Part 16 (1/2)
The story of Moses the Deliverer may be introduced by reading from the Bible the account of the finding of the baby by the princess, and his adoption. Tell of his later history and his resolution to be the leader of his people, and read of the pa.s.sage of the Red Sea, and Miriam's Song of Triumph. Follow by descriptions of episodes of special interest in the wanderings in the desert, the golden calf, the story of Korah and that of Balaam.
One paper should take Moses as a Lawgiver for its subject, with a brief outline of the remarkable Hebrew legislation; notice that this was what kept the Jews as a separate race. Have an estimate of Moses, comparing him with other great national leaders. Show a picture of Michael Angelo's statue; have recited the farewell of Moses to his people, given in Monitors ”Modern Reader's Bible,” in poetical form. The old poem ”The Burial of Moses,” by Cecil F. Alexander, in Warner's ”Library of the World's Best Literature,” may also be given.
Next will come the study of Joshua the Conqueror. At this meeting have a map of Palestine and use it to show the settling of the Hebrews in the land. Read the story of the expedition of the spies and its result, the siege of Jericho and, last, Joshua's farewell. Compare Moses and Joshua, and show the differences in their character and work.
III--THE HEROES
The hero stories of the nation come in at this point. Deborah and Sisera is a subject often used in poetry and painting, and the song of Deborah, one of the earliest pieces of verse in history, should be given. The story of Gideon, full of picturesque detail, and the pathetic story of Jephthah's daughter may be read, as well as the many references to the latter in literature. The curious story of Samson will follow this, and Milton's Samson Agonistes may be read in part. Close the study of the period with a reading of the entire book of Ruth, one of the most charming of Oriental idyls.
At the meeting following this last one, compare the Bible heroes with those of other nations of the same time, particularly those described by Homer. Bulfinch's ”Age of Fable” may be used as a basis for the study.
IV--THE UNDIVIDED KINGDOM
This is one of the historical sections of the Bible, and is mostly in prose. In studying it a good plan is to have some one write a paper briefly outlining the period and giving the main events clearly. Then the different men of importance should have separate studies. One of the first is that of Saul, and at its beginning comes in the lovely little story of Samuel, which may be read, together with the short Song of Hannah.
The account of the anointing of Saul may be given, and in this connection note that the old custom is still in use to-day in the coronation of kings. Have a reading from Browning's ”Saul” and discuss the two points of view.
Next will come the story of David and Goliath, the anointing of David, the feud between Saul and David and the idyllic story of the affection of David and Jonathan. Brief readings from all of these should ill.u.s.trate the papers or talks upon them. Notice the other famous friends.h.i.+ps in history, and compare them with that of the two Hebrews.
The subject of witchcraft may be briefly touched upon in connection with the old story of the Witch of Endor, and its singular persistence through the history of all nations down to the present time.
David's lament over Saul and Jonathan should be read and compared with other elegies, and also that over the death of Absalom; notice the difference in spirit between them.
The life of Solomon is full of unusual touches. Read his dream, the story of the judgment about the infant, and then the majestic dedication of the Temple, the last, one of the stately pieces of literature of the Bible. The visit of the Queen of Sheba may be read after this, and the allusions to it in literature noted.
V--THE DIVIDED KINGDOMS AND THE EXILE
The divided kingdoms furnish many episodes of literary value. The stories of Elijah and Elisha have a marked dramatic quality; the incident of Naaman and Gehazi is a bit of romance; the fall of Samaria is a tragedy, as is the fall of Jerusalem, about one hundred and fifty years later. There is a bit of interesting work which some clubs might like to undertake, the comparison of the literary style of Kings and Chronicles, one colored by the prophetic and the other by priestly ideas.
The subject of the Exile may be used in one meeting, as it relates itself to a considerable part of Hebrew literature, especially in poetry. One prose pa.s.sage may be read, the brief book of Esther, which has always been of great importance to the Jews, and full of interest.
VI--HEBREW POETRY
This has no regular rhyme, nor is it divided into feet like the cla.s.sical poems of Greece and Rome. Instead it has a certain stately sweep, a rhythm, which is the very essence of poetry. In structure it may be compared to Walt Whitman's rhythmical prose.
As the stage was unknown to the Hebrews, the drama was strange to them also. The book of Job is the princ.i.p.al poetic exception to this, although some authorities place the Song of Solomon as a versified drama also. Observe here the difference between the Hebrews and Greeks, and give reasons for it.
Occasional bits of ancient folk song may be found in the historical parts of the Bible: read the ”Song of the Well” (Numbers xxi, 18), the ”Song of Lamech” (Genesis IV, 23) and the ”Song of the Bow” (II Samuel, I, 18-27). The riddles of Samson also come under the head of folk song.
The poetry of the Bible divides into two cla.s.ses: lyrical poetry, such as the Song of Solomon, Lamentations, the Psalms, and certain pa.s.sages in the prophets; and the so-called wisdom poetry--Proverbs, Job, and Ecclesiastes. The latter, however, come more properly under the head of philosophy. Notice one of the peculiarities of Hebrew verse, especially in this last division, the curious parallelism which is constantly found.
The extent of the book of Psalms is so great that selections are difficult to make. But by taking Moulton's ”Modern Reader's Bible”
(Macmillan & Co.), and Courtney's ”The Literary Man's Bible” (Crowell), and Henry Van d.y.k.e's ”Story of the Psalms” (Scribner), the best will be found, and these should be read. Notice especially the wonderful imagery, so characteristic of the Oriental mind.
Many great poets have worked on the book of Psalms, trying to make transcriptions and translations, and it will be most interesting to look up some of them. Clement Marot, Martin Luther, Milton, Addison, Sir Philip Sidney, and many others have used them, and any hymn book will show how many familiar hymns are based on them. Programs might be illuminated by choir music, such as ”Had I the Wings of a Dove,” ”How Lovely are Thy Dwellings Fair,” ”The King of Love My Shepherd Is,” and a hundred other lovely songs, the themes all taken from Psalms.
VII--PROPHECY