What do you think?
Rate this book
New Studies in Biblical Theology #46
Finding Favour in the Sight of God: A Theology of Wisdom Literature
There has been an explosion of interest in wisdom literature, and many studies are now available. There is every opportunity for people to "get wisdom, get insight" (Prov. 4:5). However, in today's world it seems the practical sensibilities that come from wisdom are found in very few places. Wisdom literature is needed now more than ever. By walking in the way of wisdom, we will "find favour and good success in the sight of God and man" (Prov. 3:4).
In this New Studies in Biblical Theology volume, Richard Belcher begins with a survey of the problem of wisdom literature in Old Testament theology. Subsequent chapters focus on the message and theology of the books of Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes. These point forward to the need for Christ and the gospel. Belcher concludes by exploring the relationship of Christ to wisdom in terms of his person, work, and teaching ministry.
Addressing key issues in biblical theology, the works comprising New Studies in Biblical Theology are creative attempts to help Christians better understand their Bibles. The NSBT series is edited by D. A. Carson, aiming to simultaneously instruct and to edify, to interact with current scholarship and to point the way ahead.
In this New Studies in Biblical Theology volume, Richard Belcher begins with a survey of the problem of wisdom literature in Old Testament theology. Subsequent chapters focus on the message and theology of the books of Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes. These point forward to the need for Christ and the gospel. Belcher concludes by exploring the relationship of Christ to wisdom in terms of his person, work, and teaching ministry.
Addressing key issues in biblical theology, the works comprising New Studies in Biblical Theology are creative attempts to help Christians better understand their Bibles. The NSBT series is edited by D. A. Carson, aiming to simultaneously instruct and to edify, to interact with current scholarship and to point the way ahead.
364 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 18, 2018
17 people are currently reading
170 people want to read
About the author
Richard P. Belcher Jr.
45 books19 followersDr. Belcher is the Professor of Old Testament. He is an ordained minister in the PCA and pastored an urban nondenominational church in Rochester, NY for ten years before pursuing the Ph. D. This pastoral experience in an unusual and challenging setting gives him great insight into the practical, modern issues that will be faced by future pastors studying with him at RTS. He graduated from Covenant College and received his M. Div from Covenant Seminary. He also received an S.T.M. from Concordia Theological Seminary, and his Ph. D. is from Westminster Theological Seminary. He has served as stated supply for numerous churches in the area since coming to RTS Charlotte in 1995.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
February 12, 2024
Dr. Belcher at his best.
December 18, 2018
Summary: A study of the message and theology of Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes concluding with an exploration of Jesus and wisdom.
The wisdom literature of the Old Testament is both treasured and puzzled over. Sometimes as we read Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes, we wonder "what do we make of these books?" Once we get beyond the first nine chapters of Proverbs and Proverbs 31, is there any structure or order to these sayings? How should we understand the message of Job? Of Ecclesiastes? These books seem very different from the rest of the Old Testament, so much so that Richard P. Belcher, Jr. notes that these books are sometimes referred to as the orphans of Old Testament theology.
This study seeks to address this challenge, beginning with rooting the wisdom books on a foundation of creation, in which wisdom is grounded in observing, interacting with, reflecting on, and drawing conclusions from creation, rather than revelation from God, which helps connect these texts to other parts of the Old Testament. After discussing these issues, Belcher outlines the plan of the book which is three chapters on each of the three wisdom books, considering their message, interpretation, and theology, with a concluding epilogue on Jesus and how wisdom was evident in his person, life, and teaching.
In his chapters on Proverbs, he explores the message of the first nine chapters including the two ways and the person of Lady Wisdom. He then tackles the hermeneutics of proverbs and the question of whether proverbs should be understood as absolute statements. Finally, he considers the theology of Proverbs focusing on the sovereignty of God and the how the Proverbs reflects the creation order within which we seek to live wisely and well. He concludes with a fascinating discussion of "life" in Proverbs, proposing that the horizon of this life, though a focus of Proverbs, is insufficient to understand all references.
The study of Job begins with a discussion of the theology of the first three chapters followed by a discussion of the speeches of Job 4-26. He characterizes Eliphaz as the counselor who misses the mark, Bildad as the defender of God's justice, and Zophar as the interpreter of God's ways. None credit the possibility that sometimes the innocent suffer. This sets up his concluding chapter on Job 27-42, in which it becomes clear that wisdom is not to be found among men but only as revealed in Job's encounter with God, where both his innocence is vindicated and the folly of his challenge to God is revealed. The book stands as a challenge to an inflexible doctrine of divine retribution and looks ahead to the ultimate innocent sufferer, Jesus.
Belcher approaches Ecclesiastes or Qohelet as largely written from an "under the sun" perspective and that the "wisdom" derived from such a perspective is ultimately hebel or futile. Positive passages are offset by the bleak ones. Human wisdom is revealed to be unable to answer either "what is good?" or "what will come in the future." Belcher believes the postscript is key for countering this bleak assessment in its encouragements to fear God and keep God's commands--a wisdom from "above the sun."
The epilogue concludes with connecting wisdom in the teaching, person, and work of Christ with the wisdom books. He draws helpful parallels between Proverbs and the Sermon on the Mount, and discusses how Christ's person and work fulfills wisdom.
I found three things that were helpful in this study. One was the care given to how we read the wisdom books. The second was a clarity in his summaries the message of the books, probably as clear as I've found anywhere. Thirdly, the discussion of the connection of wisdom to creation order as well as the fulfillment of wisdom in the person of Christ addresses the orphan character of these books. It seemed to me the author hit all the important aspects to be addressed in these books within the limits of te format of this series.
___________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
The wisdom literature of the Old Testament is both treasured and puzzled over. Sometimes as we read Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes, we wonder "what do we make of these books?" Once we get beyond the first nine chapters of Proverbs and Proverbs 31, is there any structure or order to these sayings? How should we understand the message of Job? Of Ecclesiastes? These books seem very different from the rest of the Old Testament, so much so that Richard P. Belcher, Jr. notes that these books are sometimes referred to as the orphans of Old Testament theology.
This study seeks to address this challenge, beginning with rooting the wisdom books on a foundation of creation, in which wisdom is grounded in observing, interacting with, reflecting on, and drawing conclusions from creation, rather than revelation from God, which helps connect these texts to other parts of the Old Testament. After discussing these issues, Belcher outlines the plan of the book which is three chapters on each of the three wisdom books, considering their message, interpretation, and theology, with a concluding epilogue on Jesus and how wisdom was evident in his person, life, and teaching.
In his chapters on Proverbs, he explores the message of the first nine chapters including the two ways and the person of Lady Wisdom. He then tackles the hermeneutics of proverbs and the question of whether proverbs should be understood as absolute statements. Finally, he considers the theology of Proverbs focusing on the sovereignty of God and the how the Proverbs reflects the creation order within which we seek to live wisely and well. He concludes with a fascinating discussion of "life" in Proverbs, proposing that the horizon of this life, though a focus of Proverbs, is insufficient to understand all references.
The study of Job begins with a discussion of the theology of the first three chapters followed by a discussion of the speeches of Job 4-26. He characterizes Eliphaz as the counselor who misses the mark, Bildad as the defender of God's justice, and Zophar as the interpreter of God's ways. None credit the possibility that sometimes the innocent suffer. This sets up his concluding chapter on Job 27-42, in which it becomes clear that wisdom is not to be found among men but only as revealed in Job's encounter with God, where both his innocence is vindicated and the folly of his challenge to God is revealed. The book stands as a challenge to an inflexible doctrine of divine retribution and looks ahead to the ultimate innocent sufferer, Jesus.
Belcher approaches Ecclesiastes or Qohelet as largely written from an "under the sun" perspective and that the "wisdom" derived from such a perspective is ultimately hebel or futile. Positive passages are offset by the bleak ones. Human wisdom is revealed to be unable to answer either "what is good?" or "what will come in the future." Belcher believes the postscript is key for countering this bleak assessment in its encouragements to fear God and keep God's commands--a wisdom from "above the sun."
The epilogue concludes with connecting wisdom in the teaching, person, and work of Christ with the wisdom books. He draws helpful parallels between Proverbs and the Sermon on the Mount, and discusses how Christ's person and work fulfills wisdom.
I found three things that were helpful in this study. One was the care given to how we read the wisdom books. The second was a clarity in his summaries the message of the books, probably as clear as I've found anywhere. Thirdly, the discussion of the connection of wisdom to creation order as well as the fulfillment of wisdom in the person of Christ addresses the orphan character of these books. It seemed to me the author hit all the important aspects to be addressed in these books within the limits of te format of this series.
___________________________
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received a complimentary review copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
August 15, 2024
Die gesamte Reihe hat zwar den Anspruch, akademisch zu sein, mein Eindruck sagt mir aber, dass es eigentlich eher für den pastoralen Kontext geeignet ist. Es werden zwar kurz Forschungsdiskussionen angestoßen, dann aber öfters nicht weiter diskutiert. Immer wieder werden lediglich die eigenen Beobachtungen mit Autoren aus der eigenen Bubble weitergedacht. War mir inhaltlich zu wenig. Auch schienen mir manche Überlegungen zu platt und reformiert (überall wird zB die „Souveränität Gottes hineingelesen). Wie aber bereits erwähnt, fand ich einige Ideen für den kirchlichen Kontext sehr spannend.
Read
October 11, 2024Dr. Belcher does it again! Learned a ton from reading this book.
May 16, 2022
Fairly helpful introduction to wisdom literature. I thought it was better on Job than Proverbs.
November 4, 2021
Wisdom is not obedience to a set of rules, but the development of a style that knows how to judge! - James William McClendon jr
Richard Belcher's study of the Wisdom Literature was such a great, full of insights read. It brought back to my attention the importance of wisdom literature as a way of navigating life's pitfalls. The first chapter is academic to its core, surveying the "OT Wisdom" scholarship and preparing the way for his treatment of Proverbs, Job and Ecclesiastes. For each, three chapters are allotted for studying the message of the book, the theological themes that weave their way into its message and some hermeneutical guidelines for proper reading and understanding. The core ideas that shape chapters two through ten can be summed up in: Wisdom is the reasoned search for specific ways to assure well-being the implementation of those discoveries in daily existence, all built upon the foundation that is "the fear of the Lord". Wisdom was used by God to create the world, thus it can be found in the natural order by men through reflection, observation and drawing conclusions from life's experiences. However, deductive wisdom is not sufficient, for "under the sun" all is vanity; thus wisdom must transcend human boundaries (deductive wisdom is not to be divorced from divinely revealed wisdom). Suffering is (tightly) tied up to living life, so there's is an aspect of wisdom in how we deal with suffering. Being prone to ask "how do I respond to suffering", rather than "why am I suffering?" is a mark of genuine wisdom. This is not to negate hardship and suffering, but to promote a higher understanding of life where the wise is aware of his limited knowledge and trusts (fears) the Lord for deliverance!
Chapter eleven tops the discussion up with Jesus as the embodiment of wisdom (but not strictly the personified wisdom that appears in Proverbs). There is plenty of biblical material and, keeping in mind the series of which this book is part, I think it achieves the goal it sets out to achieve. Wisdom is finding favour in the sight of God!
Richard Belcher's study of the Wisdom Literature was such a great, full of insights read. It brought back to my attention the importance of wisdom literature as a way of navigating life's pitfalls. The first chapter is academic to its core, surveying the "OT Wisdom" scholarship and preparing the way for his treatment of Proverbs, Job and Ecclesiastes. For each, three chapters are allotted for studying the message of the book, the theological themes that weave their way into its message and some hermeneutical guidelines for proper reading and understanding. The core ideas that shape chapters two through ten can be summed up in: Wisdom is the reasoned search for specific ways to assure well-being the implementation of those discoveries in daily existence, all built upon the foundation that is "the fear of the Lord". Wisdom was used by God to create the world, thus it can be found in the natural order by men through reflection, observation and drawing conclusions from life's experiences. However, deductive wisdom is not sufficient, for "under the sun" all is vanity; thus wisdom must transcend human boundaries (deductive wisdom is not to be divorced from divinely revealed wisdom). Suffering is (tightly) tied up to living life, so there's is an aspect of wisdom in how we deal with suffering. Being prone to ask "how do I respond to suffering", rather than "why am I suffering?" is a mark of genuine wisdom. This is not to negate hardship and suffering, but to promote a higher understanding of life where the wise is aware of his limited knowledge and trusts (fears) the Lord for deliverance!
Chapter eleven tops the discussion up with Jesus as the embodiment of wisdom (but not strictly the personified wisdom that appears in Proverbs). There is plenty of biblical material and, keeping in mind the series of which this book is part, I think it achieves the goal it sets out to achieve. Wisdom is finding favour in the sight of God!
October 26, 2018
This latest entry in the New Studies In Biblical Theology (NSBT) by Richard Belcher and edited by D. A. Carson presents a theology of wisdom literature. Since this series has already provided Hear My Son by Daniel Estes and Five Festal Garments by Barry Webb, I opened this volume with something of a here-we-go-again attitude. I was in that fog for a few pages before I realized that this book was a really good one. Think of a field laden with nuggets. Often, I would catch myself saying, yes, that is what that wisdom book is about!
Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes make up the bulk of this volume. Since they each provide their own difficulties, help is appreciated. Theology and structural concerns shine throughout this volume.
The opening chapter explains why wisdom literature is such a challenge in the formulation of Old Testament theology. Making Creation its foundation was a reasonable hermeneutic. Chapter 2 discusses the theology of Proverbs 1-9. The structure outlined made sense to me. That’s followed by a brief chapter on the hermeneutics of Proverbs. Chapter 4 rounds out the study of Proverbs by concluding its main theological themes.
The next three chapters look at Job. For my money, this section is the richest in the book. In these chapters, I was amazed at how much he could impart to us. The chapters divide the Book of Job into three parts, but it’s so much more than that! The speeches, the structure, the theology–all so perceptive!
Ecclesiastes gets three chapters as well. If they aren’t quite as good as the ones on Job, they still are fine specimens of drawing theology out of a wisdom book. The final chapter on Jesus and wisdom makes the perfect conclusion to this book.
This book provides perfectly what you would want in this type of volume. Let’s rate it highly recommended.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes make up the bulk of this volume. Since they each provide their own difficulties, help is appreciated. Theology and structural concerns shine throughout this volume.
The opening chapter explains why wisdom literature is such a challenge in the formulation of Old Testament theology. Making Creation its foundation was a reasonable hermeneutic. Chapter 2 discusses the theology of Proverbs 1-9. The structure outlined made sense to me. That’s followed by a brief chapter on the hermeneutics of Proverbs. Chapter 4 rounds out the study of Proverbs by concluding its main theological themes.
The next three chapters look at Job. For my money, this section is the richest in the book. In these chapters, I was amazed at how much he could impart to us. The chapters divide the Book of Job into three parts, but it’s so much more than that! The speeches, the structure, the theology–all so perceptive!
Ecclesiastes gets three chapters as well. If they aren’t quite as good as the ones on Job, they still are fine specimens of drawing theology out of a wisdom book. The final chapter on Jesus and wisdom makes the perfect conclusion to this book.
This book provides perfectly what you would want in this type of volume. Let’s rate it highly recommended.
I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255.
Read
November 18, 2024He briefly outlines some of the main themes and messages in the books of Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes. Gave me some good interpretive insights and got me excited about doing a sermon series through Ecclesiastes one day.
February 24, 2022
This was overall a good overview of Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes. His reading of Proverbs was standard, Job quite good, and Ecclesiastes quite weak. Useful, not ground-breaking, and marred by reading Ecclesiastes as a meditation on the dangers of speculative wisdom - which, oddly, is what secular commentators such as Robert Alter do by assuming Ecc 12:12-14 is a later editor's attempt to "rescue" Qoheleth for orthodoxy.
July 13, 2024
A solid intro to Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, and Wisdom Christology (including a critique of its abuse). Belcher is heavy on summary as he works through the books chapter-by-chapter, and he is a careful scholar in his treatment of the material and recent scholarship. Seems like something of a base text or beefed-up syllabus for a course on wisdom books.
September 5, 2024
Excellent little volume. The chapters on Proverbs and Job were particularly helpful.
December 5, 2024
Really enjoyed the chapters about Job!
May 14, 2023
See my (slightly) longer review on SpoiledMilks (4/19/23).
Proverbs is full of practical wisdom, but how do they relate to the long, winding speeches and debates of Job or to Ecclesiastes’ seemingly dour perspective on God and life? As well, how do these books fit within salvation history and the rest of God’s plan? Richard Belcher, professor of Old Testament at RTS, seeks to answer this question. And, in my perspective, he succeeds brilliantly.
Chapter 1 covers the problem of wisdom literature in OT theology. The Wisdom writings have been a sort of “orphan” in OT studies. Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes don’t recite God’s acts of salvation in history, and they do not “fit into the type of faith exhibited in the historical and prophetic literatures” (1).
However these books are vital.
Proverbs presents God’s way of wisdom as a path that we can walk on, founded in his created order—which cannot be understood fully but through special revelation— and through fearing him. Yet we cannot fully comprehend God’s ways in this world. God is free and we are finite and fallen creatures (14). Jon wrestled with the seeming disconnect between suffering and piety. Qohelet sees the breakdown of the deed-consequence relationship as he examines a world that does not make sense.
Belcher provides three chapters for each of these three wisdom books. The next three chapters cover the message of Proverbs 1-9 (chapter 2) and the hermeneutics (chapter 3) and theology (chapter 4) of Proverbs. The better one understands how God made his world, the better decisions he will make as he understand God’s wisdom. By fearing the Lord we submit our lives to his ways because we see him as our Creator and Savior. Proverbs puts forth a general “deed-consequence” relationship, where the good life comes as a consequence of doing good and wise deeds, and ruin as a result of wicked acts. yet Proverbs doesn’t promise this will happen.
Chapter 5-7 cover Job. The book of Job doesn’t give an answer to why we suffer. We know the conversation between Satan and God, but Job didn’t, and he was never told anything about it. Job is a book about how to respond to suffering and where true wisdom can be found (77).
Chapter 6 covers the bulk of Job, and Belcher examines the speeches made by Job’s three friends and Job’s responses to them.
Chapter 7 heads toward where wisdom can be found, as asked by Job in Job 28. It starts with the fear of the Lord, the recognition that he is God the Creator who is all wise and is in control (as seen in chapters 38-41). Belcher sees two situations in the book of Job over how Job responds to his suffering and his situation. Situation A deals with of Job has sinned to cause his suffering. Situation B deals with how Job responds in his suffering. He does not always honor God in what he says here. So when God shows up, he does not directly address Job’s complaint. What he does confront is what Job has said “about God’s justice and his governing of the world” (120).
Chapter 8 covers key questions that help us interpret Ecclesiastes. Chapter 9 provides an excellent distillation of Qohelet’s message in Ecclesiastes. Belcher believes that the narrator (or “frame narrator” since his message—1:1-11 and 12:8-14—frames Qohelet’s message: 1:12-12:7) of Ecclesiastes has a different perspective than Qohelet (whose dour message takes up the bulk of the book). Qohelet tried study the ways of wisdom and foolishness by his own understanding. He never turned to God for understanding. In his perspective, all is vanity, “futility,” or “senselessness” (143).
The frame narrator brings the work to a close reminding the son (and us) of what is truly important: fearing God and obeying him. Having a Godward perspective on life keeps us from falling into the same despair as Qohelet.
Chapter 10 provides a synthesis both of Qohelet’s views of the world and God and his works and of Ecclesiastes’ theology.
Belcher ends with a look at wisdom in the teaching, person, and work of Jesus (chapter 11). He looks at Jesus’ use of proverbs and his teaching in the Beatitudes, and he compares passages in Proverbs with the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is Job’s answer. Wisdom must come from God himself, and Jesus Jesus is the embodiment of God’s wisdom, but he is no creature (Jn 1; Col 1:15-20).
Recommended?
As I said in the beginning, Belcher succeeds in displaying how these three wisdom books work on their own, together, and within the canon of Scripture. He gives thorough summaries of Job and Ecclesiastes and is attuned to the theology of those books to make sense of the competing messages they give about God and the world. This volume will be helpful to both laypeople looking for a deeper study into the theology and message of these books, and especially pastors, teachers, and academics.
Proverbs is full of practical wisdom, but how do they relate to the long, winding speeches and debates of Job or to Ecclesiastes’ seemingly dour perspective on God and life? As well, how do these books fit within salvation history and the rest of God’s plan? Richard Belcher, professor of Old Testament at RTS, seeks to answer this question. And, in my perspective, he succeeds brilliantly.
Chapter 1 covers the problem of wisdom literature in OT theology. The Wisdom writings have been a sort of “orphan” in OT studies. Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes don’t recite God’s acts of salvation in history, and they do not “fit into the type of faith exhibited in the historical and prophetic literatures” (1).
However these books are vital.
Proverbs presents God’s way of wisdom as a path that we can walk on, founded in his created order—which cannot be understood fully but through special revelation— and through fearing him. Yet we cannot fully comprehend God’s ways in this world. God is free and we are finite and fallen creatures (14). Jon wrestled with the seeming disconnect between suffering and piety. Qohelet sees the breakdown of the deed-consequence relationship as he examines a world that does not make sense.
Belcher provides three chapters for each of these three wisdom books. The next three chapters cover the message of Proverbs 1-9 (chapter 2) and the hermeneutics (chapter 3) and theology (chapter 4) of Proverbs. The better one understands how God made his world, the better decisions he will make as he understand God’s wisdom. By fearing the Lord we submit our lives to his ways because we see him as our Creator and Savior. Proverbs puts forth a general “deed-consequence” relationship, where the good life comes as a consequence of doing good and wise deeds, and ruin as a result of wicked acts. yet Proverbs doesn’t promise this will happen.
Chapter 5-7 cover Job. The book of Job doesn’t give an answer to why we suffer. We know the conversation between Satan and God, but Job didn’t, and he was never told anything about it. Job is a book about how to respond to suffering and where true wisdom can be found (77).
Chapter 6 covers the bulk of Job, and Belcher examines the speeches made by Job’s three friends and Job’s responses to them.
Chapter 7 heads toward where wisdom can be found, as asked by Job in Job 28. It starts with the fear of the Lord, the recognition that he is God the Creator who is all wise and is in control (as seen in chapters 38-41). Belcher sees two situations in the book of Job over how Job responds to his suffering and his situation. Situation A deals with of Job has sinned to cause his suffering. Situation B deals with how Job responds in his suffering. He does not always honor God in what he says here. So when God shows up, he does not directly address Job’s complaint. What he does confront is what Job has said “about God’s justice and his governing of the world” (120).
Chapter 8 covers key questions that help us interpret Ecclesiastes. Chapter 9 provides an excellent distillation of Qohelet’s message in Ecclesiastes. Belcher believes that the narrator (or “frame narrator” since his message—1:1-11 and 12:8-14—frames Qohelet’s message: 1:12-12:7) of Ecclesiastes has a different perspective than Qohelet (whose dour message takes up the bulk of the book). Qohelet tried study the ways of wisdom and foolishness by his own understanding. He never turned to God for understanding. In his perspective, all is vanity, “futility,” or “senselessness” (143).
The frame narrator brings the work to a close reminding the son (and us) of what is truly important: fearing God and obeying him. Having a Godward perspective on life keeps us from falling into the same despair as Qohelet.
Chapter 10 provides a synthesis both of Qohelet’s views of the world and God and his works and of Ecclesiastes’ theology.
Belcher ends with a look at wisdom in the teaching, person, and work of Jesus (chapter 11). He looks at Jesus’ use of proverbs and his teaching in the Beatitudes, and he compares passages in Proverbs with the Sermon on the Mount. Jesus is Job’s answer. Wisdom must come from God himself, and Jesus Jesus is the embodiment of God’s wisdom, but he is no creature (Jn 1; Col 1:15-20).
Recommended?
As I said in the beginning, Belcher succeeds in displaying how these three wisdom books work on their own, together, and within the canon of Scripture. He gives thorough summaries of Job and Ecclesiastes and is attuned to the theology of those books to make sense of the competing messages they give about God and the world. This volume will be helpful to both laypeople looking for a deeper study into the theology and message of these books, and especially pastors, teachers, and academics.
February 20, 2021
This workmanlike volume offers a basic introduction to three key wisdom books in the Old Testament. Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes each consider different aspects of wisdom.
In Proverbs wisdom is the ability to understand how life works so we can respond appropriately. Wisdom comes from observation of the world (as found in God’s created order) rather than by direct revelation such as the law.
The book of Job critiques the common ancient view that the wicked are always punished in this life and the righteous are always rewarded. This leads to the question of where wisdom can be found, which is not from any of the people in the story but in God. Regarding Job 28, I was not convinced by his case that this chapter represents Job’s words rather than that of the narrator.
In Ecclesiastes, Qohelet (the Preacher) draws rather jaded conclusions based on his observations of life “under the sun” (that is, without God). The narrator (who provides an introduction and conclusion) tells us that the Preacher is right from his limited perspective. All forms of human wisdom are meaningless and empty unless God is brought into the picture.
Throughout Belcher brings Jesus’ words and works into consideration by way of comparison and contrast. He gives this focused attention in a final helpful chapter.
--
The publisher provided me with a complimentary copy of the book. My opinions are my own.
In Proverbs wisdom is the ability to understand how life works so we can respond appropriately. Wisdom comes from observation of the world (as found in God’s created order) rather than by direct revelation such as the law.
The book of Job critiques the common ancient view that the wicked are always punished in this life and the righteous are always rewarded. This leads to the question of where wisdom can be found, which is not from any of the people in the story but in God. Regarding Job 28, I was not convinced by his case that this chapter represents Job’s words rather than that of the narrator.
In Ecclesiastes, Qohelet (the Preacher) draws rather jaded conclusions based on his observations of life “under the sun” (that is, without God). The narrator (who provides an introduction and conclusion) tells us that the Preacher is right from his limited perspective. All forms of human wisdom are meaningless and empty unless God is brought into the picture.
Throughout Belcher brings Jesus’ words and works into consideration by way of comparison and contrast. He gives this focused attention in a final helpful chapter.
--
The publisher provided me with a complimentary copy of the book. My opinions are my own.
May 21, 2025
Simply put, this may be one of the best books written on a theology of the wisdom literature and also how to apply it to the believer's life. A healthy balance of technical and common lingo is used throughout, with both critical (liberal) scholarship discussed as well as much modern scholarship on the wisdom literature. I would highly encourage every pastor studying, teaching, or preaching on the wisdom literature to have a copy of this book.
November 11, 2019
Excellent, clear and insightful.
October 17, 2024
Paradigm-shifting on Ecclesiastes.
March 8, 2025
This guy really redeemed himself in Ecclesiastes. Also, his Proverbs chapters were better on the reread. Skip Job
November 6, 2018
"here does this Proverb fit in with the grand scheme of Scripture? For that matter, what is the “theology” of Proverbs, and how does it sync up with other wisdom literature, and the Bible as a whole?
These are the sorts of difficult questions tackled by Richard Belcher in Finding Favour in the Sight of God, a new book in the series “New Studies in Biblical Theology.” If you’ve not encountered this series before, you should take a look. Some of the books in it are more academic and scholarly than will be of use to the layman, while others are more accessible (without being dumbed down). But all of the ones I’ve read so far have been worthwhile, even a few of them took focus and effort."
Read the rest at: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/schaeff...
These are the sorts of difficult questions tackled by Richard Belcher in Finding Favour in the Sight of God, a new book in the series “New Studies in Biblical Theology.” If you’ve not encountered this series before, you should take a look. Some of the books in it are more academic and scholarly than will be of use to the layman, while others are more accessible (without being dumbed down). But all of the ones I’ve read so far have been worthwhile, even a few of them took focus and effort."
Read the rest at: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/schaeff...
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews