Widely as they differ in form and theme, Job, the first nine chapters of the Book of Proverbs, and the book of Ecclesiastes, have some characteristics in common.

The first is that they are poetical, a fact always to be borne in mind if they are to be read with understanding. If Ecclesiastes does not always follow the form of poetry in rhythm and parallelism as strictly as the other two, it is no less poetical in spirit. It is the quality of poetry that the thought is to be found in the whole rather than in the part.

There is a deeper reason, however, why studies relating to these books can be fittingly bound together. While it may be accepted that each has its place in the plan of revelation, that place may be less immediately evident than in the case with history or prophecy. Only on closer study it is seen that they do, in a profound way, prepare the ground for the coming of Christ. They exercise our minds, they bring many aspects of life into the light of examination, they raise problems and lead toward answers, but their greatest work is to make us ready for a deeper understanding of the "great salvation" accomplished in the Son of God.