Julissa Epp

Mr. Holden

Old Testament Survey

November 23, 2023

Inductive Study Questions

6. Proverbs: Track what the book of Proverbs has to say about our speech.

Put away from you a deceitful mouth and put devious speech far from you. (4:24)

That you may observe discretion and your lips may reserve knowledge. (5:2)

If you have been snared with the words of your mouth, have been caught with the words of your

mouth… (6:2)

A worthless person, a wicked man, is one who walks with a perverse mouth… (6:12)

The fear of the Lord is to hate evil; pride and arrogance and the evil way and the perverted

mouth, I hate. (8:13)

If you are wise, you are wise for yourself, and if you scoff, you alone will bear it. (9:12)

Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. (10:6)

He who winks the eye causes trouble, and a babbling fool will be ruined. The mouth of the

righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence. (10:10-11)

On the lips of the discerning, wisdom is found, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks

understanding. Wise men store up knowledge, but with the mouth of the foolish, ruin is at hand.

(10:13-14)

He who conceals hatred has lying lips, and he who spreads slander is a fool. When there are

many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise. The tongue of
the righteous is as choice silver, the heart of the wicked is worth little. The lips of the righteous

feed many, but fools die for lack of understanding. (10:18-21)

The mouth of the righteous flows with wisdom, but the perverted tongue will be cut out. The lips

of the righteous bring forth what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverted.

(10:31-32)

With his mouth the godless man destroys his neighbor, but through knowledge the righteous will

be delivered. (11:9)

By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down.

He who despises his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding keeps silent. He who goes

about as a talebearer reveals secrets, but one who is trustworthy conceals a matter. (11:11-13)

The thoughts of the righteous are just, but the counsels of the wicked are deceitful. The words of

the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright will deliver them. (12:6)

An evil man is ensnared by the transgression of his lips, but the righteous will escape from

trouble. A man will be satisfied with good by the fruit of his words, and the deeds of a man’s

hands will return to him. (12:13-14)

He who speaks truth tells what is right, but a false witness, deceit. There is one who speaks

rashly like the thrusts of a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips will be

established forever, but a lying tongue is only for a moment. (12:17-19)

Lying lips are an abomination to the Lord, but those who deal faithfully are His delight. (12:22)

Anxiety in a man’s heart weighs it down, but a good word makes it glad. (12:25)

From the fruit of a man’s mouth, he enjoys good, but the desire of the treacherous is violence.

The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; The one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

(13:2-3)
In the mouth of the foolish is a rod for his back, but the lips of the wise will protect them. (14:3)

A trustworthy witness will not lie, but a false witness utters lies. (14:5)

Leave the presence of a fool, or you will not discern words of knowledge. (14:7)

In all labor there is profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty. (14:23)

A truthful witness saves lives, but he who utters lies is treacherous. (14:25)

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. The tongue of the wise makes

knowledge acceptable, but the mouth of fools spouts folly. (15:1-2)

A soothing tongue is a tree of life, but perversion in it crushes the spirit. (15:4)

The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools are not so. (15:7)

The mind of the intelligent seeks knowledge, but the mouth of fools feeds on folly. (15:14)

Evil plans are an abomination to the Lord, but pleasant words are pure. (15:26)

The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil

things. (15:28)

The plans of the heart belong to a man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. (16:1)

A divine decision is in the lips of the king; His mouth should not err in judgment. (16:10)

Righteous lips are the delight of kings, and one who speaks right is loved. (16:13)

The wise in heart will be called understanding, and sweetness of speech

increases persuasiveness. (16:21)

The heart of the wise instructs his mouth and adds persuasiveness to his lips. Pleasant words are

a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. (16:23-24)

A worthless man digs up evil, while his words are like scorching fire. A perverse man spreads

strife, and a slanderer separates intimate friends. (16:27-28)

He who winks his eyes does so to devise perverse things; He who compresses his lips brings evil

to pass. (16:30)

An evildoer listens to wicked lips; A liar pays attention to a destructive tongue. He who mocks

the poor taunts his Maker; He who rejoices at calamity will not go unpunished. (17:4-5)

Excellent speech is not fitting for a fool, much less are lying lips to a prince. (17:7)

He who has a crooked mind finds no good, and he who is perverted in his language falls into

evil. (17:20)

He who restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of

understanding. Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; When he closes his lips, he

is considered prudent. (17:27-28)

He who separates himself seeks his own desire; He quarrels against all sound wisdom. (18:1)

When a wicked man comes, contempt also comes, and with dishonor comes scorn. The words of

a man’s mouth are deep waters; The fountain of wisdom is a bubbling brook. (18:3-4)

A fool’s lips bring strife, and his mouth calls for blows. A fool’s mouth is his ruin, and his lips

are the snare of his soul. The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, and they go down into

the innermost parts of the body. (18:6-8)

He who gives an answer before he hears, it is folly and shame to him. (18:13)

With the fruit of a man’s mouth his stomach will be satisfied; He will be satisfied with the

product of his lips. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat

its fruit. (18:20-21)

The poor man utters supplications, but a rich man answers roughly. A man of too

many friends comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. (18:23-24)

A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who tells lies will not escape. (19:5)
All the brothers of a poor man hate him; How much more do his friends abandon him! He

pursues them with words, but they are gone. (19:7)

A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who tells lies will perish. (19:9)

Cease listening, my son, to discipline, and you will stray from the words of knowledge. A

rascally witness makes a mockery of justice, and the mouth of the wicked spreads iniquity.

(19:27-28)

There is gold, and an abundance of jewels; but the lips of knowledge are a more precious thing.

(20:15)

Bread obtained by falsehood is sweet to a man, but afterward his mouth will be filled with

gravel. (20:17)

Do not say, “I will repay evil”; Wait for the Lord, and He will save you. (20:22)

It is a trap for a man to say rashly, “It is holy!” and after the vows to make inquiry. (20:25)

He who guards his mouth and his tongue, guards his soul from troubles. (21:23)

A false witness will perish, but a man who listens to the truth will speak forever. (21:28)

He who loves purity of heart and whose speech is gracious, the king is his friend. The eyes of the

Lord preserves knowledge, but He overthrows the words of the treacherous man. (22:12-13)

For it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, that they may be ready on your lips. (22:18)

Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words. (23:9)

And my inrmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right. (23:16)

Do not be envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them; For their minds devise violence,

and their lips talk of trouble. (24:1-2)

Wisdom is too exalted for a fool, he does not open his mouth in the gate. (24:7)

He kisses the lips who gives a right asnwer. (24:26)

Do not be a witness against your neighbor for no reason, and do not deceive with your lips.

(24:28)

Do not go out hastily to argue your case; Otherwise, what will you do in the end, when your

neighbor humiliates you? Argue your case with your neighbor, and do not reveal the secret of

another…(25:8-9)

Like apples of gold in settings of silver, is a word spoken in right circumstances. Like an earring

of gold and an ornament of fine gold, is a wise reprover to a listening ear. Like the cold of snow

in the time of harvest is a faithful messenger to those who send him, for he refreshes the soul of

his masters. Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of his gifts falsely. By

forebearance a ruler may be persuaded, and a soft tongue breaks the bone. (25:11-15)

Like a club and a sword and a sharp arrow is a man who bears false witness against his neighbor.

(25:18)

The north wind brings forth rain, and a backbiting tongue, an angry countenance. (25:23)

Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will also be like him. Answer a fool as his

folly deserves, that he will not be wise in his own eyes. (26:4-5)

Like the legs which are useless to the lame, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools. (26:7)

Like a thorn which falls into the hand of a drunkard, so is a proverb in the mouth of fools. (26:9)

For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down.

(26:20)

The words of a whisperer are like dainty morsels, and they go down into the innermost parts of

the body. Like an earthen vessel overlaid with silver dross are burning lips and a wicked heart.

He who hates disguises it with his lips, but he lays up deceit in his heart. When he speaks

graciously, do not believe him, for there are seven abominations in his heart. (36:22-25)
A lying tongue hates those it crushes, and a flattering mouth works ruin. (26:28)

Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth. Let another

praise you, and not your own mouth; A stranger, and not your own lips. (27:1-2)

Better is open rebuke than love that is concealed. (27:5)

Oil and perfume make the heart glad, so a man’s counsel is sweet to his friend. (27:9)

He who blesses his friend with a loud voice early in the morning, it will be reckoned a curse to

him. (27:14)

He who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than he who flatters with the tongue.

(28:23)

A man who flatters his neighbor is spreading a net for his steps. (29:5)

Scorners set a city aflame, but wise men turn away anger. (29:8)

A slave will not be instructed by words alone; for though he understands, there will be no

response. Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for

him. (29:19-20)

Do not add to His words or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar. (30:6)

That I not be full and deny You and say, “Who is the Lord?” or that I not be in want and steal,

And profane the name of my God. Do not slander a slave to his master, or he will curse you and

you will be found guilty. There is a kind of man who curses his father and does not bless his

mother. (30:9-11)

If you have been foolish in exalting yourself or if you have plotted evil, put your hand on your

mouth. (30:32)

Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all the unfortunate. Open your mouth, judge

righteously, and defend the rights of the afflicted and needy. (31:8-9)
She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. (31:26)

7. Ecclesiastes: From the book of Ecclesiastes, track the word ‘vanity’ and ‘futility’ (Added

futility since it is used in a similar manner and context as vanity and has a very similar meaning).

“Vanity of vanities!” says the Preacher, “vanity of vanities! All is vanity.” (1:2)

I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and

striving after wind. (1:12)

I said to myself, “Come now, I will test you with pleasure. So enjoy yourself.” And behold, it too

was futility. (2:1)

Then I said to myself, “As is the fate of the fool, it will also befall me. Why then have I been

extremely wise?” So I said to myself, “This too is vanity.” (2:15)

And who knows whether he will be a wise man or a fool? Yet he will have control over all the

fruit of my labor for which I have labored under the sun. This too is vanity. (2:17)

When there is a man who has labored with wisdom, knowledge and skill, then he gives his

legacy to one who has not labored with them. This too is vanity and a great evil. (2:21)

Because all his days his task is painful and grievous; even at night his mind does not rest. This

too is vanity. (2:23)

For to a person who is good in His sight He has given wisdom and knowledge and joy, while to

the sinner He has given the task of gathering and collecting so that he may give to one who is

good in God’s sight. This too is vanity and striving after wind. (2:26)

For the fate of the sons of men and the fate of beasts is the same. As one dies so dies the other;

indeed, they all have the same breath and there is no advantage for man over beast, for all is

vanity. (3:19)
I have seen that every labor and every skill which is done is the result of rivalry between a man

and his neighbor. This too is vanity and striving after wind. (4:4)

Then I looked again at the vanity under the sun. (4:7)

There is no end to all the people, to all who were before them, and even the ones who will come

later will not be happy with him, for this too is vanity and striving after wind. (4:16)

He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves abundance with its

income. This too is vanity. (5:10)

a man to whom God has given riches and wealth and honor so that his soul lacks nothing of all

that he desires; yet God has not empowered him to eat from them, for a foreigner enjoys them.

This is vanity and a severe affliction. (6:2)

for it comes in futility and goes into obscurity; and its name is covered in obscurity. (6:4)

What the eyes see is better than what the soul desires. This too is futility and a striving after

wind. (6:9)

For there are many words which increase futility. What then is the advantage to a man? (6:11)

For as the crackling of thorn bushes under a pot, so is the laughter of the fool; And this too is

futility. (7:6)

I have seen everything during my lifetime of futility; there is a righteous man who perishes in his

righteousness and there is a wicked man who prolongs his life in his wickedness. (7:15)

So then, I have seen the wicked buried, those who used to go in and out from the holy place, and

they are soon forgotten in the city where they did thus. This too is futility. (8:10)

There is futility which is done on the earth, that is, there are righteous men to whom it happens

according to the deeds of the wicked. On the other hand, there are evil men to whom it happens

according to the deeds of the righteous. I say that this too is futility. (8:14)
Indeed, if a man should live many years, let him rejoice in them all, and let him remember the

days of darkness, for they will be many. Everything that is to come will be futility. (11:8)

“Vanity of vanities!” says the Preacher, “all is vanity!” (12:8)

8. Daniel: Track and list the various titles and names for God in the book of Daniel.

The Lord gave Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the vessels of the

house of God; and he brought them to the land of Shinar, to the house of his god, and he brought

the vessels into the treasury of his god. (1:2)

Now God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the commander of the

officials…(1:9)

As for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and intelligence in every branch of literature

and wisdom; Daniel even understood all kinds of visions and dreams. (1:17)

Then the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of

heaven; Daniel said, “Let the name of God be blessed forever and ever, for wisdom and power

belong to Him. (2:19-20)

To You, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for You have given me wisdom and

power; Even now You have made known to me what we requested of You, for You have made

known to us the king’s matter.” (2:23)

However, there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries, and He has made known to King

Nebuchadnezzar what will take place in the latter days. This was your dream and the visions in

your mind while on your bed. (2:28)

You, O king, are the king of kings, to whom the God of heaven has given the kingdom, the

power, the strength and the glory… (2:37)

In the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which will never be

destroyed, and that kingdom will not be left for another people; it will crush and put an end to all

these kingdoms, but it will itself endure forever. Inasmuch as you saw that a stone was cut out of

the mountain without hands and that it crushed the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver and the

gold, the great God has made known to the king what will take place in the future; so the dream

is true and its interpretation is trustworthy.” (2:44-45)

The king answered Daniel and said, “Surely your God is a God of gods and a Lord of kings and a

revealer of mysteries, since you have been able to reveal this mystery.” (2:47)

If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire; and He

will deliver us out of your hand, O king. (3:17)

Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the door of the furnace of blazing fire; he responded and

said, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego, come out, you servants of the Most High God, and

come here!” Then Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego came out of the midst of the fire. (3:26)

Nebuchadnezzar responded and said, “Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-

nego, who has sent His angel and delivered His servants who put their trust in Him, violating the

king’s command, and yielded up their bodies so as not to serve or worship any god except their

own God. Therefore, I make a decree that any people, nation or tongue that speaks anything

offensive against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego shall be torn limb from limb and

their houses reduced to a rubbish heap, inasmuch as there is no other god who is able to deliver

in this way.” (3:28)

It has seemed good to me to declare the signs and wonders which the Most High God has done

for me. (4:2)

This is the interpretation, O king, and this is the decree of the Most High, which has come upon

my lord the king: that you be driven away from mankind and your dwelling place be with the

beasts of the field, and you be given grass to eat like cattle and be drenched with the dew of

heaven; and seven periods of time will pass over you, until you recognize that the Most High is

ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whomever He wishes. (4:24-25)

and you will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling place will be with the beasts of

the field. You will be given grass to eat like cattle, and seven periods of time will pass over you

until you recognize that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on

whomever He wishes. (4:32)

But at the end of that period, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven and my reason

returned to me, and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever…

(4:34)

Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt and honor the King of heaven, for all His works are true

and His ways just, and He is able to humble those who walk in pride.” (4:37)

Then they brought the gold vessels that had been taken out of the temple, the house of God

which was in Jerusalem; and the king and his nobles, his wives and his concubines drank from

them. (5:3)

O king, the Most High God granted sovereignty, grandeur, glory and majesty to Nebuchadnezzar

your father. (5:18)

He was also driven away from mankind, and his heart was made like that of beasts, and his

dwelling place was with the wild donkeys. He was given grass to eat like cattle, and his body

was drenched with the dew of heaven until he recognized that the Most High God is ruler over

the realm of mankind and that He sets over it whomever He wishes. (5:21)
but you have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven; and they have brought the vessels of

His house before you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines have been

drinking wine from them; and you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron,

wood and stone, which do not see, hear or understand. But the God in whose hand are your life-

breath and all your ways, you have not glorified. (5:23)

This is the interpretation of the message: ‘MENĒ’—God has numbered your kingdom and put an

end to it. (5:26)

Then these men said, “We will not find any ground of accusation against this Daniel unless we

find it against him with regard to the law of his God.” (6:5)

Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof

chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three

times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously. Then

these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his

God. (6:10-11)

Then the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and cast into the lions’ den. The king

spoke and said to Daniel, “Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you.”

(6:16)

When he had come near the den to Daniel, he cried out with a troubled voice. The king spoke

and said to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you constantly serve,

been able to deliver you from the lions?” Then Daniel spoke to the king, “O king, live

forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths and they have not harmed me,

inasmuch as I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I have committed

no crime.” Then the king was very pleased and gave orders for Daniel to be taken up out of the
den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den and no injury whatever was found on him, because he

had trusted in his God. (6:20-23)

I make a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom men are to fear and tremble before the

God of Daniel… (6:26)

I kept looking until thrones were set up, and the Ancient of Days took His seat; His

vesture was like white snow and the hair of His head like pure wool. His throne was ablaze with

flames, its wheels were a burning fire. (7:9)

“I kept looking in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven One like a Son of Man

was coming, and He came up to the Ancient of Days and was presented before Him. (7:13)

But the saints of the Highest One will receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, for

all ages to come.’ (7:18)

until the Ancient of Days came and judgment was passed in favor of the saints of the Highest

One, and the time arrived when the saints took possession of the kingdom. (7:22)

He will speak out against the Most High and wear down the saints of the Highest One, and he

will intend to make alterations in times and in law; and they will be given into his hand for a

time, times, and half a time. (7:25)

Then the sovereignty, the dominion and the greatness of all the kingdoms under the whole

heaven will be given to the people of the saints of the Highest One; His kingdom will be an

everlasting kingdom, and all the dominions will serve and obey Him.’ (7:27)

It even magnified itself to be equal with the Commander of the host; and it removed the regular

sacrifice from Him, and the place of His sanctuary was thrown down. (8:11)
And through his shrewdness he will cause deceit to succeed by his influence; and he will

magnify himself in his heart, and he will destroy many while they are at ease. He will even

oppose the Prince of princes, but he will be broken without human agency. (8:25)

In the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, observed in the books the number of the years which

was revealed as the word of the Lord to Jeremiah the prophet for the completion of the

desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years. So I gave my attention to the Lord God to

seek Him by prayer and supplications, with fasting, sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the Lord my

God and confessed and said, “Alas, O Lord, the great and awesome God, who keeps His

covenant and lovingkindness for those who love Him and keep His commandments… (9:2-4)

“Righteousness belongs to You, O Lord, but to us open shame, as it is this day—to the men of

Judah, the inhabitants of Jerusalem and all Israel, those who are nearby and those who are far

away in all the countries to which You have driven them, because of their unfaithful deeds which

they have committed against You. Open shame belongs to us, O Lord, to our kings, our princes

and our fathers, because we have sinned against You. To the Lord our God belong compassion

and forgiveness, for we have rebelled against Him; nor have we obeyed the voice of the Lord our

God, to walk in His teachings which He set before us through His servants the prophets. Indeed

all Israel has transgressed Your law and turned aside, not obeying Your voice; so the curse has

been poured out on us, along with the oath which is written in the law of Moses the servant of

God, for we have sinned against Him. (9:7-11)

As it is written in the law of Moses, all this calamity has come on us; yet we have not sought the

favor of the Lord our God by turning from our iniquity and giving attention to Your

truth. Therefore the Lord has kept the calamity in store and brought it on us; for the Lord our

God is righteous with respect to all His deeds which He has done, but we have not obeyed His
voice. “And now, O Lord our God, who have brought Your people out of the land of Egypt with

a mighty hand and have made a name for Yourself, as it is this day—we have sinned, we have

been wicked. O Lord, in accordance with all Your righteous acts, let now Your anger and Your

wrath turn away from Your city Jerusalem, Your holy mountain; for because of our sins and the

iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and Your people have become a reproach to all those around

us. 17So now, our God, listen to the prayer of Your servant and to his supplications, and for Your

sake, O Lord, let Your face shine on Your desolate sanctuary. O my God, incline Your ear and

hear! Open Your eyes and see our desolations and the city which is called by Your name; for we

are not presenting our supplications before You on account of any merits of our own, but on

account of Your great compassion. O Lord, hear! O Lord, forgive! O Lord, listen and take action!

For Your own sake, O my God, do not delay, because Your city and Your people are called by

Your name.” (9:13-19)

Now while I was speaking and praying, and confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel,

and presenting my supplication before the Lord my God in behalf of the holy mountain of my

God… (9:20)

Then he said to me, “Do not be afraid, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart on

understanding this and on humbling yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I

have come in response to your words. (10:12)

By smooth words he will turn to godlessness those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but

the people who know their God will display strength and take action. (11:32)

“Then the king will do as he pleases, and he will exalt and magnify himself above every god and

will speak monstrous things against the God of gods; and he will prosper until the indignation is

finished, for that which is decreed will be done. (11:36)

I heard the man dressed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, as he raised his right

hand and his left toward heaven, and swore by Him who lives forever that it would be for a time,

times, and half a time; and as soon as they finish shattering the power of the holy people, all

these events will be completed. (12:7)