Wisdom-Trek ‪©‬ H. Guthrie Chamberlain, III

Welcome to Day 2365 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.
This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom
Wisdom Nuggets – Ecclesiastes 4:1-6 Daily Wisdom
Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2365

Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2365 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 diving into Ecclesiastes 4:1-6 from the New Living Translation, where Solomon shares some profound insights on the vanity of life under the sun.

Let’s jump right in.

1 Again, I observed all the oppression that takes place under the sun. I saw the tears of the oppressed, with no one to comfort them. The oppressors have great power, and their victims are helpless.

2 So I concluded that the dead are better off than the living.

3 But most fortunate of all are those who are not yet born. For they have not seen all the evil that is done under the sun.

Observing Oppression:

Solomon begins by painting a vivid picture of the oppression he witnessed under the sun. He saw the tears of the oppressed, with no one to comfort them. The oppressors held great power, leaving their victims utterly helpless. He describes it as a bleak and stark reality.

The Better State of the Dead:

Faced with this harsh reality, Solomon comes to a startling conclusion. He believes that the dead are actually better off than the living. In death, they are free from the oppression and suffering that plague the living.

Fortune of the Unborn:

But Solomon doesn’t stop there. He goes a step further, declaring that the most fortunate of all are those who are not yet born. Why? Because they have not yet seen the evil that is done under the sun. They are spared from experiencing the pain and suffering of this world.

Continuation of Vanity:

4 Then I observed that most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind.

5 “Fools fold their idle hands, leading them to ruin.”

6 And yet, “Better to have one handful with quietness than two handfuls with hard work and chasing the wind.”

Motivation by Envy:

Solomon’s observations don’t stop with the oppression he sees. He also notices that many people are driven by envy. They’re motivated to succeed because they envy what their neighbors have. But Solomon sees this pursuit as futile, as meaningless as chasing the wind.

Folly of Idleness:

On the flip side, Solomon also observes the folly of idleness. He says that fools fold their idle hands, which leads them to ruin. There’s a danger in laziness and inactivity.

Contentment over Wealth:

In contrast, Solomon advocates for contentment. He says it’s better to have one handful with quietness than two handfuls with hard work and the constant pursuit of more.

Key Takeaways:

As we reflect on Solomon’s words, there are some key takeaways we can glean:

Recognition of Oppression: Solomon doesn’t shy away from acknowledging the oppression and...

Welcome to Day 2364 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me.
This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom
Day 2364 – OUR LIVING HOPE – STAYING CLEAN IN A CORRUPT SOCIETY 1 PETER 1:22-2:3 – Daily Wisdom
Putnam Church Message – 04/21/2024

Our Living Hope – Reasons for Pulling Together

1 Peter 1:22-2:3

Last week, we asked, and hopefully answered, “How can I stay clean in a corrupt society?” This is crucial to have a Biblical impact on society as ambassadors for God's Kingdom.

This week, we will investigate the Reasons for Pulling Together as Christians within a church setting and throughout our lives.

Let me start today with a short story. Before Andrew Jackson became the seventh president of the United States, he served as commander of the Tennessee militia. During the War of 1812, his troops reached an all-time low in their morale. A critical spirit spread among them. They argued, bickered, and fought amongst themselves. Reportedly, Jackson called them all together on one occasion when tensions reached a breaking point and said, “Gentlemen! Let's remember, the enemy is not here; it is over there!" Our politicians today would do well to remember these words.

What a sobering reminder for the church today! As we explore the next section in 1 Peter, we will learn “Reasons for Pulling Together.”

 In John 13:35, Jesus said, “By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”  This verse is the basis for our closing hymn. To our shame, the world sometimes looks on Bible-believing Christians as self-seeking and factious, even unloving and argumentative. We aren't always known for our love and support for one another. Instead of being loyal and fiercely committed to each other, in some churches, they tend to look for ways to pick at each other, to put down rather than build up. How strange! Fortunately, this is not the spirit that we have here at Putnam. The frequent occurrences of brother bashing and sister smashing indicate that we need to remind ourselves of the reasons for pulling together.

Let’s begin our study by reading 1 Peter 1:22 – 2:3 on page 1887 in your Pew Bibles.

22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the truth so that you have sincere love for each other, love one another deeply, from the heart.[b] 23 For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 24 For,

“All people are like grass,
and all their glory is like the flowers of the field;
the grass withers and the flowers fall,
25     but the word of the Lord endures forever.”[c]

And this is the word that was preached to you.

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2 Like newborn...

Welcome to Day 2363 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.
This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom
Wisdom Nuggets – Ecclesiastes 3:16-22 Daily Wisdom
Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2363

Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2363 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 exploring Ecclesiastes 3:16-22 from the New Living Translation.

Ecclesiastes 3:16-22 (NLT):

16 I also noticed that under the sun there is evil in the courtroom. Yes, even the courts of law are corrupt!

17 I said to myself, “In due season God will judge everyone, both good and bad, for all their deeds.”

18 I also thought about the human condition—how God proves to people that they are like animals.

19 For people and animals share the same fate—both breathe and both must die. So people have no real advantage over the animals. How meaningless!

20 Both go to the same place—they came from dust and they return to dust.

21 For who can prove that the human spirit goes up and the spirit of animals goes down into the earth?

22 So I saw that there is nothing better for people than to be happy in their work. That is our lot in life. And no one can bring us back to see what happens after we die.

Corruption in the Courtroom:

Solomon starts by addressing the corruption he sees even in the courtroom. He observes that, under the sun, there is evil in the justice system. Even the courts of law are not immune to corruption.

Divine Judgment:

But Solomon doesn’t lose hope. He reminds himself that, in due season, God will judge everyone, both the good and the bad, for all their deeds.

Human Condition:

Solomon then reflects on the human condition. He ponders how God proves to people that they are no different from animals. Both humans and animals share the same fate—they both breathe, and they both must die. Solomon finds this reality to be meaningless.

Equality in Death:

In death, Solomon sees equality. Both humans and animals go to the same place—they come from dust, and they return to dust. There’s no real advantage that humans have over animals.

Uncertainty of the Afterlife:

Solomon wrestles with the question of what happens after death. He asks, who can prove that the human spirit goes up while the spirit of animals goes down into the earth? It’s a question that remains unanswered.

Finding Happiness in Work:

Despite these existential questions, Solomon finds a glimmer of hope. He sees that there is nothing better for people than to find happiness in their work. That, he concludes, is our lot in life. And no one can bring us back to see what happens after we die.

Key Takeaways:

As we reflect on Solomon’s words, there are a few key takeaways we can glean:

Corruption Exists: Solomon acknowledges the presence of evil and corruption even in places meant for justice.
Divine Judgment: He finds hope in the idea that God...

Welcome to Day 2362 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.
This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom
Wisdom Nuggets – Ecclesiastes 3:9-15 Daily Wisdom
Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2362

Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2362 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’ll be delving into Ecclesiastes 3:9-15 from the New Living Translation.

In these verses, the Teacher continues to reflect on the cyclical nature of life and the appointed times for various activities. He acknowledges the beauty and purpose of God’s timing, emphasizing the importance of embracing each season of life.

Let’s uncover the profound insights found in Ecclesiastes 3:9-15.

Verses 9-10:

“What do people really get for all their hard work? I have seen the burden God has placed on us all.”

The Teacher reflects on the futility of human labor and the burden that God has placed on all people. He acknowledges the reality that despite our efforts, we cannot control the outcome of our labor.

What insights can we glean from the Teacher’s reflections on the futility of human labor?

The Teacher acknowledges the futility of human labor and the burden that God has placed on all people. He recognizes that despite our efforts, we cannot control the outcome of our labor.

Now, let’s explore verses 11-13.

“Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end. So I concluded there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. And people should eat and drink and enjoy the fruits of their labor, for these are gifts from God.”

The Teacher acknowledges the beauty and purpose of God’s timing, recognizing that God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He acknowledges the eternal nature of human existence, with God planting eternity in the human heart. Despite our inability to see the whole scope of God’s work, the Teacher concludes that there is nothing better than to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can. He emphasizes the importance of eating, drinking, and enjoying the fruits of our labor, recognizing that these are gifts from God.

What insights can we glean from the Teacher’s reflections on the beauty and purpose of God’s timing?

The Teacher acknowledges the beauty and purpose of God’s timing, recognizing that God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He emphasizes the eternal nature of human existence, with God planting eternity in the human heart. Despite our inability to see the whole scope of God’s work, the Teacher encourages us to be happy and enjoy ourselves as long as we can, recognizing that these are gifts from God.

Now, let’s examine verses 14-15.

“And I know that whatever God does is final. Nothing can be added to it or taken from it. God’s purpose is that people should fear him. What is happening now has happened before, and what will happen in the future has happened before, because God makes the same things happen over and over again.”

The Teacher...

Welcome to Day 2361 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.
This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – The Ancient’s Guide to the Galaxy - I Dare You Not To Bore Me With The Bible
Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2361

Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2361 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 first lesson in a new segment called Theology Thursday. Utilizing excerpts from a book titled: I Dare You Not To Bore Me With The Bible written by Bible scholar and professor 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 The Ancient’s Guide to the Galaxy.

God chose a specific time, place, and culture to inspire people to produce what we read in the Old Testament: the ancient Mediterranean and the ancient Near East of the second and first millennia BC. Understanding the worldview of this culture can lead to a more faithful understanding of Scripture on our part, especially when it comes to understanding how the Israelites viewed God and the universe.

Let’s first examine how they understood Old Testament Cosmology.

“Cosmology” refers to how we understand the universe’s structure. The biblical writers’ conception of how God structured the heavens and earth represents a particular cosmology.

The Israelites believed in a universe that was common among the ancient civilizations of the biblical world. It encompassed three parts: a heavenly realm, an earthly realm for humans, and an underworld for the dead. These three tiers are reflected in the Ten Commandments: “You shall not make for yourself a carved image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth” (Exod. 20:4).

Second, let’s examine how they understood The Heavens

We find an Israelite understanding of the heavens in Genesis 1:6-8, which describes it as an expanse, with waters above and below: “And God said, ‘Let there be an expanse (raqia) in the midst of the waters, and let it separate the waters from the waters.’... And it was so. And God called the expanse (raqia) Heaven or sky.”

The Heaven or sky thought to be a solid firmament, separated the waters above from the waters below: “When he established the heavens, I [Wisdom] was there; when he drew a circle on the face of the deep, when he made firm the skies above, when he established the fountains of the deep” (Prov 8:27-28).

The firmament dome surrounded the earth, with its edge meeting at the horizon—“the boundary between light and darkness” (Job 26:10). It was supported by “pillars” or “foundations,” thought to be the tops of mountains, whose peaks appeared to touch the sky. The heavens had doors and windows through which rain or the waters

Welcome to Day 2360 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me.
This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom
Wisdom Nuggets – Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 Daily Wisdom
Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2360

Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2360 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’ll be delving into Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 from the New Living Translation.

In these verses, the Teacher reflects on the cyclical nature of life and the appointed times for various activities. He contrasts the times of sorrow and joy, mourning and dancing, to emphasize the balance and rhythm of life.

Let’s uncover the profound insights found in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8.

Verses 1-2:

“For everything there is a season, a time for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest.”

The Teacher begins by acknowledging the cyclical nature of life and the appointed times for various activities. He recognizes that there is a time for every activity under heaven, including birth and death, planting and harvesting.

What insights can we glean from the Teacher’s reflections on the appointed times for different activities?

The Teacher emphasizes the cyclical nature of life and the appointed times for various activities. He recognizes that life is characterized by seasons, each with its own purpose and timing.

Now, let’s explore verses 3-5.

“A time to kill and a time to heal. A time to tear down and a time to build up. A time to cry and a time to laugh. A time to grieve and a time to dance.”

The Teacher continues to contrast the times of sorrow and joy, mourning and dancing, to emphasize the balance and rhythm of life. He recognizes that there is a time for both destruction and construction, sadness and joy, mourning and dancing.

What insights can we glean from the Teacher’s reflections on the contrasting times of sorrow and joy?

The Teacher highlights the balance and rhythm of life, acknowledging that there is a time for both sorrow and joy, mourning and dancing. He recognizes that life is characterized by a series of contrasts, each contributing to the richness of human experience.

Now, let’s examine verses 6-8.

“A time to search and a time to quit searching. A time to keep and a time to throw away. A time to tear and a time to mend. A time to be quiet and a time to speak. A time to love and a time to hate. A time for war and a time for peace.”

The Teacher continues to contrast various activities and emotions to emphasize the balance and rhythm of life. He acknowledges that there is a time for searching and a time for giving up, a time for keeping and a time for throwing away, a time for tearing and a time for mending. He also recognizes that there is a time for silence and a time for speech, a time for love and a time for hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

What insights can we glean from the Teacher’s reflections on the contrasting times of searching and quitting, keeping and throwing away, tearing and mending, silence and speech, love and hate, war and peace?

The Teacher celebrates the...