Bible Discussion for Monday 27th of March at 6.30pm

On Monday 27th March at 6.30pm our Bible Discussion will be led by Sheena Gabriel, on the feminine figure of Wisdom (‘Hokmah’ in Hebrew, ‘Sophia’ in Greek) hidden in plain sight within the Hebrew bible; in the book of Proverbs (where she’s personified as ‘Lady Wisdom’, and present with G-d at creation), and the apocryphal books of ‘The Wisdom of Solomon’, ‘Sirach / Ecclesiasticus’, and 'Baruch' (all found in the Catholic Bible).  Within the session, we’ll focus on several key texts from Proverbs, and consider this extraordinary passage from the Wisdom of Solomon:

The Nature of Wisdom (chapter 7 v.22-30 - NRSV)

22 There is in her a spirit that is intelligent, holy,

unique, manifold, subtle, agile, clear, unpolluted,

distinct, invulnerable, loving the good, keen,

 23 irresistible, beneficent, humane, steadfast, sure, free from anxiety,

all-powerful, overseeing all, and penetrating through all spirits

that are intelligent, pure, and altogether subtle.

 24 For wisdom is more mobile than any motion;

because of her pureness she pervades and penetrates all things.

 25 For she is a breath of the power of God

and a pure emanation of the glory of the Almighty;

therefore nothing defiled gains entrance into her.

 26 For she is a reflection of eternal light,

a spotless mirror of the working of God, and an image of his goodness.

 27 Although she is but one, she can do all things,

and while remaining in herself, she renews all things;

in every generation she passes into holy souls

and makes them friends of God and prophets,

 28 for God loves nothing so much as the person who lives with wisdom.

 29 She is more beautiful than the sun and excels every constellation of the stars.

Compared with the light she is found to be more radiant,

 30 for it is succeeded by the night, but against wisdom evil does not prevail.

We’ll also touch briefly on references to wisdom within Christian scripture (some theologians consider Jesus to be the incarnation of Wisdom; others equate her with the Holy Spirit) and reflect how biblical texts about wisdom might transform our perceptions on the nature of the Divine.

Come with open minds and hearts, prepared to be touched by, and respond to, the call of Wisdom for,

 “She is more precious than jewels… 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 chapter 3 v, 15-18)

If you want to do some reading in advance, key passages include:

Proverbs chapter 3: v. 13-20; chapter 8, chapter 9 v. 1-6,

Sirach chapter 1 v. 1-20, chapter 6, v.18-31

The Wisdom of Solomon chapter 7 v. 7-14, 21-30, chapter 8 v.1-9

If you’re really keen - additional passages on personified Wisdom:

Proverbs chapter 1, v. 20- 33, chapter 4, v. 5-13

Sirach: chapter 4 v. 11-19, chapter 14 v. 20-27, chapter 15, v. 1-10, chapter 24, chapter 51 v 13-30

Baruch: chapter 3 v. 9- 37, chapter 4 v1-2

The Wisdom of Solomon: chapter 6 v. 12- 25, chapter 9, chapter 10

Zoom link for the meeting [https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82378042367]

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82378042367...

Meeting ID: 823 7804 2367

Passcode: 460019

Icon of Sophia, the Divine Wisdom, 17th c. Yaroslavl Art Museum