NAIROBI PENTECOSTAL BIBLE

COLLEGE

COURSE TITLE: WISDOM LITERATURE

STUDENT NAME: ANDREW WAFULA

PHILIP

CENTER: KAHAWA WEST PEFA

CHURCH

CLASS MANAGER: PST. STEPHEN

IRUNGU

DATE OF SUBMISSION: 8TH JUNE 2024

 WISDOM LITERATURE

LESSON ONE

Quiz 1: What is the difference between Biblical wisdom and Ancient wisdom of the times

the wisdom literature was written.

Both Biblical wisdom and the wisdom of the ancient times share some commonalities but also
have distinct features. Here is some of the key differences between biblical wisdom and the
wisdom literature of the times in which it was written.

i. Biblical wisdom is inherently tied to religious beliefs, particularly within the Judeo-
Christian tradition. It often emphasizes the fear of God, obedience to divine
commandments and the importance of faith while ancient wisdom literature, on the
other hand, was not always explicitly religious. While it may have included
references to gods or the divine, the wisdom impacted was often more focused on
practical advice for living a good life rather than on religious doctrine.
ii. Biblical wisdom was attributed to various authors, including King Solomon in the book
of Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and the Song of Solomon. These texts are considered
divinely inspired and are part of the sacred scriptures of Judaism and Christianity
while ancient wisdom literature from other cultures often lack specific authorship
attributions and was composed by sages, philosophers or scholars of the time. These
works were valued for their practical insights and philosophical reflections.
iii. Biblical wisdom often emphasizes moral and ethical teachings based on the divine law.
It presents a clear distinction between good and evil, righteousness and wickedness,
and often provides guidance on how to live a virtuous life. While ancient wisdom
literature may focus more on practical advice for navigating the complexities of life,
relationships and society. While ethical considerations are present they are not always
as explicitly tied to religious or more imperatives as in Biblical wisdom.
iv. Biblical wisdom literature aims to instruct believers on how to live a life pleasing to
God, cultivate virtues such as wisdom, humility, righteousness, and navigate the
challenges of faith and morality. While ancient wisdom literature from other cultures

2
 often seeks to impart practical wisdom for everyday living including advice on
governance, relationship, commerce, and personal conduct. It aims to provide
guidance for achieving success, happiness and fulfilment in life.

Quiz 2: What is the difference between Biblical wisdom and earthly wisdom reflected
today in different ways

Earthly wisdom appeals to the senses and the emotions in contrast, the Biblical wisdom is
from God and reflects Him. While earthly wisdom says always follow your heart, Godly
wisdom tells us in Jeremiah 17:9 that the heart is deceitful above all things. While earthly
wisdom says seeing is believing, Godly wisdom tells us in John 20:29 that blessed are those
who have not seen and yet have believed. While earthly wisdom says love your family and
friends, Godly wisdom tells us in Matthew 5:43-47 to also love your enemies and bless them.
While earthly wisdom says that there are many ways to God, Godly wisdom tells us in Acts
4:12 that there is only one way to God, Jesus Christ.

The Bible asserts that God sets the standard about what’s real and true and lasting. The
worldly perspective says that each of us gets to make up our own standards.

Quiz 3: What do you think is the place of wisdom in Christian life today?

Walking is wisdom is seeing things from God’s perspective and obeying him. It leads to
abundant life. God’s word promises that wisdom brings us joy, health, long life, promotion,
peace, honor, and riches (Proverbs 3:7-8, 13-18,35 & Proverbs 4:7-8, 11-12).

Walking in wisdom helps us to make the right choices for our lives and protects us (Proverbs
2:11-16; 29:8). It equips us to handle difficult situations and relationships.

Wisdom helps you work smarter not harder (Ecclesiastes 10:10). Those who have God’s
wisdom will show it in the way that they live.

A wise person walks in righteousness (proverbs 10), not just what you do but who you are in
Christ (2 Corinthians 5:21). A truly wise person does what God’s word says.

We need God’s wisdom to navigate the days in which we live i.e. complicated relationships,
how to handle your money, how to face adversity with faith, where to go and what to do.
You won’t regret walking in Godly wisdom (Isaiah 28:29, Ephesians 5: 15-17).

3
Quiz 4: Narrate a situation in your own life where you think the application of wisdom
was needed to create a solution. As you reflect on it, analyze your reaction to the
situation in terms of whether wisdom was applied or not and the consequences that
followed.

A woman came and approached me at my business and explained to me what they were
going through in their marriage. The problem was that this woman was married with one
child to her husband and they agreed to stay together with that child of which the husband
had no issue to marry this lady with a child of which was not his. After ten years in marriage,
problems begun to erupt because of this child who was not the biological son of her husband
and the man wanted that child to be taken out of that family and taken to his family. All this
was resulting because the boy was almost completing the class 8 exams and was to be taken
to the high school which needed a lot of school fees and another issue is the land for this boy.
This affected the man so much and he was not ready to honor what they has agreed in the
first place.
After hearing the whole story from this woman, I advised to talk to her husband first and also
to hear his story then I advise them accordingly. After listening to her husband, I realized that
they had agreed initially that this child after he has reached class six, she should take him to
her parents (grandparents) or to his family (the child’s family) and this had not happened, so
the man was angry about that.
I reached out to the lady and told her to take the child to his grandparents and then support
him while he there instead of that child breaking a marriage of more than ten years. Also, I
advised here to begin a business since she was jobless so that she can take care of her son.
Here wisdom was not needed to help save their marriage. After two years, they came to me
all together and narrated how their marriage was doing and also the woman had excelled in
the business that she had begun. This became so easily to take care of her and son and save
the marriage.
I came to realize that this man was much overwhelmed by the needs of this family and he
thought maybe this child could be part of the problem.
I can clearly say that the woman applied the advice I gave here hence wisdom was applied
maximally.

4
 LESSON TWO
Quiz 1: What is the role of prayer in facing suffering in your understanding of the book
of Job.
i. Prayer is lifting your mind and heart to God. So we like Job see our situation as a fact
rather than a punishment and the question is how we respond. Did I expect special
treatment, if others suffer why I shouldn’t? This may not be what I expected but it is a
valid part of life, nonetheless. Deal with it as best I can knowing that God is still with
me.
ii. Praying the book of Job will give you the fortitude and hope to sustain you throughout
all of your current and future circumstances. Having the “patience of Job” is knowing
who to listen to in times of trouble.
iii. Prayer makes you to love your enemies by praying for them and through that God is
able to restore to you what you lost in your life like Job when he prayed for his
friends who were like his enemies. God restored everything that he had lost (Job
42:10).
iv. Prayer helps you to get focused knowing that suffering is just for a while and God is
able to deliver you out of it all.
v. Prayer helps one to get empowered knowing that he is able to face any challenge and
overcome in Jesus name.
vi. When facing any suffering you are able to pray and God strengthens you to stand firm
and knowing that no situation is permanent before him (God).
vii. Prayer helps you to have a different perspective over life in that you are able to know
that everything is vanity but when you are on the side of God you are safe.
Quiz 2: Develop a short teaching (two paragraphs they may help to clarify the question:
“why do the righteous suffer.”

The righteous suffer because God want to test their faith in him. Some people try to say that if
you suffer it’s because you have sinned and angered God. But I think this outlook is incorrect,
considering that Job did nothing wrong. He did nothing to deserve what happened to him. In Job
it says that Job was “blameless and upright, one who feared God and turned away from evil!”
(Job 1:1). God does not punish us throughout trials. He sends us trials to test and deepen our
relationship and faith in him. God sends us trials to make us more like him. James 1 is a very

5
good chapter on suffering and it says. “.. So that you may be more mature and complete, lacking
nothing” (James 1:4). In sharing in Christ’s sufferings, we also become more mature in the faith,
and we begin to imitate his character. So then you should, “… rejoice as you share in the
sufferings of the Messiah.” (I Peter 4:13) because our character matures though trials. In the end,
we will be refined and purified by the fire of trials. We will come out as sparkling gold. “When
he has tried me, I shall come forth as gold,” (Job 23:10) as Job confirms.

Suffering is to bring glory to God. Everything we do as Christians should glorify God. But you
might be asking, “How could suffering bring glory to God.” When the righteous endure until the
end, praise God amidst tribulation and trust his control, he gets glory, he even gets glory at the
end when we witness to others and we testify how faithful he has been through it all. Paul in
Philippians 1 states, “… that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or
death (Philippians 1:20). “Why God should be glorified.” You might ask, because God deserves
all our glory and praise, even when we can’t see what he is doing. Suffering affects all of
humanity. But we as Christians have hoe through Christ. We learn from Job that we shouldn’t
fear the outcome because God is in control of our trials and he is right there with us through it
all.

Quiz 3: what lessons do we learn about the nature and work of God in the book of Job.

i. Bad things happen to good people. The book of Job opens in verse one by telling us
that Job was a blameless, upright man who feared God and turned away from evil.
Then his life unraveled. Job’s suffering did not come because he was bad but rather
because of his unwavering faithfulness to God (Job 1:8).
ii. In the midst of suffering we must never lose our hope in God.
iii. God is a sovereign being, and that all he does is right. He is not only mighty but he is
right. It is in line with his character of love. He is consistent, ever with himself.
iv. Our friends may fail us in the midst of our misery but God never does. Job friends put
him on the defense. Job said of his three friends, “miserable comforters are you all”
(Job 16:2), Job proclaims where his deep strength flows from. (Job 19:25-27).
v. Even in the midst of God’s silence, his presence is with us. Job wrestled and wrestled
with God’s silence in the midst of his suffering. Over 25 times he asked the question

6
 “why” and he continually asked for the opportunity to defend his case before God.
Job had entered the fiery furnace of suffering (Job 23:10-12).
vi. Wisdom comes from fearing God and turning away from evil. Humility is key. Pride
can interfere with us following the wise ways of the Lord. And when pride interferes
it clouds our vision and before we know it- we are on the wrong path towards evil
(Job 28:28).
vii. God is with us in the midst of our storms. The Lord is our good shepherd and he never
leaves our side. He walks with us through the valleys, he restores our soul when we
are weary. He leads us to the path of righteousness when we have lost our way. He
gives us courage when we are scared and he comforts us when we are hurting. Our
God is the God of the storm.
viii. God is in control. God is the creator of the universe. He is might and powerful. We can
trust his with our lives. We see in Job chapter one that nothing came into the life of
Job which did not first go through the hands of his loving God. Every page of
scripture points to a sovereign God.
ix. After repentance and forgiveness comes blessings. In Job 43, Job made a burnt offering
for his friends and prayed for them as God commanded him to do. God accepted
Job’s prayer for them and then Job’s fortunes were restored when he prayed for his
friends.
x. Sometimes we sin against our friends. Job’s friends not only failed to be there for Job
in a supportive loving way but they gave poor advice based on their misunderstanding
of God.

LESSON THREE

Using five step method for studying Psalms identified in this lesson, do a study of Psalms
chapter one.

Method 1:

Psalms 1 is classified as a wisdom Psalm. Wisdom Psalms typically focuses on the importance of
living a righteous life according to God’s commands and the benefits of following God’s
wisdom. Psalms 1 contrasts the ways of the righteous with the ways of the wicked, emphasizing
the blessings that comes from delighting in God’s law and meditating on the day and night. It

7
serves as an introduction to the book of Psalms, setting the tones for the themes of righteousness,
wisdom and the consequences of one’s choices that are explored throughout the collection.
Psalm 1 is simply meditation. It’s the Psalmist thinking through something and expressing his
thoughts and feeling for us to read. And since its inspired perfect scripture, it gives us a model of
how we ought to think and whatever topic it’s speaking of.

Method 2:

In verse 2, the man “meditates on the Law of Yahweh day and night,” while in verse 6 “Yahweh
knows the way of the righteous.” It is only in these two verses we find reference to the axis of
thinking, elsewhere in the text action is expressed, the axis of movement. Note also that it is only
in these two verses that the name of Yahweh appears. Refers to the “day and night” reflection of
man as “cyclic” in the axis of temporarily. But this “day and night” also means moment after
moment. In other words, man reflects upon on event after another. God, on the other hand,
knows the “way” of the righteous. A “way” starts at one point and leads to another.
Consequently, God know the life of the just from the beginning to the end. While man has only
the ability to see the present moment, God knows the totality. He surpasses time and space. Our
own structural analysis of Psalm chapter one is anchored on the fact that it is possible to
distinguish between several levels within a text. The manifestation of a text is what appears on
its surface. But it is possible to go deeper into the text, into its immanence. In our structure we
speak about the surface structure, deeper one, the narrative and the discursive structures.

Method 3:

In Psalms chapter one, we have the following parallelism, this is the correspondence which
occurs between the phrases (also known as colon; the building block of a poem, the smallest
poetic unit that makes up a poetic line, plural cola; tow bi-colon, three; tri-colon) of a poetic line.
For example Psalms 1:1 states “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly,
nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful.”

Simile: Figure of speech that involves an explicit comparison using the word “like or as” for
example Psalms 1:3 – “He shall be like a tree planted ….”

Repetition for example the use of the word “ungodly” is repeated several times in the book of
Psalm chapter one.

8
Method 4:

God’s way is meant for our benefit and blessing. When we rebel, when we sin, or mock or go our
way, we will reap loss and death. To love God’s law, to know it and practice it leads us to
spiritual health and peace. God will judge all people and all actions in the end. The man who
seeks to be right with God is like a fruit tree growing by a stream healthy and strong whereas the
wicked man is compared to withering leaves and useless chaff blown away by the wind, for all
he does is ultimately meaningless and will fall away. The Psalms begin with an assertion, saying
how blessed is the man, then lists three different things that will cause the man to be blessed
(happy). These things include:

- Who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked

- Nor stand in the path of sinners
- Nor sit in the seat of scoffers.

In the Bible, God defines evil as going against his way. Sinners as those who choose evil over
good. Scoffers are those who mock the idea that someone else (God, for instance) knows what is
best for them other than themselves. Scoffers define truth for themselves. No one tells them what
to do. The way of God’s law is for people to love one another and care for others the same way
they care for themselves. This is the path to happiness and blessing. The way of the wickedness
is often through exploitation of others, abusing and misleading them to satisfy our own appetites.
When the way of wickedness does not involve abusing or exploiting others, it often involves
abusing or exploiting ourselves. The man who is “blessed” avoids following sinners. He does not
heed the counsel of the wicked.

Method 5:

i. Psalms is called a wisdom Psalms because we learn that happiness results from our
choice to follow God’s direction of life; this will help us to enjoy the life that God
wants us to enjoy while here on earth when applied fully.
ii. Happiness comes by choosing to walk on a righteous path. This determination is
directly connected to other people. Each line in this verse tells us to avoid the wrong
kinds of interpersonal relationships. Your friends makes all difference in your life.

9
 Choosing the righteous path includes refusing advice from those who holds godless
value and whose moral choices violate the laws of God.
iii. Psalms 1:2 declares that happiness comes from developing a strong appetite for God’s
word. We learn to enjoy Bible by nurturing the disciplined habit of meditation. This
means seeking to understand the Bible’s meaning as well as its application to us
personally. The spirit of God makes the word of God satisfying to the soul of man.
iv. Ungodliness will never, never prosper! In the end ungodly people’s lives are deemed as
“chaff”. In other words, they are worthless, lifeless, and useless. They will be driven
away by the wind of God’s judgment. They will not dwell with the people of God in
the congregation of the righteous.
v. A righteous life is one marked by confidence in the Lord, an honorable legacy, not
giving into fear bur rather keeping one’s trust in God, and being generous to those in
need.
vi. A righteous life is fruitful and prosperous. A righteous life will be productive and
flourishing. What a beautiful promise for those who follow the Lord. Life will surely
be full of many troubles and trials, but when we live how God wants us to live, we
will reap goodness and abundance.

LESSON FOUR

In at least three paragraphs, defend the following statement using support from the book of
Proverbs “Proverbs can be used as a moral code of ethics in any society.”

Proverbs are familiar statements that express well-known truths, social norms or moral concerns
in a metaphorical and easy-to-memorize structure. Reflecting the collective wisdom of social
groups, they serve as potent tools in oral communication, political rhetoric, advertising slogans
and any context where persuasion is paramount. Because Proverbs are so eat to understand and
efficiently communicate moral norms. This book contains a wealth of wisdom literature that
provides guidance on ethical living and moral conduct in any society. Some of the core ethical
teaching found in the book of Proverbs include:

i. Wisdom and knowledge: the book of Proverbs emphasize the importance of seeking
wisdom and knowledge. It encourages us to pursue understanding and insights in all
aspects of life (Proverbs 9:10).

10
 ii. Humility: Proverbs teaches the value of humility and warns against pride and
arrogance. It emphasizes the importance of being modest and respectful in one’s
interactions with others (Proverbs 22:4).
iii. Honesty and integrity – the book stresses the importance of honesty, integrity and
righteousness in all dealings. It encourages readers or the society to speak the truth,
act justly and avoid deceitful practices (Proverbs 12:22, Proverbs 24:12, Proverbs
11:3).
iv. Generosity and kindness: proverbs promotes the virtues of generosity, kindness and
compassion. It encourages us to help those in need and treat others with empathy and
respect (Proverbs 11:24-26, Proverbs 19:17).
v. Hard work and diligence – the book extols the virtue of handwork, diligence and
perseverance. It emphasizes the importance of being industrious and responsible in
one’s work and endeavors (Proverbs 14:23, Proverbs 21:25, Proverbs 10:4).
vi. Respect for authority- the book emphasizes the importance of respecting authority and
obeying laws and rules. It encourages us to honor and obey those in positions of
authority (Proverbs 29:2).

LESSON FIVE

Quiz 1: in which ways can the book of Song of Songs be used in pre-marital and marriage
counseling

i. Love is pure.
- Song of Solomon 2:7, 2:16. The bride in song of Solomon urgently refrains
throughout the book to “not stir up love until it pleases”, teaching that true love is
not rushed or fabricated, but is a result of patience. Saying this as a plea to other
young ladies, the woman explains that here rich relationship came about and is
preserved through patient purity. Romance should not be sought loosely, but
rather waited for and arranged carefully, otherwise it will fall short of its real
beauty and blessings. From its beginning onward, romantic love is best
experienced through a commitment to one and one alone. The security and
sacredness that can be fostered within marriage cannot be found elsewhere.
Singles should take her wise words to heart, knowing that godly love is worth the

11
 wait. Married people should treasure the exclusivity of their bond, knowing that
this precious “belonging” to one another is the best soil to reap meaningful
romance.
ii. Love is pursuit.
- A common theme within Song of Songs is seeking. The husband and wife each
have to strive to discover and enjoy each other. From this we see love is active; an
attitude to serve rather than be served. In one poignant piece of the book we see a
realistic rift happen, in which the woman brushes away her husband’s advances
with some excuses (Song of Solomon 5:2-3). By the time she overcomes her
hesitation she realizes she is too late, he has left the door. Rather than becomes
resentful or just regretful she instead pursues reconciliation, going to search for
him (verse 6 and 8). Although much of Song of Songs seems rainbow and
butterflies, in this heart-wrenching moment we see that love takes work – a
seeking to be “one” even when there are hiccups.
iii. Love is protected
- Songs of Solomon 2:15. In a similar vein, love not only involves pursuing the
other but a faithful pursuing of sin and temptation. With the vineyard being a
symbol of their relationship, the “foxes” are anything that could hinder the growth
and vibrancy of their love. Whether its lies, neglect, miscommunication or eyes
on others outside the marriage, the foxes Satan uses to weaken marriages are
many! This woman determines to spot and remove them before any serious
damage is done. So love takes a vigilance of heart. It about guarding one’s
thoughts and actions in order to build up our husband, and remember that love
“bears things, believes all things, hopes all things …”
iv. Love is persevering
- Songs of Solomon 8:6. This seal shouts of permanence! God-ordained love never
dies but instead equals death in its power. Faithful marital love reflects the very
glory of the Lord who fights for his people with unfailing intensity. Even when
our marriages appear mundane or monotonous, we remember that they are a
testimony of the greatest nature holding the potential to be a vivid, tangible

12
 picture of Christ’s sacrifice. Our love shines brightest, as bright as flashes of
lightening. When we hold fast to it no matter the storm that come.
v. Love is passionate
- Song of Solomon 5:10. Song of Solon paints with lovely imagery the blessing of
physical intimacy for both the wife and husband. One characteristics of this
passion and pleasure is praise. Repeatedly the couple shores compliments with
one another, fueling their mutual desire and affirming their commitment. How
often do we go through a day without saying a word of kindness or attraction to
our spouse? While our skin may wrinkle over time, our delight does not have to.
In opposition to our words, obsession with youth with each day and every year we
can attest the beauty goes deeper than the eye. We can always pause to admire
and express thanksgiving for the sweet features both exterior and interior we see
in our loved ones.

Quiz 2: how can you use the book of Ecclesiastes to inject hope to someone on the verge of
committing suicide out of what they see to be the meaninglessness of life.

We all desire meaning in life. Often that search takes us long winding up-and-down paths filled
with bursts of satisfaction that shine bright for a time but eventually fade. In one sense, it’s
satisfying to see that experience echoed throughout Ecclesiastes. An appreciation for our
common humanity emerges from reading its pages. We relate to the journey of Solomon because
for so many of us it is our own. When we attempt to find meaning in the pursuit of pleasure, the
commitment to a job, or through plumbing intellectual depths, we all eventually find in each of
these pursuits a dead end.

Ecclesiastes shows us a man who lived through this process and came out on the other side with
a wiser, more seasoned perspective. When we are surrounded by the temptation to proclaim life’s
ultimate emptiness, we can find in Ecclesiastes a vision tempered by experience and ultimately
seen through divinely colored lenses. Life is destined to remain unsatisfying part from our
recognition of God’s intervention. It only remains to be seen whether or not we will place our
trust in his sure and able hands. The book of Ecclesiastes is unique and provocative as it states
powerfully and repeatedly that everything is meaningless (vanity) without a proper focus on
God.

13
The book reveals the necessity of fearing God in a fallen and frequently confusing and
frustrating world. The author explains the cycle of life, noting how each generation will come
and go, striving and seeking meaning and purpose, but die all the same not even leaving behind a
lasting memory (Ecclesiastes 1:11). The author proceeds to detail his vast wealth and pursuits for
pleasure and meaning, describing how nothing was outside his access or ability and yet he
concludes this pursuit by words in Ecclesiastes 2:22-23. If all of life is meaningless and we
simply strive to suffer and struggle each day, what is the point? Where is our hope and purpose
to be found in life if ultimately life is meaningless? There seems to be no hope in life. If this
were the meaning of vanity, life would be meaningless but the preachers in instead explaining a
critical truth that one has yet to grasp these thousands of years later. Vanity does not refer to
absolute meaninglessness but a cyclical repetitiveness.

Our experience of life is such a small slice across all of human history, the value of our
contribution and purpose for living get lost in the broader scope without an anchor for context for
the bigger plan across time. Hope is found in the meaning and purpose God provides to correct
us to his story as integral player for his purpose and glory. The theme of Ecclesiastes is that life
is short, death is certain and seeking meaning a part from God is like attempting to grasp the
wind or wrangle vapor. Meaning not something we can control. Hope is found in the meaning
and purpose provided as free gift in love from God through his son.

14