The Book of Proverbs is more complex than most people expect. In this episode of Bible in a Year, host Katie Langston and Dr. Kathryn Schifferdecker welcome Dr. Diane Jacobson, Professor Emerita of Old Testament at Luther Seminary and the first woman to teach Bible in an ELCA seminary, to explore one of Scripture’s most underappreciated books. Together they unpack the book’s structure, its vision of “the good life,” the poetic nature of wisdom, and why truth and goodness can never be separated in the proverbial worldview.
Dr. Jacobson also dives into the captivating figure of Woman Wisdom, tracing a remarkable through line from Proverbs to the Gospel of John’s portrait of Jesus as incarnate wisdom, and from the Proverbs 31 woman to Hannah’s song to the Magnificat. Whether you are new to Proverbs or have read it many times, this conversation will invite you to slow down, savor, and enter the text in a whole new way.
Scripture References
- Proverbs 1, 3, 8, 9 (Woman Wisdom)
- Proverbs 31 (Woman of Worth)
- Genesis 1 (creation)
- John 1 (Jesus as incarnate wisdom)
- 1 Samuel 1-2 (Hannah’s song)
- Luke 1 (The Magnificat)
- Matthew and Luke (Jesus as wisdom teacher)
Bible Bingo
- Instruction
- Wisdom
- The good life
- Fear of the Lord
- Facts and values
7-Word Summary
“Wisdom is standing at the gate.”
