1

Song of Songs Gordon H. Johnston article examines the Song of Songs and compares the major views of this poetic canticle. He prefers the view of an anthology of love songs rather than poetic narrative of Solomons relationship with one of his wives. According to Johnston, the problem with the narrative view is that it lacks many qualities necessary within a narrative such as a clear story line or character development. These issues, however, are insignificant when the work is understood as a collection. The anthology theory is based upon the similarities that sections of the poem share with Egyptian love poetry. In addition to this there are elements of various patterns that can be found throughout the book that seem to indicate the possibility of both symmetrical and concentric patterns. Another indication of the possibility of anthology is that it bears similarity to Solomons other collections; Ecclesiastes and Proverbs. The possibility of Song of Songs being an anthology of love poetry collected and edited by Solomon is consistent with his other literary work and well explains some of the stylistic difficulties with the book.

The Historicity of Job as a Real Person Arguments for and against the historical existence of Job both contain strong data for each point. Those who believe Job is merely a fictionalized account see it as a parable of how even the innocent suffer and yet God is still sovereign. This view is problematic, in part, because the significance and importance of these lessons are negatively impacted if they are not true. If the narrative sections of Job are historical rather than fictional, the message and wisdom this book is far more potent.1 Additionally, a purely non-historical view has the appearance of presenting God in a rather unflattering light. If seen as only a parable, Gods only concern seems to be displaying His sovereignty instead of His compassion and kindness. Though issues with
1

LaSor, William. Old Testament Survey. Grand Rapids: Eerdsman, 1996, p477

consistency exist, the literary structure of the prologue and its relationship to the narrative are consistent with other Old Testament works. This relationship becomes even more complicated if the prologue and body are viewed as separate works. The question of whether or not Job truly lived does not invalidate the message of Job. The absence of convincing contradictory evidence points to the existence of a real person named Job.

Psalm 22 In this psalm David is describing the scene of Christ on the cross and in quite vivid detail. This psalm should be viewed as a prophecy for at least two major reasons. First, we see no connection between Davids life and the need for him to use such language in reference to his life. Secondly, we the cross, the Christ, and the crucifixion answering question after question found in the psalm. Some have suggested that this prediction of the cross is so exact that it makes us think it had to be written by one standing at the foot of the cross. But this is not the psalm of an observer reporting an event. It was written almost a thousand years before the event, and it is written in the first person.2 Here we have one telling about his own experience. We have to say, therefore, that this psalm is the result of the Spirit of God taking over the pen of David in a strange and marvelous way so he, David, was able to write the very words of the Messiah himself.

Roger Ellsworth, Opening Up Psalms (Leominster: Day One Publications, 2006), 193-94.