,

A´ and-her-hands she-stretches-out to-the-needy.

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also…•Acrostic Poem•Summary

Memorize! 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of

knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.

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References Bruce K. Waltke, The Book of Proverbs (2 vol), NICOT (Grand

Rapids, MI: Eerdmans, 2004)

Derek Kidner, The Wisdom of Proverbs, Job and Ecclesiastes (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1985)

Tremper Longman III, How to Read Proverbs (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2002)

Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart, How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2003)

Gordon D. Fee and Douglas Stuart, How to Read the Bible Book by Book (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2002)

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