Monte Sant’ Angelo Mercy College

Assessment Task Notification

Year 9 Religious Education
Semester 1 Term 2 2024
Topic: Biblical Writing
Task Weighting: 25%
Due Date: Week 6 Friday June 7 – Turnitin and Hard Copy to Teacher All students should read the
Middle School Assessment Policy regarding late submissions.
Statement of Inquiry:
Time, place and space affect the ways in which beliefs are expressed.
You will be assessed on your ability to:
Criterion A: Knowing & Understanding

i. Uses a wide range of terminology about Scripture and a selected passage in context. ii.
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the literary forms of Scripture,
individual passages, and the application of these passages in today’s world through
developed descriptions, explanations, and examples.

Criterion C: Communicating

i. Communicate information and ideas about Scripture and a chosen passage effectively using an
appropriate style for the audience and purpose.
ii. Structure information and ideas about Scripture in a way that is appropriate to the specified
format.
iii. Document sources of information using a recognised convention.

The Task – Description & Instructions

 Choose one of these Old Testament sources and respond using PEEL
paragraphs. Old Testament Sources
Example Literary Form Bible Reference

A Creation Myth Genesis 1 - 4

B Historical Narrative Exodus 12 - 20

C Prophetic Writing Choose one Prophet (Isaiah, Jeremiah, or Daniel)

D Wisdom Literature The Book of Proverbs 1 - 9

Research Questions
Answer the following questions in PEEL paragraphs
Include at least one quote / reference in each answer - include in-text referencing

1. Identify the literary form evident in your chosen text and discuss two or three
characteristic features. Give examples to support your ideas (150 words). 2. What
message is the author / community trying to communicate in this source? (e.g.
beliefs, ethical teachings, ritual practices) (150 words).
3. How did the context of the time, place, and space in which this text was written
affect the ways in which these ideas were expressed? (200 words) 4. In what ways
are the messages of this text still relevant to people's lives today? Give examples of
how these messages can be lived in today’s society (200 words)

An APA Reference List must be submitted with the task. Review PEEL
paragraph format and use in-text referencing.
1. Identify the literary form evident in your chosen text and discuss two or three

characteristic features. Give examples to support your ideas (150 words).

Proverbs 1-9 is exemplary of Hebrew poetry and is a piece of wisdom literature in the New

Testament. Wisdom literature is not law or prophecy, but didactic texts regarding gaining

God’s favour and living a more spiritual life, focusing on each individual instead of entire

communities, sharing the focus of individual goodness with the current Catholic charism.

Proverbs 1-9 is a piece of wisdom literature because of its dialogue, often acting as a tool to

personify wisdom and provide deeper meaning, demonstrated in Proverbs 1:20-22, ‘Out in

the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square; on top of the wall

she cries out, at the city gate she makes her speech: “How long will you who are simple

love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate

knowledge?”’ Additionally, Proverbs 1-9 is proven to be wisdom literature due to its

repeated referencing of parents and children, with characterisation used to express the

parental protection wisdom can provide, demonstrated in Proverbs 1:8-9, “Listen, my son,

to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching”. Wisdom literature

utilizes repetition to accentuate certain points, and Proverbs 1-9 repeats the phrases “My

son”, and “Do not forsake your mother’s teaching”. Proverbs 1-9 is a piece of wisdom

literature due to its inclusion of typical language features and themes that align with other

pieces of wisdom literature.

2. What message is the author/community trying to communicate in this source?

(e.g. beliefs, ethical teachings, ritual practices) (150 words).

Proverbs 1-9 strives to have an impact on the readers' behaviours, thoughts and futures.

The writing is didactic, intending on teaching, and focuses on encouraging individuals to

strengthen their connection with God and by doing so, improve life for themselves and

others. It encourages all to live virtuous lives, by giving advice, some of which is more
relevant now than ever, and by stating essential characteristics of a virtuous life, including

courage and wisdom. Proverbs 1-9 conveys how key courage is to a virtuous life, stating

individuals need to be brave enough to not succumb to invitations and opportunities to sin,

however tempting they may be. Proverbs 1:10-16 states, “My son, if sinful men entice you,

do not give in to them. If they say, ‘Come along with us; let’s lie in wait for innocent blood,

let’s ambush some harmless soul; let’s swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like

those who go down to the pit; we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with

plunder; cast lots with us, we will all share the loot’— my son, do not go along with them,

do not set foot on their paths; for their feet rush into evil, they are swift to shed blood”,

imploring readers to separate themselves from individuals and actions intent on

sin. Proverbs also emphasize how wisdom supports a life of virtue by accentuating that

wise, thoughtful decisions lead to better consequences, writing in Proverbs 2:9-10, “Then

you will understand what is right and just and fair—every good path. For wisdom will enter

your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.”

3. How did the context of the time, place, and space in which this text was written

affect the ways in which these ideas were expressed? (200 words)

The text in Proverbs 1-9 cannot always be comprehended literally due to the clashing of the

first-century Palestinian context it was written and the current world. There is often

confusion amongst readers regarding this book, influenced by many factors. Firstly, many of

the stories written in the book of Proverbs were once passed down orally, likely as moral

stories taught to younger generations, and so do not translate well when annotated, as they

were originally told with the opportunity for explanation and extension. Additionally, the

themes are not as relevant as they once were, with an emphasis on adultery and disloyalty

that is less common nowadays, and that many have learnt through the passing on of

generational wisdom. Proverbs is also primarily aimed toward men, as women at the time

were taught minimal communication and language skills, instead being taught domestic
skills. The book demonstrates this, with all references to the reader stating “My son”, and all

examples of poor behaviour surrounding a man and his disloyalty to the women in his life.

An example of this can be found in Proverbs 5:7-10, “Now then, my sons, listen to me; do

not turn aside from what I say. Keep to a path far from her, do not go near the door of her

house, lest you lose your honour to other and your dignity to one who is cruel, lest

strangers feast on your wealth and your toil enrich the house of another.” This style of

writing obviously contrasts with today’s world, as women are literate and given much more

dignity, but these passages remain seemingly less accessible to them.

4. In what ways are the messages of this text still relevant to people's lives today?

Give examples of how these messages can be lived in today’s society (200 words)

Whilst the literal meaning of the words used in Proverbs 1-9 may reveal an aged and

slightly sexist perspective of the world, the meaning behind the metaphors and inaccessible

themes are still relevant, now more than ever. Proverbs 1-9 has an overarching message of

the eternal benefits of wisdom, and how being wise, loyal and courageous in life supports

one's soul to be with God in the afterlife, as well as improving the quality of life and the

quality of life others can experience. The messages of loyalty, though at times in the Book

of Proverbs hidden under more niche examples, are so applicable to modern life. Catholics

must strive to be loyal to God, but also to be loyal to each other. In a time where so many

are thrown into crime due to familial or social circumstances, individuals who have been

imprisoned deserve the support and dignity Proverbs 1-9 accentuates. More and more

Catholic organizations and communities are committing to restoring the dignity of

individuals leaving prison, through the donation of essential items within initiatives like the

Cana Farm Backpacks and offering of emotional support and friendship. This not only

supports a marginalized community that may otherwise resort back to crime, but brings and

makes all involved closer and more alike to God. This form of inclusion and support for all,

even though it does not match the exact words written, allows modern-day Catholics to still
live out the values of wisdom, loyalty and courage depicted in Proverbs 1-9.
 References

Bible Ref. (2024). What Does Proverbs Chapter 2 Mean? BibleRef.com.

https://www.bibleref.com/Proverbs/2/Proverbs-chapter-2.html

Engle, K. (2022, July 12). 9 Commentaries on Wisdom Literature (& Why It Matters). Word by Word.

https://www.logos.com/grow/9-commentaries-on-wisdom-literature-why-it-matters/

Harry Hagan, O. S. B. (2022). 14. The Genres of Wisdom Literatures. Pressbooks.palni.org, 14.

https://pressbooks.palni.org/elementsofbiblicalpoetry/chapter/14-wisdom-

genres/#:~:text=Wisdom%20literature%20is%20more%20ancient

In Touch Ministries Australia. (2024, June 1). WATCH | Living Wisely or Foolishly.

Www.intouchaustralia.org. https://www.intouchaustralia.org/watch/sermons/living-wisely-or-

foolishly

Logos Faith. (2024). Home. Logos Bible Study.

https://app.logos.com/books/LLS%3A1.0.710/references/bible%2Besv.20.6.27

Millard, A. R. (2003, August). Literacy in the Time of Jesus. The BAS Library.

https://library.biblicalarchaeology.org/article/literacy-in-the-time-of-

jesus/#:~:text=Not%20everyone%20could%20read%20and

Payes, J. (2017, February 17). Proverbs 1-9 and the Teaching of Wisdom. Biblical Faith.

https://biblicalfaith.online/2017/02/17/proverbs-1-9-and-the-teaching-of-

wisdom/#:~:text=Contextualizing%20the%20Genre%20of%20Proverbs
Psalter Mark. (2018, March 4). Dialogue in Wisdom. PsalterMark.

https://psaltermark.com/2018/03/04/dialogue/

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. (2024). Introduction to the Book of Proverbs.

Www.churchofjesuschrist.org. https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/old-testament-

seminary-teacher-manual/introduction-to-the-book-of-proverbs?lang=eng

The Librarians. (2017, November 7). Just How Literate Were Jewish Women of the Past? The Cairo

Geniza Tells All. The Librarians. https://blog.nli.org.il/en/geniza_women/