What if five seemingly unrelated books of the Bible were actually part of a forgotten collection? In this introductory episode to our new series on the Megilloth (the Five Scrolls), Leo and Molly explore one of the Bible’s most overlooked groupings: Ruth, Esther, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs and Lamentations. Why were these books collected together? What can we learn from reading them as a collection rather than simply as individual books? And what happens if the category of “wisdom literature” isn’t quite as straightforward as we’ve often assumed?
Together, Leo and Molly discuss the Jewish ordering of the Old Testament, the origins of the Five Scrolls, the dangers of over-reading connections between books, and some surprising themes that appear to unite this remarkable collection. Most importantly, they ask whether all five books might be wrestling with the same question: When God’s promises seem distant, is he still worth trusting?
Questions answered in this episode -What are the Megilloth, or Five Scrolls?
-Why are the Five Scrolls grouped together in the Jewish Scriptures?
-Does “wisdom literature” really exist as a biblical category?
-Are there common themes running through Ruth, Esther, Ecclesiastes, Song of Songs and Lamentations?
-How do these books help God’s people trust him when life seems confusing or disappointing?
