Our Worshipful Wednesday Lenten Series will begin on March 1st and seek to examine the theme of “wilderness” in a range of Old and New Testament texts. This week’s lesson will be taught by Professor Emerita at Maryville College, Dr. Peggy Cowan, who will teach from the Old Testament.

Session 4 – Prophets and Writings: Wilderness Imagery in texts of Judgment and Salvation

If living in the “land flowing with mild and honey” is important for the development of the nation, return to wilderness, i.e. loss or destruction of the land, is a consequence of national failure. Prophetic voices that proclaim judgment and those that announce salvation draw on the image of wilderness to convey their messages to the people. We will consider some of these texts and, if time allows, a few from the Psalms or other writings that illustrate the power of “wilderness” to represent the complexity of the covenant community’s relationship with its God.