Best Seller: Poetry and Wisdom and the Longing for Jesus

Poetry and Wisdom and the Longing for Jesus

Series: Best Seller

June 30, 2024

Dr. Clayton Chisum

Biblical Poetry and Wisdom Books:

“The in the Family”

Biblical Poetry and Wisdom books in the Bible:

• Job
• Psalms
• Proverbs
• Ecclesiastes
• Song of Solomon
• Lamentations

Much of our worship music comes from these books.

Psalm 23:1-6 (ESV)

1 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.

Biblical Poetry has a

In Hebrew, poetry doesn’t focus on rhyming, but on rhythm and figurative language.

Two big features in Hebrew poetry:

• Couplet (two lines together)
• Parallelism (two thoughts next to each other)

Hebrew poetry helps you to see the bigger picture (context):

Psalm 37:4 (NLT)

Hebrew poetry often uses hyperboles or metaphors:

Song of Solomon 4:1-4 (NLT)

Biblical Poetry proves that about every part of you.

God wants more than a knowledge connection; he wants a heart connection.

Matthew 22:37 (NLT)

Biblical poetry describes what we’re all longing for:

Psalm 42:1-2 (NLT)

Psalm 119:174 (ESV)

Biblical Poetry reveals our for what is ultimately found in Jesus

2 Corinthians 1:19-20 (ESV)

Three things I want to encourage you to do:

• Let Jesus fulfill that longing in your heart today.
• Join me in reading a chapter of Psalms and/or Proverbs each day in July
• Get a good study Bible to help you link scripture to Biblical poetry

Discussion Questions:

1. What is your preferred method of communication and why? Are you an emotional or stoic communicator?
2. Why is the ability to show emotion such an important gift from God? How do our emotions help us be made in his image?
3. Did you learn anything new about biblical poetry and wisdom that will help you read it more effectively?
4. Read Psalm 23 with your group. How does this Psalm serve as an example of the fact that God cares about every part of your life?
5. Ultimately, biblical poetry is all about our longing for things that only God can provide. Can you think of the deep things in your life that you truly long for? How does God fulfill them through Jesus?
6. What is your personal relationship role in letting Jesus fulfill what you’re longing for?