The Books of Wisdom document discusses 6 wisdom books from centuries before Jesus: Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, Sirach, Wisdom, and Song of Songs. These books provide guidance on virtuous living and dealing with suffering. They show that rewards may come after life, not in this life, and emphasize finding wisdom in God's teachings and commandments. Stories like Tobit, Judith, and Esther were meant to inspire courage and faith in times of trial by showing how faith and goodness can overcome hardship.

1. The Books of Wisdom By: Sinead Mohan, Gabby Boscanio, Shannen Leahy, Mary Kearney, CiaraMacCormack, and Andrei Radu

2. Centuries Before the Birth of Jesus People of Israel were under foreign domination. Dispersion Jews were controlled by major empires.

3. The 6 Wisdom Books Proverbs Job Ecclesiastes Sirach Wisdom Song of Songs

4. Proverbs Babylonian Exile How to live a good life Parenting Communication Attitudes Manners at Court Work Conducting business Reputation Leadership Gossip Learning Relationships with neighbors

5. Proverbs continued Success and prosperity, rightly gained, are the reward for a virtuous life. Chapters 8 and 9: wisdom is portrayed poetically as a women. Wisdom’s Feminine voice Lady Sophia

6. Job Problem of evil World’s greatest literary treasures Man loses everything Job then wants to know Why? God speaks to Job The “answer” Christians believe that all suffering is the consequence of original sin. Suffering is a punishment from God and prosperity is a sign of God’s approval. The Message of the book of Job Even in the darkest moments, God is in charge, loving and caring for us through it all.

7. Ecclesiastes Author of Ecclesiastes Known for Pessimistic outlook on life

8. Wisdom Author He refused to accept the conventional wisdom that God rewards goodness and punishes sin in this life. The answer Rewards and punishments will not necessarily come in this life. Death is not the end of us our destiny is life forever with God. Final Judgment The wicked will see their wealth and success are not rewardable in the arithmetic of eternal life. After life When physical life ended, there was no way for a person to live on except in people’s memories. But the Greeks introduced the concepts of body and soul to Judaism.

9. Sirach Jesus benSirach Book of Sirach Depicts wisdom as a woman who was with God at Creation. Concerned with the history of Israel, its heroes, and its institutions. Wisdom Is found specifically in the teaching of Israel as given by God, and keeping the Commandments is the way to wisdom.

10. The Song of Songs The Song of Songs Differs from the others in theme and concern. Collection of love poems written by unknown authors sometime after the Babylonian Exile. Jews and Christians Recognized that God designed human love as a powerful and holy bond. Human love is good and a gift from God.

11. Stories of Encouragement: Faith and Goodness Triumph Tobit, Judith, and Esther, and Jonah Meant to inspire courage and faith in times of trial. Book of Tobit Is a wisdom tale about a noble and faithful elder who remains steadfast in the face of personal disaster. Book of Judith Tells of a courageous woman who defies all the stereotypical notions of “how women are supposed to be.” Saving her people from the Assyrian army with wit and wisdom has made Judith a favorite hero for many. Book of Esther Is about a naturally timid woman who risks her life to save her people from a wicked schemer who plans to slay them.

12. Stories of Encouragement: Faith and Goodness Triumph Book of Esther Is about a naturally timid woman who risks her life to save her people from a wicked schemer who plans to slay them. Book of Jonah Lesson: God’s love and mercy reach far and wide across cultural and religious boundaries.

13. Tobit: The Faithful Jew Book of Tobit: Written by an unknown author about 200 BC, to encourage faithful Jews to be righteous and patient during the difficult period of Greek oppression. The story is of a good, faithful Jew, Tobit, and his family. The rewards of faith Reminds us that in the end, faithful goodness and trust in God are rewarded with blessings.

14. Judith: Courage and Piety Author Palestine Jew who wrote sometime after 150 BC. The story is set in the Persian period. Was trying to emphasize that she trusted completely in God and as she used her considerable wits and charms Judith Was a model of faith and courage, and that was what the Jews of that time needed. Trust in God, not human schemes Judith trusted in God and thus won the victory for her people.

15. Esther: A timid but heroic Queen Two purposes To praise the goodness of God To explain the origin of the feast called Purim The festival Celebrates the triumph of the lovely Queen Esther over the villain Haman Around 485 - 464

16. Jonah: A parable of Mercy The Book of Jonah Uses some humorous satire to make its serious point that God’s mercy extends to all not just to the insiders Is fictional The author is unknown Written in the 5th century BC Reminds us that no one is beyond Gods reach Jonah Is swallowed by a fish in whose belly he remains for three days and for three nights until the fish belches him up on shore

17. Wisdom and Virtue for Then and Now Books of Tobit, Judith, Esther and Jonah Are like responses to the issues facing Judaism in those late centuries. They all speak just as powerfully to Christians today who are trying to live faithful lives in a society. The Virtues these stories encourage are: Geneoristy Faithfulneese Trust Steadfastness Piety Heroic Courage Humility Simplicity Mercy