Adult Formation: Biblical Wisdom Literature & Divine Imagery
Led by Rev. Kate Wesch and Christina Rutland

Sunday, February 25 at 9 AM in the Parish Hall

Happy are those who find wisdom, and those who get understanding, for her income is better than silver, and her revenue better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honour. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called happy.

Proverbs 3:13-18

 

Who is this Woman Wisdom? She appears in the books collectively referred to as Wisdom Literature, including: Job, Proverbs, and Ecclesiastes. Wisdom is a character in these books, a female character, and many of the books describe her in rich metaphor. She is a tree, the breath of God, the firstborn architect of creation, the Word, humankind’s companion, a wife, a mother, and a bride. As Irene Nowell writes in her book, Women in the Old Testament, “She [wisdom] is the bridge between God and human beings.” Wisdom (capital W) lives among us, speaks with us, and physically connects us to God. Join us for a lively discussion about these rich poetic texts and Woman Wisdom.

Wisdom Woman, Donald Jackson, Copyright 2006, The Saint John’s Bible, Saint John’s University, Collegeville, Minnesota USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.