In this episode of Genesis Marks the Spot, Carey uncorks the surprising biblical connection between wine and wisdom. What begins as a reflection on the interconnection of John Walton’s [New Explorations](https://www.amazon.com/New-Explorations-Lost-World-Genesis/dp/1514004917/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2O971X960JN3&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.QLNoMfIIKIx5uULmReIS8_pMtsIPkF4QDDHJwXl-FoA1LKxWJbL0jwBmuTcqcBjqs3a3ezG9wdnu3nGzHQRNkD_OFQcPEPWVkdGlEYc59CJJM0iCw621eMMmCviaVqFNSeJ2Iw09GLQ1a7Eih74iBodi4U-URiJbbeVfWFVLBNc-awz1jNqHQCjWx1zdx2Tg-nzB8-tixIBmJqp6bwwJ3uRR97Snct0RHYvGVGWdVRQ.mt8SlKuRIDFNiOQxcCDlc9TgHQ-pBPxqIeGSG9mqFTA&dib_tag=se&keywords=walton&qid=1748492518&sprefix=wa%2Caps%2C317&sr=8-2) and a survey of wisdom literature in Mark Scarlata's [Wine, Soil, and Salvation](https://www.amazon.com/Wine-Salvation-Hebrew-Bible-Testament/dp/1009551116/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1XLSOJVJ0OOJA&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.PyZ2WlaLehD9ZyAMW2CyvA.POBV2Jpim05kFoLs-kEIsaJaEpwsEvar_jY24ZDtSYI&dib_tag=se&keywords=scarlata+wine+soil+salvation&qid=1748492543&sprefix=scarlata+wine+soil+salvation%2Caps%2C183&sr=8-1) blooms into a deeply interwoven meditation on creation order, covenant, and the spiritual maturity that wine represents in Scripture.
You'll hear how Lady Wisdom's banquet in Proverbs aligns with Walton’s evolving theology of creation-as-order, and how biblical wisdom challenges both moralistic and hedonistic extremes in our view of alcohol. We also tease next week’s exploration into the New Testament, including the contrasting ministries of Jesus and John the Baptist, and what they reveal about God's relational intent.
If you’ve ever wondered what wisdom really looks like with a glass of wine in hand—or why kings shouldn’t drink while the poor might—this is your episode.
Topics Covered:
- Covenant as the telos of creation
- Wisdom as ordered living in God's world
- Wine as blessing, danger, and discernment
- Lady Wisdom’s mixed wine in Proverbs 9
- Ecclesiastes, Noah, and the post-flood vineyard
- A teaser: Why Jesus drank wine but John didn’t
Resources Referenced:
- Wine, Soil, and Salvation by Mark Scarlata
- The Walton family's work on Genesis and covenant theology
- Book of Sirach and Second Temple imagery of feasting
- Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and more
Website: [genesismarksthespot.com](http://genesismarksthespot.com/)
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/GenesisMarkstheSpot
Music credit: "Marble Machine" by Wintergatan
Link to Wintergatan’s website: https://wintergatan.net/
Link to the original Marble Machine video by Wintergatan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IvUU8joBb1Q&ab_channel=Wintergatan
00:00:00 Welcome to Wisdom's Table
00:01:24 A Surprising Connection to Walton’s Theology
00:04:08 Recap of the Wine Series So Far
00:06:29 Why the Lord’s Table Matters in Biblical Theology
00:11:02 Walton’s View: Creation and Order
00:14:05 Ancient Covenant, Not Modern Contract
00:16:23 Genesis 1–11 as a Subversive Narrative
00:19:56 Wine, Wisdom, and Covenant: A Thematic Convergence
00:23:40 Proverbs and the Fear of the Lord
00:25:10 The Immaturity of Abstaining?
00:27:44 Lady Wisdom’s Banquet and Wine in Proverbs 9
00:31:45 Wine and Kingship: The Sobriety of Justice
00:36:12 Drunkenness, Solitary Drinking, and Biblical Warnings
00:37:43 Ecclesiastes and the Vapor of Life
00:42:46 Genesis & Covenant vs Ecclesiastes & Toil
00:44:40 Work as a Gift, Not a Curse
00:49:24 Second Temple Wisdom: Sirach on Wine and Friendship
00:52:40 Temple Rituals and Wine Offerings
00:55:03 Preview of Next Week: Messianic Banquet Themes
00:57:13 Reflections on Wisdom and Discernment
01:01:30 What’s Next? Baptism, Feedback, and Prayer Requests
