Paul McKenzie

Memory Verse, Tuesday, January 13 Poetry/Wisdom

Law, History, POETRY/WISDOM/Prophets

From the "handful" (5) Law books and the "dozen" History books, we move to a "handful" of books called the "POETRY/WISDOM" books. This consists of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon.

They are assembled from the earliest writer to the latest.

"Job" is considered the earliest book in the Bible other than Genesis, because there is nothing about the Mosaic Law in it. Many believe it was "Pre-Law".

"Psalms" is attributed to David, though he is credited with authoring just under half of them. It is like a "choir" book, actually a volume of five books.

The last three were attributed to David's son, King Solomon: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon, also called the "Song of Songs" by some.

So, we've got Three sets of Kings followed by Three "Poets", if you like, with King Solomon finishing it off with the last Three books of Poetry/Wisdom. Remember "JP-PES"

So, let's make a quick review, because repetition will seal this order into your memory banks:

Law, History, Poetry/Wisdom: 5-12-5:

LAW: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy (GELND)

HISTORY: 3-6-3, Pre-Pair-Post Kings: Joshua, Judges, Ruth; 1&2 Samuel, Kings, Chronicles; and Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther. (JoshJr "Skcene")

POETRY/WISDOM: Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon. (JP-PES)

I made a board game for the Old Testament, where I make blank spaces in a series of 5-12-5-5-12 that fit 2" by 2" cards that I cut out of 4x6" index cards. I write the book on one side of each card, and "Old Testament" on the other side. Then I simply shuffle the cards up and see how fast I can place them in their right spots, in and out of order. I put a picture of it below.

I start first with just the Law until mastered. Then I add the Histories, then the Poetry/Wisdom, then the Major Prophets and finally the Minor Prophets. I do this with anyone who can read, from reading 4-year-olds to 94-year-olds. After about a half-hour, everyone who plays this "Bible Solitaire" is able to put all 39 books in their right spots, in and out of order.

This is a great family tool you can do during your devotions. Have your children make the game with you and have "contests" if you like. They love it!

And by the way, you don't really need a board. You can just have a paper displaying the board and work the cards next to it. Soon you can do away with the sheet, and play without it. And at bedtime, you can play it in your head without the cards!

You can start now, working with everything but the Prophets. I left a link of a board below.

Today if you hear His voice, harden not your heart.

Memory Helps:
REVIEW!

Re-read the devotional a few times, and you'll get the book order you know so far mastered. Then, consider making your own board game!