Wisdom-Trek ‪©‬ H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III

Welcome to Day 2397 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.
This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom
Wisdom Nuggets – Ecclesiastes 12:1-6
Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2397

Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2397 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.

In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I will guide you through the vast landscapes of biblical wisdom. Today, we’re continuing our journey through the book of Ecclesiastes. Our focus will be on Ecclesiastes 12:1-6 from the New Living Translation. These verses are a poignant reminder about the inevitability of aging and the importance of remembering our Creator throughout our lives. Let’s embark on this trek together and uncover the timeless wisdom that Solomon shares with us.

Ecclesiastes 12:1-6 (NLT):

1 Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.”

2 Remember him before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is dim to your old eyes, and rain clouds continually darken your sky.

3 Remember him before your legs—the guards of your house—start to tremble; and before your shoulders—the strong men—stoop. Remember him before your teeth—your few remaining servants—stop grinding; and before your eyes—the women looking through the windows—see dimly.

4 Remember him before the door to life’s opportunities is closed and the sound of work fades. Now you rise at the first chirping of the birds, but then all their sounds will grow faint.

5 Remember him before you become fearful of falling and worry about danger in the streets; before your hair turns white like an almond tree in bloom, and you drag along without energy like a dying grasshopper, and the caperberry no longer inspires sexual desire. Remember him before you near the grave, your everlasting home, when the mourners will weep at your funeral.

6 Yes, remember your Creator now while you are young, before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden bowl is broken. Don’t wait until the water jar is smashed at the spring and the pulley is broken at the well.

Remembering Our Creator:

Solomon begins this passage with a heartfelt exhortation: “Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, ‘Life is not pleasant anymore’” (verse 1). This verse underscores the importance of establishing a relationship with God early in life. The vigor and excitement of youth can often lead us to neglect our spiritual lives, but Solomon warns against this. Instead, we should honor God while we are still young and full of energy.

Remembering our Creator during our youth sets the foundation for a life that is grounded in faith and purpose. It helps us navigate the challenges and temptations that come with youth and instills values that guide us throughout our lives. By honoring God early, we build a strong spiritual foundation that sustains us as we grow older.

The Inevitability of Aging:

In verses 2-5, Solomon vividly describes aging: “Remember him before...

Welcome to Day 2396 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.
This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – Counting the Ten Commandments – I Dare You Not To Bore Me With The Bible
Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2396

Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2396 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.

 

Today is the ninth lesson in our segment, Theology Thursday. Utilizing excerpts from a book titled: I Dare You Not To Bore Me With The Bible written by Hebrew Bible scholar and professor the late Dr. Michael S Heiser, we will invest a couple of years going through the entire Bible, exploring short Biblical lessons that you may not have received in Bible classes or Church.

The Bible is a wonderful book. Its pages reveal the epic story of God’s redemption of humankind and the long, bitter conflict against evil. Yet it’s also a book that seems strange to us. While God’s Word was written for us, it wasn’t written to us. Today, our lesson is Counting the Ten Commandments.

One of the most enduring elements of the Bible and the Judaeo-Christian worldview within Western culture is the Decalogue, the Ten Commandments. Even if one can’t recite them all, most people have seen the fiery finger of God etch the commandments into two stone tablets as Moses— for many of us, Charlton Heston—watches in awe.

It seems to go without saying that the list of the Ten Commandments is something that Judaism and Christianity have always agreed upon. Well, that is not exactly true.

Historically speaking, Jews and Christians—and even denominations within Christianity—have disagreed on exactly how the Ten Commandments should be listed and expressed. In fact, how to precisely spell out the commandments was an issue of considerable importance during the Protestant Reformation. The difference concerns how many commands are found in the first six verses and last two verses of Exodus 20:2-17, the initial listing of the commandments received by Moses at Sinai.- One point of context is required before we can understand the thinking behind the differences in the listing and expression of the commandments. Any listing of the commandments must result in a total of ten, because three other passages of Scripture fix the number of commandments at ten. Exodus 34:28, Deuteronomy 4:13, and Deuteronomy 10:4 each clearly tell us that God gave Moses ‘asereth hadvarim (“ten words”; “ten statements”) at Sinai.

Interestingly, the Jewish tradition treats the statement in Exodus 20:2 (compare Deut 5:6) as a command when the wording has no imperative force to it at all. This latitude arises from the fact that the Hebrew text of the Old Testament exclusively uses ‘asereth hadvarim (“ten words”) instead of ‘asereth hamitsvot (“ten commandments”) with respect to the contents of Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5. After regarding Exodus 20:2 as the first “word” of the ten, verses 3-6 are thematically understood as speaking to a single prohibition: making idols for worship.

There are actually three imperative statements in this group of verses ( You must not have any other god but me. You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything. You must not bow down to them or worship...

Welcome to Day 2395 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.
This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom
Wisdom Nuggets – Ecclesiastes 11:7-10
Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2395

Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2395 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.

In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I will guide you through the vast landscapes of biblical wisdom. Today, we’re continuing our journey through the book of Ecclesiastes. Our focus will be on Ecclesiastes 11:7-10 from the New Living Translation. These verses offer profound insights into the fleeting nature of life, the importance of enjoying our days, and the sobering reminder of accountability. Let’s embark on this trek together and uncover the timeless wisdom that Solomon shares with us.

Ecclesiastes 11:7-10 (NLT):

7 Light is sweet; how pleasant to see a new day dawning.

8 When people live to be very old, let them rejoice in every day of life. But let them also remember there will be many dark days. Everything still to come is meaningless.

9 Young people, it’s wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do; take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do.

10 So refuse to worry, and keep your body healthy. But remember that youth, with a whole life before you, is meaningless.

The Sweetness of Life:

Solomon begins this passage with a beautiful acknowledgment of the sweetness of life: “Light is sweet; how pleasant to see a new day dawning” (verse 7). This verse captures the joy and gratitude we should feel for each new day. The dawn of a new day symbolizes hope, opportunities, and the simple pleasures of being alive. It’s a call to appreciate the gift of life and the beauty that each day brings.

This perspective encourages us to start our days with a sense of wonder and thankfulness. The rising sun reminds us of God’s faithfulness and the continuous renewal cycle. Each new day is an opportunity to experience God’s grace, love, learn, and grow. By acknowledging the sweetness of life, we cultivate a heart of gratitude and joy.

Rejoicing in Each Day:

In verse 8, Solomon advises, “When people live to be very old, let them rejoice in every day of life. But let them also remember there will be many dark days. Everything still to come is meaningless.” Here, Solomon emphasizes the importance of rejoicing in each day, regardless of our age. Every day is a gift and should be celebrated. However, he also reminds us that life is not without its challenges and dark days.

This dual perspective is crucial. While we should find joy in each day, we must also recognize the reality of life’s hardships. Solomon’s mention that “everything still to come is meaningless” reminds us of the transient nature of our earthly existence. This doesn’t mean life is without value, but rather that we should not place ultimate significance on the temporal things of this world.

Rejoicing each day involves embracing both the good and the bad, finding meaning in our experiences, and cherishing our moments. It’s about living...

Welcome to Day 2394 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me.
This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom
Day 2394 – How to Shock an Unbelieving Crowd 4:1-6 – Daily Wisdom
Putnam Church Message – 06/02/2024

Our Strange Life – How to Shock an Unbelieving Crowd.

1 Peter 4:1-6

Last week, we explored the importance of being a faithful Christ Follower and the necessity of public baptism for Focusing Fully on Jesus Christ.

Today, we focus on the attitude that we, as Christ's Followers, should have and on the possibility that our lives may shock the unbelieving crowd.

Today’s passage is 1 Peter 4:1-6, on page 1890 of your Pew Bibles.

 1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit.

Throughout the New Testament, we read of the changed life that follows genuine conversion. When God freely and fully forgives the sins of our former life|when the righteousness of Christ is credited to our account |and the Spirit of God takes up residence in our hearts|then the old things pass away, and all things become new (2 Cor. 5:17). This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! The lifelong process of transformation begins. This radical series of changes alters our attitudes, inner motives, habits, and pursuits, as well as our choice of close friends.

As far back as the first century, Peter wrote of all these things. Though almost two thousand years separate us from Peter’s original audience, there isn’t a Christian today who can't identify with the apostle’s words. Written for a particular time, they are nevertheless timeless. They speak with incredible relevance today, especially his comments regarding the reaction of those who don't know the Lord. In this section, Peter reminds us that because our citizenship is in heaven, the current world isn’t our true home in its current form until Jesus transforms it into a Global Eden upon his return. We're representatives, yes, Ambassadors of a different kingdom. And like foreign tourists visiting another country, we may be the only way people get a picture of what God's kingdom is like. As a result, unbelievers today will either be attracted or repelled by our heavenly home.

-4:1-3-

With the logical conjunction “therefore," Peter is saying in shorthand, “Now, in light of everything I have just written about Christ, I’m going to present you with some practical conclusions.” In the previous...

Welcome to Day 2393 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.
This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom
Wisdom Nuggets – Ecclesiastes 11:1-6
Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2393

Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2393 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.

In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I will guide you through the vast landscapes of biblical wisdom. Today, we’re continuing our journey through the book of Ecclesiastes. Our focus will be on Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 from the New Living Translation. In these verses, Solomon offers profound insights into the principles of generosity, the unpredictability of life, and the importance of diligent work. Let’s embark on this trek together and uncover the timeless wisdom that Solomon shares with us.

Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 (NLT):

1 Send your grain across the seas, and in time, profits will flow back to you.

2 But divide your investments among many places, for you do not know what risks might lie ahead.

3 When clouds are heavy, the rains come down. Whether a tree falls north or south, it stays where it falls.

4 Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest.

5 Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things.

6 Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon, for you don’t know if profit will come from one activity or another—or maybe both.

The Principle of Generosity and Investment:

Solomon begins this passage with a powerful metaphor about generosity and investment: “Send your grain across the seas, and in time, profits will flow back to you” (verse 1). This suggests that we should not be afraid to take risks and invest our resources, whether they be financial, time, or talents. By putting our resources out into the world, we open up the possibility of future returns. It’s a call to action, encouraging us to be proactive and forward-thinking.

In verse 2, Solomon advises, “But divide your investments among many places, for you do not know what risks might lie ahead.” This introduces the principle of diversification. As wise investors spread their investments to mitigate risk, we should diversify our efforts and resources. This means not putting all our eggs in one basket but spreading out our resources to increase the chances of success and minimize potential losses.

These verses teach us about the importance of generosity and strategic investment. By being generous and wise with our resources, we create opportunities for growth and future returns. It’s about taking calculated risks and being open to the possibilities that come from sharing what we have with the world.

The Unpredictability of Life:

Solomon then addresses the unpredictability of life in verse 3: “When clouds are heavy, the rains come down. Whether a tree falls north or south, it stays where it falls.” This verse reminds us that certain events in life...

Welcome to Day 2392 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.
This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom
Wisdom Nuggets – Ecclesiastes 10:15-20 Daily Wisdom
Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2392

Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2392 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.

In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I will guide you through the vast landscapes of biblical wisdom. Today, we’re continuing our journey through the book of Ecclesiastes. We’ll be examining Ecclesiastes 10:15-20 from the New Living Translation. In these verses, Solomon provides us with deep insights into the consequences of foolishness and the importance of wisdom in leadership, work, and speech. Let’s embark on this trek together and uncover Solomon’s timeless truths.

Ecclesiastes 10:15-20 (NLT):

15 Fools are so exhausted by a little work that they can’t even find their way home.

16 What sorrow for the land ruled by a servant, the land whose leaders feast in the morning.

17 Happy is the land whose king is a noble leader and whose leaders feast at the proper time to gain strength for their work, not to get drunk.

18 Laziness leads to a sagging roof; idleness leads to a leaky house.

19 A party gives laughter, wine gives happiness, and money gives everything!

20 Never make light of the king, even in your thoughts. And don’t make fun of the powerful, even in your own bedroom. For a little bird might deliver your message and tell them what you said.

The Futility of Foolishness:

Solomon begins this section with a poignant observation about the nature of foolishness: “Fools are so exhausted by a little work that they can’t even find their way home” (verse 15). This verse paints a vivid picture of the ineffectiveness and incompetence of foolish people. They are overwhelmed by even the smallest tasks, to the point where they become disoriented and incapable of completing simple actions like finding their way home.

This highlights the futility and lack of productivity that characterize foolishness. It serves as a reminder that wisdom involves not just knowing what to do, but having the capacity and determination to see tasks through to completion. The wise person approaches work with diligence and perseverance, ensuring that their efforts yield results rather than leaving them lost and exhausted.

Wise Leadership vs. Foolish Leadership:

In verses 16 and 17, Solomon contrasts the impact of wise and foolish leadership on a nation: “What sorrow for the land ruled by a servant, the land whose leaders feast in the morning. Happy is the land whose king is a noble leader and whose leaders feast at the proper time to gain strength for their work, not to get drunk.”

A nation suffers under leaders who behave foolishly, indulging in feasting and revelry at inappropriate times. Morning feasting, in this context, implies a lack of discipline and a neglect of responsibilities. Such behavior from leaders leads to sorrow and instability for the land they govern. This could be interpreted as leaders prioritizing their own pleasure over their