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Scouting the Divine: My Search for God in Wine, Wool, and Wild Honey
Beloved Bible teacher Margaret Feinberg invites you on a remarkable spiritual adventure to live more courageous and free. The Bible is full of clever plots and compelling stories, laced with historic insights and literary beauty. But despite its richness and depth, many of us struggle to close the gap between the ancient world and our own. What does it mean to know that Jesus is the Good Shepherd when the only place you've encountered sheep is at a petting zoo? How can you understand the promise of a land overflowing with honey when you buy yours in a bear-shaped bottle? Can you grasp the urgency of Jesus' invitation to abide in the vine when you shop for grapes at a local grocery store? Margaret invites you to accompany her on the adventure of a lifetime - across the nation to herd sheep in Oregon, harvest fields with a Nebraska farmer, prune vines in California, and explore hives with a veteran beekeeper in Colorado. Along the way, you'll explore how ancient livelihoods illuminate meaningful truths that apply to life today. "I asked one question to each person, 'How do you read the Scriptures in light of what you do every day?'" she writes. "Their answers changed the way I read the Bible forever." With her trademark humor and vulnerability, you'll learn the secret of how to live like you have a shepherd, unlock the sweetest promises of God, and discover the gift of divine timing. You'll move from simply reading Scripture to entering stories that can be touched and tasted, smelled and savored. Scouting the Divine will revolutionize the way you understand the Bible - and leave you wonderstruck by the magnificence of God.
224 pages, Hardcover
First published September 18, 2009
110 people are currently reading
782 people want to read
About the author
Margaret Feinberg
145 books553 followersA self-described "hot mess," Margaret Feinberg is a popular Bible teacher and speaker at churches and leading conferences such as Catalyst, Thrive, and Women of Joy. Her books, including The Organic God, The Sacred Echo, Scouting the Divine, and Wonderstruck and their corresponding Bible studies, have sold nearly one million copies and received critical acclaim and extensive national media coverage from CNN, the Associated Press, USA Today, Los Angeles Times, Washington Post, and more.
She was recently named one of 50 women most shaping culture and the church today by Christianity Today, one of the 30 Voices who will help lead the church in the next decade by Charisma magazine and one of the ’40 Under 40’ who will shape Christian publishing by Christian Retailing magazine. Margaret lives in Morrison, Colorado, with her husband, Leif, and their superpup, Hershey. She believes some of the best days are spent in jammies, laughing, and being silly.
She was recently named one of 50 women most shaping culture and the church today by Christianity Today, one of the 30 Voices who will help lead the church in the next decade by Charisma magazine and one of the ’40 Under 40’ who will shape Christian publishing by Christian Retailing magazine. Margaret lives in Morrison, Colorado, with her husband, Leif, and their superpup, Hershey. She believes some of the best days are spent in jammies, laughing, and being silly.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews
December 18, 2022
3.5 stars, rounded up
This was equal parts delightful and fascinating, but ultimately I felt it was lacking depth. There was a real opportunity here to dive deeper into Scripture, which would have made this a five star read.
This was equal parts delightful and fascinating, but ultimately I felt it was lacking depth. There was a real opportunity here to dive deeper into Scripture, which would have made this a five star read.
October 29, 2009
Margaret Feinberg visits a shepherdess, a beekeeper, a farmer and a vintner to understand the symbolism and references in the Bible. Feinberg really did her homework on this one; she is able to approach each of the "experts" with a list of good questions and emerge with productive, insightful conversations. It is surprising to realize how out of touch we are with the agrarian world in which the Bible was written; the depth and richness of its metaphors are mostly lost on us. It makes me wonder what the Bible would sound like if it were written today. Poetic metaphors about Facebook and Interstates, perhaps?
Feinberg's prose style can be overexuberant at times; she likes to chronicle what everyone was wearing, how their houses are decorated, and what they order at fast food restaurants, as well as peppering the text with phrases like “I could resist,” I found myself drawn to” and “I fell in love with,” all of which invites the reader to skim. She moves sometimes with abrupt speed from unnecessary details to deep conversations about spiritual things, so don't skim too fast, however.
Of the four interviews, my favorite was the shepherdess. It feels like Feinberg moves more easily into spiritual insight, and is able to stay in that realm longer in that chapter. The revelation about giving God our best, not our most or biggest, is what I will remember about this book for years to come.
Feinberg's prose style can be overexuberant at times; she likes to chronicle what everyone was wearing, how their houses are decorated, and what they order at fast food restaurants, as well as peppering the text with phrases like “I could resist,” I found myself drawn to” and “I fell in love with,” all of which invites the reader to skim. She moves sometimes with abrupt speed from unnecessary details to deep conversations about spiritual things, so don't skim too fast, however.
Of the four interviews, my favorite was the shepherdess. It feels like Feinberg moves more easily into spiritual insight, and is able to stay in that realm longer in that chapter. The revelation about giving God our best, not our most or biggest, is what I will remember about this book for years to come.
October 15, 2019
How pleasant and peaceful it was to view Scripture through an agricultural lens! The part I loved most was when Margaret met a real shepherdess. Scripture on all things sheep came alive to me as I learned about the loving care and sacrifice a shepherd gives to his or her flock. Jesus’ title, The Good Shepherd and his parable of the lost sheep now pack a stronger punch. As a daughter of a beekeeper, I also loved the section of the book dedicated to exploring the honey biblical references; bees always amaze me. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and will return to certain parts for a reminder of God’s true nature. And now, if you will excuse me, I’m going to quit my job and go live on a farm.
August 16, 2017
While a different flavor than some of Margaret's other books like Wonderstruck or Fight Back with Joy, Scouting the Divine invites you to a join her on a pilgrimage. Our world is disconnected from the agrarian society of Biblical times, and Margaret takes us with her on her journey to understand the Bible better. How do shepherds care for their sheep? What can we learn from vintners about our own lives? What do bees have to teach us about the Promised Land? Scouting the Divine was like listening in to a relaxing conversation on a back porch, and I'm thankful Margaret took us along,
April 20, 2010
I loved this book. I rarely read non-fiction because I find a lot of it tedious. This book was far from tedious. The information was fresh and so interesting. I especially enjoyed the chapters on shepherding and winemaking. Feinberg does an amazing job of drawing parallels between the everyday responsibilities of these vocations and what is in scripture regarding them. I found that scripture that I have read many times suddenly came to life with new meaning for me.
November 14, 2016
Wow Margaret Feinberg is a great writer. Her colorful and poetic discriptions of travels she made writing the book are truly delightful. Sometimes she describes the food she is going to eat and it makes me salvitate. She has a wonderful gift to take parts of the world I have ignored and brought it to life. She visits a sheep herder, farmer, bee keeper, and a wine maker and brings a deeper understanding of their labor as it reflects on God. I look forward to reading more of her works.
April 20, 2012
Insightful read that is beautifully written. Love how the author has taken what had to be an immense amount of learning and shared the most precious parts with the reader in a way that left me fascinated and delighted.
May 31, 2025
Still floored by this. I loved how simple it was - just Margaret talking to people who really love their craft & seeing the outright biblical connection. That's what I've found in recent months; people are so willing to take the time and teach you what they love. We just have to ask. The farming section was my favorite. Just kept blowing me away how purposefully God created the earth - both in logic and connected metaphor to the intended perfection in the Garden. His original assignment was to care for the land!
"When you live in the environment that's described in the Bible, it comes to life in a whole new way. You begin to realize that God isn't just saying something as an analogy; he's really saying it" (78).
"God promised to bring His people out of Egypt into 'a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey' [...]. Such a detailed portrait of a promise reveals something about the outrageously generous heart of God. He didn't just want to end slavery for his people. He wanted to bring them out of the land entirely and to a new place that overflowed with provision" (132).
"But of all the titles, Jesus gives his father the title of vinedresser, and that's the one who prunes or sculpts the vine. [...] whoever is pruning a vine really is the master. Even in our vineyards, the owner may possess the land, and I might be making the wine, but it's the guy with the pair of shears making twelve dollars an hour who has all the power" (174).
"When God asked for the sheep without blemish, spot, or defect, he was asking the people not to just hand over their best, but also to sacrifice something they had worked years to develop" (45).
P.s. this book is a used copy published in 2009. Someone annotated "watch Angelina Jolie bee video" and some casting crowns lyrics. Margaret also has a playlist in the back with a Nickelback song as the first track. That felt important to my reading experience.
"When you live in the environment that's described in the Bible, it comes to life in a whole new way. You begin to realize that God isn't just saying something as an analogy; he's really saying it" (78).
"God promised to bring His people out of Egypt into 'a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey' [...]. Such a detailed portrait of a promise reveals something about the outrageously generous heart of God. He didn't just want to end slavery for his people. He wanted to bring them out of the land entirely and to a new place that overflowed with provision" (132).
"But of all the titles, Jesus gives his father the title of vinedresser, and that's the one who prunes or sculpts the vine. [...] whoever is pruning a vine really is the master. Even in our vineyards, the owner may possess the land, and I might be making the wine, but it's the guy with the pair of shears making twelve dollars an hour who has all the power" (174).
"When God asked for the sheep without blemish, spot, or defect, he was asking the people not to just hand over their best, but also to sacrifice something they had worked years to develop" (45).
P.s. this book is a used copy published in 2009. Someone annotated "watch Angelina Jolie bee video" and some casting crowns lyrics. Margaret also has a playlist in the back with a Nickelback song as the first track. That felt important to my reading experience.
December 21, 2023
While not the most epic writing and editing, I found this to be a very clever inspired journey. I would have given a 3.5 if able.
As a family, we have done all of these things, so it was very eye-opening to live it through someone who is not experienced and familiar with the agrarian life!
I definitely took away some gems and will utilize this in my walk going forward
As a family, we have done all of these things, so it was very eye-opening to live it through someone who is not experienced and familiar with the agrarian life!
I definitely took away some gems and will utilize this in my walk going forward
January 5, 2025
Great Read
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It has opened my eyes to read the scriptures in a fresh way. My two favorite chapters are the shepherd and the vinedresser.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It has opened my eyes to read the scriptures in a fresh way. My two favorite chapters are the shepherd and the vinedresser.
July 29, 2025
I wasn’t blown away but it was cool to read about her experiences with different vocations that gave a deeper look into scripture and Jesus’s parables
April 9, 2020
I love books about food. Her rich parallels to the truths in scripture were impactful. I especially loved the shepherdess and wine makers!
August 13, 2015
Feinberg takes us on her journey to discover deeper meaning in the Bible through better understanding vineyards, shepherds, farmers, and bee keepers-- and their relationship with their vines, sheep, crops, and bees. There are four sections, and if I had my own copy of this book I would read one section at the beginning of each season. Not because they represent each season, but to spread out the analogies so I can read more slowly and savor the impact of each.
She includes a set of songs in the back of the book as a soundtrack to each section. I haven't listened to them yet, but I look forward to it.
She includes a set of songs in the back of the book as a soundtrack to each section. I haven't listened to them yet, but I look forward to it.
January 31, 2016
Wonderful book for Christians to read. A personal look at many of the trades referenced in the Bible. I now do and will continue to understand the Bible on a deeper level. My hat goes to this author who personally went to the location of these people and observed them and allowed them to speak from their hearts. Thank you Margaret Feinberg, her husband and all those who welcomed her into their lives allowing her to write a deeply, insightful book.
April 6, 2016
A very neat look at the Bible from a modern agricultural viewpoint. It's so true that we have very little personal experience with some of the agrarian references in the Bible and considering them makes the stories and promises that much more colorful and impactful. I've listened to a few author as narrator audio books I disliked, but Margaret is perfect for telling this personal narrative in her own voice.
November 22, 2011
I'm maybe 2/3 of the way through, and I'm not going to finish. It's too bad b/c I really love the concept of the book, but it's just poorly executed. It's sloppy. Bummer.
March 27, 2014
I learned so much from reading this book!! Highly recommend!!
March 5, 2019
This book wasn’t what I expected, but that’s a good thing! I expected a very preachy book, expecting that was what I needed to learn from. But in this book, Feinburg has an incredible talent for weaving storytelling into spiritual guidance. I’ve read and studied scripture my whole life, but I’ve never thought to dig quite so deep into understanding the metaphors throughout scripture quite like she has done. Feinberg takes you from one travel journey to the next, studying the process of shepherding, winemaking, and several other common metaphors from the Bible. The result is a much deeper understanding of what God truly intended to show us through these metaphors. It’s a much bigger picture than I once thought.
What a unique journey of scripture this book was. Whether you’re new to Christianity or have read your Bible cover to cover numerous times, you’ll definitely get something from this.
What a unique journey of scripture this book was. Whether you’re new to Christianity or have read your Bible cover to cover numerous times, you’ll definitely get something from this.
October 29, 2019
This book was a wonderful read with plenty of things to think about from Scripture. We in the 21st Century are so far from our agriculture/husbandry roots that when we read the Bible or other historical documents and books it's hard to picture what being a shepherd, vintner or beekeeper was really like then.
Margaret spends time visiting people who are in these professions along with a farmer and gives insights that make you picture what things were really like during those times as well as today and it helps enrich your comprehension and enjoyment of history books and the Bible as well.
I enjoyed this read very much and will be looking for more of her titles. There is also a study that you can get if you want to go even more in depth with the book.
Margaret spends time visiting people who are in these professions along with a farmer and gives insights that make you picture what things were really like during those times as well as today and it helps enrich your comprehension and enjoyment of history books and the Bible as well.
I enjoyed this read very much and will be looking for more of her titles. There is also a study that you can get if you want to go even more in depth with the book.
August 21, 2020
The Bible in real life
There are so many things in the Bible that I have tended to read just at a surface level. I learned from that type of reading. But, when this author journeyed to look beyond the surface, I found myself gleaning a much deeper and richer understanding of what God was telling us through these stories and verses in the Bible.
I had done an in depth study of sheep before with a study about Psalm 23 and a book mentioned as a reference in this book - A Shepherd’s Look at Psalm 23. So, it was interesting to delve deeper into the references and stories about farming, vineyards, and honey.
Thanks to the author for sharing her journey and for encouraging readers to look a little deeper!
There are so many things in the Bible that I have tended to read just at a surface level. I learned from that type of reading. But, when this author journeyed to look beyond the surface, I found myself gleaning a much deeper and richer understanding of what God was telling us through these stories and verses in the Bible.
I had done an in depth study of sheep before with a study about Psalm 23 and a book mentioned as a reference in this book - A Shepherd’s Look at Psalm 23. So, it was interesting to delve deeper into the references and stories about farming, vineyards, and honey.
Thanks to the author for sharing her journey and for encouraging readers to look a little deeper!
Read
June 17, 2022This book came recommended to me by a friend (without her even being aware of it, I believe). The premise sounded very interesting so I requested this through interlibrary loan. The author writes this book after deciding to spend some time with and interviewing a few occupations that the Bible addresses. This way, she gains a greater depth of understanding for the Biblical passages that address each occupation/subject. She interviews a shepherdess, farmer, beekeeper, and vintner. Having sat under some good Christian teaching in my life, some of the ideas were not new to me, but there was still enough new information to prove very valuable, and many ideas did improve my understanding of Scripture. Definitely a recommendation!
August 7, 2019
Another amazing adventure with Margaret Feinberg. Scouting the Divine like most of author Feinberg's books are an adventure for me to take as I look at simple things in my life and how they relate to the bible and God. With each book, I read I gain a deeper understanding of how God is indeed in everything we do. I will never look a wine, wool, and honey quite the same. I have a much richer understanding of the care, love and deep understanding that Gods hands are in everything we do and each of his creations our masterfully designed.
January 17, 2023
I heard Margaret Feinberg speak at one of my favorite churches and fell in love with her!
This is a fun book of her journey to 'see' the Bible through the eyes of people who know about the agrarian examples used. As I have a thing for honey and own a lamb, I figured this was my book!
I don't want to say anything negative b/c there's nothing negative. I just wanted more. I'd say this book was devotional, not a deep dive. A fun read for someone who is unfamiliar with some of the imagery in the Bible.
I give it 3.5 stars for sure. And I'd love to hear her speak again!
This is a fun book of her journey to 'see' the Bible through the eyes of people who know about the agrarian examples used. As I have a thing for honey and own a lamb, I figured this was my book!
I don't want to say anything negative b/c there's nothing negative. I just wanted more. I'd say this book was devotional, not a deep dive. A fun read for someone who is unfamiliar with some of the imagery in the Bible.
I give it 3.5 stars for sure. And I'd love to hear her speak again!
March 13, 2023
The stories and truths are expertly woven together. Margaret's knowledge and creativity are both refreshing and instructive. Information, history, application and vulnerability all blend into a healthy, tasty smoothie. Reading the book feels like having a conversation with Margaret - and that is likely what she would prefer! I recommend this book for people at all stages of a spiritual journey: exploring, beginning, veterans or guides.
July 10, 2018
A thoughtful gentle read exploring the biblical motifs of shepherding, harvesting, honey, and wine. I enjoyed being taken along on her personal scouting journeys, and her thoughts about how these things were related to biblical times. She has a way of storytelling that helps us understand the meanings God was trying to convey to us.
March 5, 2019
At times the book was hard for me to get through. My mind seemed to be all over as I read it, but learning about the historical and scientific significance of wine, wool, and honey has REALLY helped grow and support my faith. God is a God of the littlest details, and the big picture!! I love the kind of life Margaret lives. I’m thankful she shared her journey with us!
January 9, 2021
I read this in conjunction with the Scouting the Divine Bible Study. The six week study took us almost 6 months (only partially because of the COVID shutdown). There is so much to discover from both the book and the study. Seeing the Bible through the eyes of people involved in the day-to-day operation of each of the professions opened my eyes to God’s plan in new and wonderful ways.
August 18, 2021
Going deeper into context of scripture was a fun journey through this book. Margaret’s writing style is fun and engaging drawing you into the scenes and you feel like you are in the journey with her.
Great book to awaken you spirit to dig deeper into scripture and discover the deeper meaning that we might breeze by.
Great book to awaken you spirit to dig deeper into scripture and discover the deeper meaning that we might breeze by.
August 29, 2023
An excellent Bible study for a small group or as an individual. As a sheep farmer, I loved the section on sheep/wool. Feinberg visits farmers and brings the Bible alive from an agricultural standpoint. Which is the primary occupation of most biblical characters. The questions are a bit easy but the scriptural references are great. I would highly recommend this study.
March 8, 2024
This book fascinated me! I already love learning the practices of anything that ties us to Creation, but to go to the level of relating these practices to the Bible tickled all kinds of my fancies! It brought alive passages in the Bible for me in a way that made me love our Creator more. I just loved it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 110 reviews