More than A Collection of Books 3

In Ezra is the account of King Cyrus’ decree

To build a house for God at Jerusalem

Fulfilling the utterance of Jeremiah’s prophecy

Of the return of the exiles from Babylon.

Nehemiah highlights the rebuilding of the wall

And the registration of Jerusalem’s population,

The religion of Jerusalem is revitalized

As it undergoes a complete reformation.

Esther highlights an historic segment of the Jews

Found no where else in all of Scripture,

Her coming to the kingdom for God’s unique purpose

Improves the Jews’ lot and radically changes the picture.

Job presents a tutorial in patient endurance

As he contends with his friends about his affliction,

Ignorant of God’s permission for Satan to test him

The experience gave him a Divine education.

The Psalms are often called the Psalms of David

But only seventy-three are considered Davidic,

The book may be divided into classifications

Which include History, Prophecy and the Messianic.

Proverbs differentiates between wisdom and folly,

It distinguishes the fool from the wise,

Its wise sayings came from God through Solomon

And such wise counsel we should never despise.

Ecclesiastes highlights the many vanities of life

And supplies instruction for living under the sun,

The foolish have their way and so too the wise

But the wise will be the victor when life’s day is done.

The Song of Solomon is the most exquisite song

And its refrain resounds with the theme of love,

It is said to represent Christ’s love for his church

Though preceding the time of his coming from above.

Stewart Russell © March 2017

The Bible in Poetry: Job to Ecclesiastes

Extracted from the Bible In Poetry

From Genesis to Revelation

 
Job

Job was an upright man according to the Father’s view,

He was known to fear God and all evil he eschewed;

Satan hatched an evil scheme to prove God incorrect

If he should lose his riches even God he would reject.

Well God had given permission for Satan to attack

He did his very worse to move Job from God’s track;

His property and children taken yet Job kept his cool

And at his wife’s chiding he said she spoke as a fool.

  

Three of his friends on hearing came to counsel Job

But criticized him the more and just added to his load;

So ridiculed and scorned in sackcloth and ash he lay

Cognizant of the fact that God gives and takes away.

But God had restored to Job all that Satan had taken

Then rebuked his friends for the counsel they had given;

Job had not sinned although he pleaded his innocence,

In all the trials confronted he clearly showed his patience.

The Psalms

Blessed is the man that delights in the law of the Lord

Whatever he does will prosper according to the word;

The ungodly are not so but like chaff are blown away

They like all sinners will perish on that judgment day.

The Lord is that shepherd that looks after His flock,

His eyes run to and fro and he is always taking stock;

Even among their enemies he still supplies food

And he knows each by name not one would he exclude.

Make a joyful noise raise a standard in His name,

Serve him with gladness and lift the joyous refrain;

For the Lord is good and He’s greatly to be praised

His works are wondrous; His people are amazed.

Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?

By taking heed to God’s word each and every day;

Feeding on His word he will not sin in his heart

And walking with God nothing will keep them apart.

Words of Wisdom

The Proverbs of Solomon, son of David the King

Speak to all life’s issues, yes, each and everything;

To know wisdom and instruction, justice and equity,

Thus avoid the schemes of them that plan secretly.

Ecclesiastes

There is a time to be born and there is a time to die.

There is a time to make peace and a time to defy;

There is a season for everything that’s under the sun, 

It flourishes for a while and then after that, it’s done.

Stewart Russell © 2013