Podcasts about Gramps

Welcome to Day 2737 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2737 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 92:8-15 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2737 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day two thousand seven hundred thirty-seven 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. The title of today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Eternal Exaltation and the Flourishing Righteous Today, we conclude our journey through Psalm Ninety-two, the beautiful Song for the Sabbath Day.   We are covering the final, triumphant verses, eight through fifteen, in the New Living Translation. In our last conversation, we affirmed that it is "good to give thanks to the Lord," proclaiming His Unfailing Love in the morning and His Faithfulness in the evening (Psalm Ninety-two, verses one through four).   We wrestled with the temporary flourishing of the wicked—who "sprout like grass"—but concluded that they are destined to be "destroyed forever," for God's thoughts are simply "deeper than anyone can comprehend" (Psalm Ninety-two, verses five through seven). Now, the psalm moves to its magnificent climax.   It declares the eternal nature of God's sovereignty, contrasts the certain ruin of His foes with the flourishing destiny of the righteous, and celebrates the lifelong vitality of those who trust in the Most High.   This final section is a powerful declaration of vindication and blessing, a perfect capstone to the Sabbath celebration. So, let us open our hearts to this triumphant assurance, embracing the destiny of the righteous and the certainty of God's eternal rule. The first segment is: The Eternal Judgment and the Exaltation of the Righteous Psalm Ninety-two: verses eight through eleven But you, O Lord, will remain supreme forever.  Your enemies, Lord, will be destroyed;  all evil doers will be scattered.  But you have made me as strong as a wild ox;  you have poured olive oil on my head.  My eyes have seen the downfall of my enemies;  my ears have heard the defeat of my wicked foes. After acknowledging the fleeting power of the wicked, the psalmist immediately shifts focus to the unchanging reality of God's reign: "But you, O Lord, will remain supreme forever." The "But" is the most important word in the psalm, signaling the ultimate pivot from the temporary to the eternal.   The wicked are ephemeral, but God "will remain supreme forever."   This affirms His sovereignty over all time and space, including His supreme position over the Divine Council, guaranteeing that His justice will prevail. Because God is eternally supreme, the fate of His enemies is sealed: "Your enemies, Lord, will be destroyed; all evil doers will be scattered." This is a prophetic certainty, a final judgment that will

Welcome to Day 2735 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2735 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 92:1-7 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2735 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day two thousand seven hundred thirty-five 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. The title of today's Wisdom-Trek is: A Sabbath Song, The Joy of Proclaiming God's Faithfulness Today, we embark on a journey into Psalm Ninety-two, covering its opening, foundational verses, one through seven, in the New Living Translation. This psalm carries the unique superscription, "A Psalm. A song for the Sabbath Day."   It is a deliberate, joyful declaration of praise and thanksgiving, written specifically for the day of rest. We transition here from the high assurance of Psalm Ninety-one, where we learned that God's faithful promises are our armor and that His angels are ordered to protect us.   Psalm Ninety-two is the natural response to that security: because God is a faithful protector, our lives should overflow with joyful, continuous worship. This psalm invites us to make our lives a perpetual Sabbath, a dedicated time of celebrating God's Unfailing Love and His Faithfulness.   It challenges us to look beyond the temporary flourishing of the wicked and to rest in the wisdom of God's eternal plan. So, let us open our hearts to this song of rest and worship, learning the wisdom of perpetual thanksgiving. The first segment is: The Command and Content of Perpetual Praise Psalm Ninety-two: verses one through four It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High.  It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, and your faithfulness in the evening.  Praise him with the ten-stringed harp, with the melody of the lyre.  For you, O Lord, have made me joyful by your deeds; I sing for joy at the works of your hands. The psalm begins with a simple, profound statement of spiritual fact: "It is good to give thanks to the Lord, to sing praises to the Most High." "Good"   (ṭôḇ) here means more than merely pleasant; it signifies morally and spiritually excellent, the right and proper thing to do.   The focus is squarely on the Most High   (‘Elyōn), the supreme, sovereign God, whose power transcends all earthly and celestial authority, ensuring that our praise is directed to the one true source of all blessing. This praise is meant to be continuous and all-encompassing: "It is good to proclaim your unfailing love in the morning, and your faithfulness in the evening." The psalmist delineates the ideal spiritual rhythm of the day, moving from dawn to dusk.   In the morning, when hope is renewed, we proclaim God's Unfailing Love   (ḥesed), His steadfast,

Welcome to Day 2736 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – The Profound Meaning of "The Name" of the Lord Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2736 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps!   I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2736 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. Our current series of Theology Thursday lessons is written by theologian and teacher John Daniels. I have found that his lessons are short, easy to understand, doctrinally sound, and applicable to all who desire to learn more of God's Word. John's lessons can be found on his website   theologyinfive.com.   Today's lesson is titled The Profound Meaning of “The Name” of the Lord    Understanding the theology of the Ancient Near East is paramount to fully grasp biblical concepts, and the interpretation of “The Name” of the Lord is no exception. God chose to reveal Himself to Abraham and create the nation of Israel within this culture. Because of this, He revealed Himself in ways that would make sense to believers. In the Ancient Near East, the term “Shem” in Hebrew represents far more than a mere title; it encapsulates the very essence, character, authority, and reputation of God. Let's explore this further and then delve into how this understanding impacts our interpretation of the commandment against taking the Lord's name in vain. “The Name” as Divine Essence   In the Ancient Near East, a deity's name was considered to be the embodiment of the divine essence. Likewise, in the Bible, “The Name” of the Lord represents God Himself. This can be seen in Proverbs 18:10: “The Name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe.” Here, “The Name” is equivalent to God's protective power and presence. “The Name” as Manifested Presence   The Name also symbolizes God's manifested presence among His people. When Solomon built the Temple, he believed it to be a dwelling place for God (1 Kings 8:13). However, God clarified that His Name would dwell there, thus emphasizing that His presence transcends physical boundaries. “The Name” as Divine Authority   Invoking a deity's name in the Ancient Near East was a way of drawing on divine authority. Similarly, in the biblical text, “The Name” of the Lord signifies His authority. The misuse of the Lord's Name is cautioned against in Exodus 20:7, underlining the gravity of disrespecting God's authority. “The Name” as Divine Reputation   In Ancient Near East cultures, a deity's name often represented their reputation. In the biblical context, God's Name is a reflection of His character, faithfulness, and commitment to His covenant. As Psalm 23:3 notes, the Lord acts for His Name's sake, demonstrating consistency between His actions and His reputation. Implications for Understanding the Commandment Against Taking the Lord's Name in Vain   With a deeper understanding of “The Name” embodying the essence, presence, authority, and reputation of God, we can reinterpret the commandment against taking the Lord's Name in vain (Exodus 20:7). This commandment is not simply about using God's Name carelessly or disrespectfully in speech. It carries a much broader and deeper meaning. When we take into account the Ancient Near East understanding of “The Name”, to take the Lord's name in vain could imply denying or diminishing God's essence,...

Welcome to Day 2733 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2733 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 91:9-16 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2733 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day two thousand seven hundred thirty-three 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. The title for today's Wisdom-Trek is: Covenant Protection and the Voice of the Almighty - Concluding Psalm Ninety-one Today, we reach the powerful conclusion of our journey through Psalm Ninety-one, one of the most magnificent and comforting psalms of protection in all of Scripture.  We are covering the final verses, nine through sixteen, in the New Living Translation. In our last conversation, we explored the psalm's foundation, discovering that our security comes from dwelling in the "shelter of the Most High" and resting in the "shadow of the Almighty."  We learned that God's faithful promises are our armor, shielding us from terrors of the night and disasters of the day (Psalm Ninety-one, verses one through eight). Now, the psalm moves from the human declaration of trust to the divine confirmation of that protection.  The focus shifts dramatically as God Himself speaks, revealing the profound results of such trust, detailing the role of His angels, and promising rescue, honor, and a long life as the reward for unwavering love.  This transition makes the promise absolute; it is a covenant guarantee spoken from the mouth of the Most High. So, let us open our hearts to this divine dialogue, recognizing the immense power of the promise that awaits those who make the Lord their refuge. This first segment is: The Consequence of Covenant Dwelling Psalm Ninety-one: verses nine through twelve If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home. For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you up with their hands to keep you from stumbling on a stone. The psalmist begins this section by establishing the condition for the promised protection, a condition rooted in faith and intentionality: "If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter." This is an active choice.  It's not enough to intellectually acknowledge God; we must intentionally choose Him as our ultimate safe place, making the Most High  (‘Elyōn), the supreme, sovereign God, our permanent sanctuary. The consequences of this choice are absolute: "no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your home."  This promise of exemption is comprehensive.  "No evil"  (ra‘) and "no plague"  (nega‘, a striking or affliction) can breach the barrier of God's protection.  This is the ultimate security guarantee...

Welcome to Day 2732 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2732 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 91:1-8 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2732 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2732 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. The Title of today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Secret Place of the Most High – Invincible Divine Protection. Today, we embark on a truly magnificent journey into Psalm Ninety-one, one of the most famous and powerful psalms of protection and assurance in all of Scripture.  We are covering its opening, foundational verses, one through eight, in the New Living Translation. In our last conversation, we concluded the Prayer of Moses in Psalm Ninety.  We wrestled with the frailty of human life, the sorrow of its brevity, and ultimately prayed for the wisdom to number our days so we could live with significance.  Now, Psalm Ninety-one provides the covenant solution to that frailty: absolute security found in the eternal refuge of God. While Moses established that man dies under God's righteous anger, Psalm Ninety-one declares that the righteous believer, dwelling in God's presence, is supernaturally shielded from the dangers of the temporal world.  This psalm is an ancient declaration of war against fear, assuring the faithful that they reside in an invincible fortress of divine protection. So, let us open our hearts to this powerful promise, learning how to claim our spiritual citizenship in the Secret Place of the Most High. The First Segment is: The Fortress of Divine Names Psalm Ninety-one: verses one through two Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my fortress, and my God, in whom I trust. This psalm begins not with a request, but with an immediate, unqualified statement of spiritual fact, establishing the location of our security: "Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty." "The shelter"   (sēter) refers to a secret, hidden, or covered place—a sanctuary.  To "live"  (yashab) in this shelter means dwelling there permanently, not just visiting.  This shelter belongs to the Most High  (‘Elyōn), a name emphasizing God's supreme sovereignty over all other powers, spiritual or earthly.  The result of dwelling there is "rest"  (lun)—a profound state of safety and repose—found in the "shadow of the Almighty"   (Shaddai).  The shadow of the Almighty is a powerful image of covering, protection, and cooling relief from the scorching sun of danger. The psalmist then makes this promise intensely personal: "This I declare about the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my fortress, and my God, in whom I trust." This...

Welcome to Day 2731 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – The Divine Council Worldview and the Nations: A Biblical Perspective Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2731 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2731 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. Our current series of Theology Thursday lessons is written by theologian and teacher John Daniels. I have found that his lessons are short, easy to understand, doctrinally sound, and applicable to all who desire to learn more of God's Word. John's lessons can be found on his website   theologyinfive.com  . Today's lesson is titled The Divine Council Worldview and the Nations:  A Biblical Perspective.    The Divine Council Worldview, championed by scholars like Dr. Michael Heiser, offers a fascinating lens through which to interpret the biblical narrative. This worldview posits that Yahweh, the God of Israel, presides over a council of lesser divine beings who were assigned to govern the nations. This podcast explores the key aspects of how this worldview explains the relationship between the divine council and the nations.    The Disinheritance of the Nations    A pivotal moment in the Divine Council Worldview is the incident of the Tower of Babel, described in Genesis Eleven verses one through nine. Humanity's attempt to build a tower reaching the heavens was seen as an act of rebellion against Yahweh. In response, Yahweh confused their language, causing them to scatter across the earth. According to this worldview, this event led to the disinheritance of the nations, as articulated in Deuteronomy thirty-two verse eight and nine.   The passage suggests that the Most High divided the nations and assigned them to be governed by lesser divine beings, while retaining Israel as His own portion.    “When the Most High assigned lands to the nations, when he divided up the human race, he established the boundaries of the peoples according to the number in his heavenly court.[a]  “For the people of Israel belong to the Lord; Jacob is his special possession. ” (Deuteronomy thirty-two, verses eight and nine) Psalm 82: Judgment of the Gods    Psalm eighty-two is a critical text for understanding the Divine Council Worldview. In this Psalm, Yahweh stands in the divine assembly and judges the ‘gods' for their failure to administer justice and righteousness among the nations. These divine beings are condemned for their negligence and are warned of their eventual demise.    God presides over heaven's court; he pronounces judgment on the heavenly beings:  “How long will you hand down unjust decisions by favoring the wicked?    I say, ‘You are gods; you are all children of the Most High.  But you will die like mere mortals and fall like every other ruler.'”    (Psalm...

Welcome to Day 2730 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2760 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 90:10-17 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2730 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2730 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. The title of today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Wisdom to Number Our Days – A Prayer for Satisfaction and Significance Today, we reach the conclusion of the oldest psalm in the Psalter, Psalm Ninety, also known as the timeless Prayer of Moses, covering its remaining verses, ten through seventeen, in the New Living Translation. In our last conversation, we explored the sobering first half of this psalm. Moses established the immense chasm between the eternal God—our “home” and refuge who predates the mountains—and the transient life of man, who vanishes like a “dream” or “grass” that is withered by evening. We acknowledged that our fleeting years are often spent under the cloud of God's righteous anger against sin, as He sets our “secret sins in the light of [His] presence” (Psalm Ninety, verse eight). Now, Moses moves from somber theological reflection to a fervent, practical prayer. Recognizing the brevity and the sorrow of a life lived under divine displeasure, he prays for wisdom, mercy, and ultimate significance. This concluding segment is the mature response to our mortality: since our days are numbered, how can we ensure they are counted for something eternal? So, let us open our hearts to this ancient and vital prayer, learning how to redeem the time God has given us. The first segment is: The Frailty of Life and the Plea for Wisdom Psalm Ninety: verses ten through twelve Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty. But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we fly away. Who can comprehend the power of your anger? Your wrath is as awesome as the fear you deserve. Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom. Moses begins by stating the typical limit of human lifespan, a stark number based on his long experience with the dying generation in the wilderness: "Seventy years are given to us! Some even live to eighty." This lifespan, while a gift, is often limited, but Moses acknowledges that longer life isn't always better: "But even the best years are filled with pain and trouble; soon they disappear, and we fly away." This speaks to a universal truth: even the healthiest and most prosperous years have their share of hardship—a reality that the ancient Israelites knew...

Welcome to Day 2728 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2728 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 90:1-9 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2728 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2728 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. The Title for Today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Eternal Refuge and the Fleeting Shadow of Man - A Trek Through Psalm Ninety: Verses One through Nine Today, we embark on a profound, philosophical, and deeply spiritual journey as we open Psalm Ninety, covering its opening verses, one through nine, in the New Living Translation. This Psalm carries a rare and significant superscription: "A prayer of Moses, the man of God." Written by the great lawgiver himself, this psalm is widely regarded as the oldest in the Psalter, born from the crucible of the forty years of wandering in the wilderness. It is a sober meditation on the frailty of human life and the eternity of God, composed during a time when an entire generation was dying off due to their rebellion against the divine decree. We transition here from the anguished question of the Davidic Covenant's failure in Psalm Eighty-nine—where the psalmist wrestled with God's apparent abandonment—to a foundational truth: man's mortality is not a failure of God's promise, but an unchangeable reality of human existence after the fall. Moses reminds us that before we can grasp God's promises, we must first confront our own fleeting nature. This psalm is essential wisdom for our trek; it sets the proper scale and context for our brief time on earth. So, let us open our hearts to this ancient prayer, recognizing the immense gap between the eternal God and the transient life of man. The first section is: The Eternal God, Our Dwelling Place Psalm Ninety: verses one through two Lord, through all the generations you have been our home. Before the mountains were born, before you gave birth to the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting, you are God. Moses begins his prayer not by complaining about the hardship of the wilderness, but by affirming God's eternal nature and His relationship to humanity: "Lord, through all the generations you have been our home." The word "home" (ma‘ôn) means dwelling place, refuge, or habitation. Moses is looking back over the entire history of the covenant people—from Abraham to the present wilderness generation—and declaring that God, not a physical tent or a specific land, has been their constant, reliable dwelling place. This concept provides profound security: in a transient world, subject to change and decay, God is the one permanent, unshakeable refuge for His people. Moses then paints a cosmic picture of God's...

Welcome to Day 2727 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2727 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 89:38-52 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2727 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2727 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. The titled of today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Question of Abandonment – Why Did the Unbreakable Covenant Break? Today, we confront the deepest theological crisis in Psalm Eighty-nine, covering its final, devastating verses: thirty-eight through fifty-two in the New Living Translation. This psalm, a Maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite, is built entirely on the unconditional promise of the Davidic Covenant. In our previous treks, we celebrated the eternal assurance given to David: God promised His Unfailing Love, (ḥesed), would never be removed, and that even if David's descendants sinned, God would punish them with a rod, "But I will never stop loving him, nor will I ever be untrue to my promise."  This was the bedrock: an unbreakable oath, secured by God's very holiness, with the moon as its "faithful witness in the sky." Now, the psalmist transitions abruptly and violently from this glorious assurance to the horrifying reality of his present moment: the Davidic throne has fallen, the sanctuary is ruined, and the king is humiliated. This section is a profound communal lament, a desperate cry that asks: "If Your promise is eternal, why is our reality so utterly destroyed? Why did the unbreakable covenant break?" This lament models how the righteous wrestle with the apparent contradiction between God's revealed truth and their crushing suffering. So, let's immerse ourselves in this agonizing confrontation, acknowledging the pain of disappointment and the desperation of clinging to truth when all hope seems lost. The first section is: The Divine Abandonment and the Ruin of the King Psalm Eighty-nine: thirty-eight through forty-five But now you have rejected him and cast him aside, and your anger burns against your anointed one. You have renounced your covenant with your servant and tossed his crown in the dust. You have broken down all the walls of his city and reduced his strongholds to ruins. Everyone who comes by has plundered him; he has become the scorn of his neighbors. You have strengthened the arms of his foes and filled all his enemies with joy. You have made his sword useless and refused to help him in battle. You have ended his glory and overthrown his throne. You have cut his youth in half and covered him with shame....

Welcome to Day 2726 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – When Honor Fails: David, Uriah, and the Call to Covenant Faithfulness. Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2726 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2726 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, we are beginning a new series of Theology Thursday lessons. These lessons are written by theologeon and teacher John Daniels. I have found that his lessons are short, easy to understand, doctrinally sound, and applicable to all who desire to learn more of God's Word. John's lessons can be found at on his website theologyinfive.com Today's lesson is titled When Honor Fails:  David, Uriah, and the Call to Covenant Faithfulness. In the world of the Ancient Near East, honor and shame defined the structure of society. A person's standing in the community determined their worth, and shame was not merely personal; it was public, often irreversible, and tied to familial and tribal identity. Kings were at the pinnacle of this structure. They were expected to maintain their honor at all costs and were often considered above moral reproach so long as their image remained intact. This cultural context is essential to understanding the events of 2 Samuel 11–12. David, Israel's most celebrated king, commits adultery with Bathsheba and then conspires to cover up the sin by manipulating her husband, Uriah. Every move David makes is calculated to preserve his reputation. He is not initially concerned with righteousness, justice, or repentance. He is concerned with avoiding shame. It is important to note that this cultural dynamic is not just ancient history. Honor and shame continue to shape many societies today, especially across the Middle East. The need to maintain family honor and avoid public disgrace often overrides considerations of justice or truth. Understanding this helps modern readers appreciate how deeply embedded these values were in David's world and how bold the biblical response to his actions truly is. Uriah: A Foil of Integrity When David realizes Bathsheba is pregnant, he summons Uriah home from the battlefield under false pretenses. David's goal is simple: get Uriah to sleep with his wife so that the pregnancy will appear legitimate. But Uriah refuses. His reason is not based on suspicion or bitterness. It is rooted in covenantal loyalty and military discipline. He declares that while the ark, Israel, and Judah dwell in tents, and his fellow soldiers are in the field, he will not indulge in the comforts of home. This is not mere stubbornness. Uriah was a seasoned warrior, one of David's elite mighty men. He would have recognized the oddity of being called back so abruptly. The king's urgent, repeated encouragements to go home, and later his attempt to intoxicate him, would have made David's intent obvious. And yet, Uriah held firm. He would not be manipulated. Even inebriated, he acted more righteously than David did while sober. In this, Uriah becomes a moral mirror. His unwavering integrity exposes David's corruption. He represents what covenant faithfulness looks like: loyal to his comrades, obedient to higher principles, and unwilling to compromise. He is not just a victim. He is the righteous foil whose...

Welcome to Day 2725 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2725 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 89:30-37 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2725 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2725 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. The Title of this Wisdom-Trek is: Covenant and Correction – The Unfailing Promise Beyond Sin Today, we continue our deep exploration of the magnificent Psalm Eighty-nine, focusing on the pivotal verses thirty through thirty-seven in the New Living Translation. This psalm is a grand meditation on the Davidic Covenant, which we covered in detail in our previous trek. We heard God's unbreakable oath to David, promising an eternal dynasty, an unwavering hand of support, and the title of "firstborn, the mightiest of all kings on earth." The core message was the perpetuity of the throne, guaranteed by God's eternal Unfailing Love  (ḥesed). Now, the psalm addresses the inevitable question that hangs over any covenant involving human beings: What happens when David's descendants sin? This section provides the powerful, compassionate, and definitive answer. God assures the Davidic line that while sin will bring discipline and punishment, it will never break the covenant itself. This distinction between temporary discipline and eternal covenant is the central theological assurance of this passage, and it's vital for anchoring our hope. So, let's open our hearts and minds to this profound divine teaching on the nature of grace, discipline, and eternal commitment. The first section is: The Reality of Sin and the Necessity of Discipline Psalm Eighty-nine: thirty through thirty-two  "But if your descendants forsake my instructions and fail to live by my regulations, if they ignore my decrees and disobey my commands, then I will punish their sin with the rod, and their rebellion with whipping." God, who speaks through the prophetic vision in this psalm, moves directly to the problem of human failure. This is a realistic covenant; God knows that David's descendants, like all human rulers, will be prone to failure: "But if your descendants forsake my instructions and fail to live by my regulations..." The "But if" introduces the conditional clause, the possibility of covenant violation by the human party. The psalmist emphasizes the deliberate nature of their potential disobedience. They don't just forget; they "forsake" God's instructions (tōrôt, the divine teaching or law), and they "fail to live by my regulations" (mishpaṭîm, the divine judgments or legal decrees). This is a profound failure of both heart and deed. They ignore the wisdom that we seek here on the trek! The condition of sin is...

Welcome to Day 2723 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2723 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 89:19-29 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2723 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2723 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. The Title of Today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Eternal Throne, God's Unbreakable Promise to David  A Trek Through Psalm eighty-nine 19-29 This psalm, a Maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite, is the grand meditation on the Davidic Covenant. In our previous conversations, we've heard the psalmist anchor his hope in God's eternal Unfailing Love and Faithfulness. He established God's cosmic power as the guarantor of this promise, declaring that God rules the oceans, owns the heavens and the earth, and that Righteousness and Justice are the very foundation of His throne. Now, the psalm moves to the actual historical declaration of the covenant itself. God speaks directly to the prophet, recalling the moment He chose David, anointed him, and laid out the spectacular, eternal nature of the promise. This section details the divine foundation of David's kingdom, promising an unwavering presence, decisive victories, and a dynasty that will endure longer than the heavens. This is the unbreakable contract that is meant to sustain Israel's hope, even when all else fails. So, let's open our hearts and minds to this profound divine revelation, recognizing the depth of God's commitment to His chosen king. The first section is: God's Sovereign Choice and Anointing Psalm eighty-none 19-21 You once spoke to your faithful prophets in a vision and said, "I have raised up a warrior who is mighty, chosen him from the people. I have found my servant David; I have anointed him with my sacred oil. I will steady him with my hand; with my powerful arm, I will make him strong." The psalm now shifts to a recollection of the original prophetic vision that established the covenant. The psalmist reminds the people that God didn't make this promise lightly; He spoke in a vision to His "faithful prophets" (or 'saints,' referencing those in the Divine Council who hear and proclaim God's decrees). God announces His sovereign choice: "I have raised up a warrior who is mighty, chosen him from the people." This directly references David's humble beginnings. David was not chosen from a royal line or a place of prominence; he was chosen "from the people," from the fields, as a mere shepherd, defying all human expectation. Yet, God elevates him, recognizing his internal character, describing him as a "warrior who is mighty." God confirms His personal relationship and investment: "I have found my servant David; I have anointed him with my sacred...

Welcome to Day 2722 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2722 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 89:19-18 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2722 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2722 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. The Title for today's Wisdom-Trek is: God's Cosmic Dominion – The Unrivaled Strength of the Almighty - A Trek Through Psalm Eighty-Nine 9-18 This psalm is a grand meditation on God's covenant faithfulness, and this middle section serves to powerfully establish God's absolute cosmic power as the guarantor of that covenant. In our last conversation, we heard the psalmist, Ethan the Ezrahite, begin with an eternal commitment to sing of God's Unfailing Love and Faithfulness forever. He anchored that hope in the Davidic Covenant—God's eternal promise of an unending dynasty—and affirmed God's supremacy over the Divine Council, declaring that no angel can compare with Him. Now, Ethan shifts from the celestial courtroom to the vastness of creation, demonstrating that the God who made that eternal promise is the only One powerful enough to keep it. He is the God who calms the raging sea, defeats the ancient powers of chaos, and possesses all the power, righteousness, and justice necessary to sustain His promise forever. This is a powerful, awe-inspiring affirmation designed to build our confidence in the absolute authority of the Most High. So, let's open our hearts to this declaration of God's universal sovereignty, recognizing the immense power of the One who holds us in His hand. The first section is: Taming the Chaos: The Ruler of the Seas (Psalm eighty-nine 9-12) You rule the oceans when their waves surge high. You are the one who smashed the great sea monster, Rahab, and scattered your enemies with a mighty arm. The heavens are yours, and the earth is yours; everything in the world is made by your hands. You created north and south. Mount Tabor and Mount Hermon praise your name. The psalmist begins by affirming God's absolute dominion over one of the most terrifying forces in the ancient world: the sea. "You rule the oceans when their waves surge high." In the ancient Israelite worldview, the sea was often seen as a symbol of chaos, instability, and raw, untamable power. For God to "rule the oceans" means He exercises complete control over the very forces of chaos and destruction. When the waves surge in fury, God is the supreme authority who limits them and commands their retreat. This dominion over chaos is illustrated by a great historical and mythical allusion: "You are the one who smashed the great sea monster, Rahab, and scattered your enemies with a mighty arm." "Rahab" is often used in the Old Testament as a mythical figure representing primeval chaos, similar to the sea monsters Yam and Leviathan. More practically, it is a symbolic

Welcome to Day 2721 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – “Ruling Over Angels” – Supernatural Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2721 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2721 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, we continue with the 16th  and final segment of this series of Theology Thursday lessons. Next week we will begin a new series. Today, I am reading the final chapter of the book "Supernatural," written by Hebrew Bible scholar, professor, and mentor Dr. Michael S. Heiser, who has since passed away. Supernatural is a condensed version of his comprehensive book, ‘The Unseen Realm.' If these readings pique your interest, I would recommend that you read ‘The Unseen Realm.' Today, we will read through chapter sixteenth: “Ruling over Angels” It's crucial to our faith that we understand who we are as Christians. We are the sons and daughters of God, a re-fashioned divine council that already participates in our Father's kingdom. But there's more to it than that. Yes, we are God's family council—but to what end? While we are already in the kingdom (Colosians 1:13), we have not yet seen the full unveiling of that kingdom—we have not seen the world become Eden. This “already, but not yet” paradox runs throughout the Bible in many ways. In this chapter, I want to give you a glimpse of the “not yet” that answers the question “To what end?” Let's look at our Kingdom Participation Now Our participation in God's kingdom isn't predetermined, in this sense: We are not mere robots performing functions programmed for us. That violates the whole idea of being God's imager, his representative. We were created to be like him. He is free. If we do not have genuine freedom, we cannot be like him—by definition, we would not be like him. We are free to obey and worship, or rebel and indulge ourselves. And we will reap what we sow. Our sowing is not programmed. But God is greater than we are. He had a plan and it will come to pass. Its success neither depends on nor is forced to adapt to human freedom. We cannot undermine it—nor can the divine beings who are also free to choose. Think about the heavenly council meeting I showed you in chapter 1. I asked whether you believed the things the Bible says, and then took you to a meeting of God and his heavenly council in First Kings 22. God had decreed (and so it must happen) that it was time for wicked Ahab to die. But God then let the spirit beings in his council decide how to accomplish that (First Kings 22, verses 19–23). Predestination and freedom work hand-in-hand in God's kingdom rule. His purposes will never be overturned or halted. He is able to take sin and rebellion and still accomplish—through other free representatives—what he desires. As C. S. Lewis once said of God (in the book Perelandra), “Whatever you do, He will make good of it. But not the good He had...

Welcome to Day 2720 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2720 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 89:1-8 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2720 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2720 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. The Title for Today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Eternal Song of God's Unfailing Love - A Trek Through Psalm Eighty Nine 1-8 Today, we begin a new, pivotal, and magnificent chapter in our journey through the Psalms: Psalm Eighty-Nine. We are covering its opening, foundational verses 1 through 8, in the New Living Translation. This psalm is a Maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite. Ethan, like Heman from the deeply sorrowful Psalm Eighty-Eight we just concluded, was one of the wise men and musicians of Solomon's time. Yet, where Psalm 88 ended in the absolute darkness of suffering and silence, Psalm Eighty-nine explodes with a powerful, unrelenting declaration of faith in God's two greatest attributes: His Unfailing Love and His Faithfulness. This psalm is the theological answer to Heman's despair! It essentially says, "Even when I feel consumed by darkness, even when God's fury seems heavy upon me, I will still sing of His steadfast love!" Psalm 89 is a grand meditation on the Davidic Covenant, a promise from God that established David's throne forever. The opening verses are a magnificent hymn, celebrating the God whose word is established in the heavens and whose power is unrivaled, even in the Divine Council. So, let's allow this hymn of divine promise to lift our hearts and anchor our hope in the unwavering character of the Most High God. The first section is: The Eternal Covenant of Love and Faithfulness (Psalm Eighty-Nine 1-4) I will sing of the Lord's unfailing love forever! Young and old will hear of your faithfulness. Your unfailing love will last forever; your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens. The Lord said, "I have made a covenant with my chosen servant; I have solemnly promised David: ‘I will secure your throne among your descendants forever; I will make your dynasty last as long as the skies!'" Interlude The psalm opens with an immediate, resolute, and eternal commitment to praise: "I will sing of the Lord's unfailing love forever!" This is a personal vow, made by the psalmist, that will last for all time. The focus is squarely on God's "unfailing love" (ḥesed), that steadfast, covenant loyalty we've discussed so many times. It is the core quality of God's character that guarantees His adherence to His promises. The declaration to sing of it "forever" contrasts starkly with the finite life and suffering Heman described in the last psalm. Here, the emphasis is on the infinite nature of God's...

Welcome to Day 2718 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2718 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 88:8-18 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2718 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2718 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. The Title of Today's Wisdom-Trek is: The Loneliest Road – Despair's Final, Unanswered Cry - Concluding Our Trek Through Psalm 88 8-18 Today, we continue our difficult, yet necessary, trek through the Darkest Psalm, Psalm 88, encompassing its final, unrelenting verses, 8 through 18, from the New Living Translation. In our last conversation, we plunged into the depths of Heman the Ezrahite's anguish. We heard his cries "day and night," his fear of imminent death, and his terrifying conviction that his suffering was caused by God's own hand. He felt consumed by "wave after wave" of God's heavy fury and was "abandoned to the depths where the darkness is complete" (Psalm 88 1-7). He had been physically and socially ostracized, counted among the dead while still living. Now, Heman continues his agonizing lament, focusing on his extreme isolation, his unanswered questions, and the ultimate, grim realization that his prayer, unlike nearly every other in the Psalter, ends in unrelieved darkness. This psalm is a profound space for acknowledging that deep despair is real, and that faith often persists even when hope is absent. So, let's listen to this desperate, final cry, recognizing the absolute honesty of a soul on the brink. Section one is about: The Torment of Social and Divine Isolation (Psalm 88 8-12) You have taken away my companions, making me repulsive to them. I am shut in and cannot escape; my eyes are blinded by my tears. I cry out to you, O Lord, every day. I lift my hands to you for help. Are your wonderful deeds appreciated in the grave? Do the dead rise up and praise you? Can anyone proclaim your unfailing love in the grave? Can anyone tell about your faithfulness in the place of destruction? Can your wonders be seen in the dark? Can your righteousness be known in the land of forgetfulness? Heman begins by detailing the social consequence of his affliction, a pain he attributes directly to God: "You have taken away my companions, making me repulsive to them." . His isolation is absolute. God has severed his social ties, causing his friends and loved ones to view him as "repulsive" (tō‘ēḇâ—abominable, a strong term often used for ritual impurity). In the ancient Israelite world, social isolation often meant a lack of care, protection, and provision, leaving him utterly defenseless. This isolation leads to profound emotional and physical paralysis: "I am shut in

Welcome to Day 2717 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2717 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 88:1-7 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2717 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2717 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's Wisdom-Trek title is: The Darkest Night – A Descent into Unrelenting Anguish - A Trek Through Psalm 88:1-7 Today, we take a dramatic, almost jarring turn from the prophetic joy of our last trek. We leave the magnificent vision of Zion, the Mother of All Nations, in Psalm 87, where "All my fresh springs are in Zion," and descend into the deepest, most unrelenting anguish found anywhere in the Psalter. We're beginning our trek through Psalm 88 in the New Living Translation, focusing on its opening verses, 1-7. Psalm 88 is known as the Darkest Psalm; a lament so profound that it offers no resolution, no light, no final affirmation of hope. It is the only psalm that ends entirely in darkness, yet it remains one of the most honest and necessary expressions of faith. It's attributed to Heman the Ezrahite, a name associated with wisdom and music in the time of Solomon. The superscription describes it as a Mahlath Leannoth, which indicates a somber, deeply serious tone, perhaps even associated with affliction. This psalm gives voice to the absolute bottom of human despair, where suffering is so complete that the afflicted can only see God's hand in their misery. It's a crucial reminder that faith is not defined by perpetual happiness, but by honest persistence—crying out to God even when we believe He is the one inflicting the pain. So, let's approach this psalm with reverence and humility, recognizing that it provides a sacred space for the deepest human suffering. This first section is: A Desperate Cry for Morning and Night (Psalm 88:1-3) O Lord, God of my salvation, I cry out to you day and night. Let my prayer come right into your presence. Listen closely to my cry. For my life is full of troubles, and death is waiting for me. The psalmist begins with an immediate and relentless cry, yet he grounds his plea in a recognition of God's character: "O Lord, God of my salvation, I cry out to you day and night." Even in his anguish, he calls God the "God of my salvation," a title that acknowledges God's past role as a deliverer, even if He is not acting as one now. This is a crucial flicker of faith—he addresses God based on who God is, not merely on how God feels to him right now. But his distress is relentless, forcing him to cry out "day and night," indicating unceasing torment and insomnia. There is no rest from his misery. His appeal for divine attention is urgent: "Let my prayer come right into your presence. Listen closely to my cry." This echoes pleas we've heard before, such as in Psalm 86, where David asked God to "Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer," but here, the tone is more...

Welcome to Day 2716 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – “Partakers of  the Divine Nature” – Supernatural Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2716 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2716 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, we continue with the 15th of 16 segments of our Theology Thursday lessons. I will read through the book "Supernatural," written by Hebrew Bible scholar, professor, and mentor Dr. Michael S. Heiser, who has since passed away. Supernatural is a condensed version of his comprehensive book, ‘The Unseen Realm.' If these readings pique your interest, I would recommend that you read ‘The Unseen Realm.' Today, we will read through chapter Fifteen: “Partakers of the Divine Nature” Do you know who you are? I asked the question earlier, but it's time to raise it again. Yes, we are in the world but not of it. True, we have been saved by grace through faith in what Jesus did on the cross (Ephesians 2:8-9). But that's just the beginning of understanding what God has been up to. God's original intention in Eden was to merge his human family with his divine family —the heavenly sons of God who existed before creation (Job 38:7–8). He didn't abandon that plan at the fall. Christian, you will be made divine, like one of God's elohim children, like Jesus himself (1 John 3:1–3). Theologians refer to the idea by many labels. The most common is glorification. Peter referred to it as becoming “partakers of the divine nature” (2 Peter 1:4). John put it this way: “See what kind of love the Father has given to us, that we should be called children of God; and so we are” (1 John 3:1, emphasis added). In this chapter, we'll take a look at how the Bible conveys that message. Sons of God, Seed of Abraham When God turned the nations of the world over to lesser gods at Babel, he did so knowing he would start over with a new human family of his own. God called Abraham (Genesis 12:1–8) right after Babel (Genesis 11:1–9). Through Abraham and his wife Sarah, God would return to his original Edenic plan. God's people, the children of Abraham, the Israelites, ultimately failed to restore God's good rule on earth. But one of those children would succeed. God would become man in Jesus, a descendant of David, Abraham, and Adam. And it was through Jesus that God's promise to one day bless the nations he had punished at Babel was fulfilled. Paul wrote about that in several places. Here are two: According to revelation the mystery was made known to me, just as I wrote beforehand in brief, so that you may be able when you read to understand my insight into the mystery of Christ: … that the Gentiles are fellow heirs, and fellow members of the body, and fellow sharers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.” (Ephesians 3:3–6) For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus.… There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is...

Welcome to Day 2715 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2715 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 87:1-7 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2715 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2715 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's podcast title is: Zion's Global Citizenship – The Mother of All Nations - A Trek Through Psalm 87:1-7 Today, we embark on a truly extraordinary trek through Psalm 87, covering its entirety, verses 1 through 7, in the New Living Translation. This psalm, though short, contains one of the most magnificent and radical prophetic visions in all of Scripture: the expansion of God's people to include all nations, with Zion as their spiritual birthplace. After the personal laments of David in Psalm 86, where he affirmed that "You alone are God" and prayed for a sign of divine favor, Psalm 87 gives us the cosmic answer. God's universal sovereignty, which David proclaimed, is revealed here as a sovereign plan to bring all the nations that worshiped those "pagan gods" (Psalm 86:8) into the fold of His redeemed people. It transforms the physical city of Jerusalem into the spiritual mother of a global family. This psalm offers a breathtaking vision of inclusivity, unity, and hope. It assures us that God's plan is not confined to one place or one people, but extends to encompass the entire world. So, let's open our hearts to this global, prophetic masterpiece and grasp the meaning of Zion's ultimate citizenship. This first section is: The Foundation of God's Global Home Psalm 87:1-3 On the holy mountain stands the city founded by the Lord. He loves the city of Jerusalem more than any other city in Israel. O city of God, glorious things are said of you! Interlude The psalm begins by firmly establishing the foundation and significance of God's chosen city: "On the holy mountain stands the city founded by the Lord." This refers, of course, to Mount Zion, the site of Jerusalem and the Temple. This city's foundation is unique: it was "founded by the Lord." This wasn't merely a strategic military outpost; it was a sovereign choice by God, making it the center of His earthly operations and the place where He chose to place His name. This Divine choice elevates Jerusalem above every other place. The psalmist emphasizes the depth of God's affection for this city: "He loves the city of Jerusalem more than any other city in Israel." While God certainly loved all His covenant people and their territories, Jerusalem, where His Temple was located, held a unique and profound place in His heart. This divine love is the source of the city's power and destiny. And the result of this divine foundation and affection is its glorious reputation: "O city of God, glorious things are said of you! Interlude" The "glorious things" (niphla'ot) are God's wondrous deeds and promises. This declaration is a prophetic forecast of Zion's future fame, where its status as God's chosen dwelling place would be known and celebrated...

INSPIRING COMEBACK STORY

Welcome to Day 2713 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2713 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 86:11-17 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2713 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2713 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. The Path of Truth and the Mark of God's Favor Today, we reach the powerful conclusion of our conversation in Psalm 86, covering verses 11 through 17 in the New Living Translation. In our last trek, we explored the first half of this deeply personal Prayer of David. We heard his desperate cry for God to "Bend down... and hear my prayer," pleading for help based on his covenant loyalty and trust. He grounded his hope in the magnificent truth that God is "so good, so ready to forgive," and that "You alone are God"—unrivaled by any pagan deity. Now, David shifts from affirming God's character to asking for divine instruction, recognizing that a proper relationship with the Most High requires understanding His will. His prayer moves from dependence to direction, culminating in a powerful affirmation of God's steadfast love and a request for a visible sign of God's favor to silence his adversaries. This final section is a masterclass in how to ask God for guidance and how to confidently claim His mercy. So, let's open our hearts to David's earnest request, learning the wisdom of seeking God's path and resting in His enduring love. The Prayer for an Undivided Heart Psalm 86:11-13 Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me singleness of heart, that I may fear your name. With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God. I will give glory to your name forever. For your unfailing love is great. You have rescued me from the depths of death. Having established God's greatness and unique power, David's first request is for instruction: "Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth!" . This is the ultimate expression of submission and discipleship! David isn't praying for wealth or comfort; he's asking for wisdom and direction. He wants to know God's "ways" (derekh—His path, His pattern of acting) so that his life can align with God's "truth" ('emet—His faithfulness and reliability). This is the prayer of the mature believer: Show me how to live in a way that truly honors who You are. He immediately connects this knowledge to internal integrity: "Grant me singleness of heart, that I may fear your name." The Hebrew phrase translated "singleness of heart" (yaḥad lēḇāḇ) means "to unite the heart." David recognizes the divided, often-conflicted nature of the human heart, which pulls us in different directions. He asks God to make his focus singular, eliminating all spiritual distraction, so that his reverence and awe (fear) for...

Welcome to Day 2712 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2712 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 86:1-10 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2712 Wisdom-Trek: The Helpless Plea and the Unrivaled God - A Trek Through Psalm 86:1-10 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2712 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, we begin a new, deeply personal, and highly encouraging trek through Psalm 86, covering its opening verses, 1 through 10, in the New Living Translation. This psalm is a Prayer of David, a compilation of fervent pleas and confident affirmations, drawing wisdom and themes from many other laments and hymns throughout the Psalter. It moves from a desperate cry for immediate help, anchored in the psalmist's humility and helplessness, to a magnificent declaration of God's unrivaled greatness and universal sovereignty. In the preceding psalm, Psalm 85, we found the people waiting and listening for God's peace and the divine harmony where love and truth would meet. Psalm 86 is the personal response to that longing: a realization that the first step toward receiving God's peace is to humbly and completely cast oneself upon His mercy. It reminds us that our smallness is precisely what qualifies us for God's greatness! So, let's open our hearts to David's personal plea, learning how our deepest distress can become the foundation for our most powerful declarations of faith. The Urgent Plea of the Helpless Servant Psalm 86:1-5 Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer; answer me, for I need your help. Protect me, for I am devoted to you. Save me, for I serve you and trust you. You are my God. Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I cry out to you all day long. Give me happiness, O Lord, for I give myself to you. O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive. You are filled with unfailing love for all who ask for your help. The psalm begins with an immediate, physical, and urgent plea for God's attention: "Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer; answer me, for I need your help." The image of God having to "bend down" speaks volumes! It paints a picture of the psalmist being utterly low, perhaps bowed down by trouble, while God is high and majestic. It's an urgent request for the transcendent God to condescend, to lean in, and to acknowledge the smallness of the one who prays. David anchors his plea in his current state, identifying himself through multiple titles of vulnerability and faith: "Protect me, for I am devoted to you. Save me, for I serve you and trust you. You are my God." He uses three compelling reasons for God to intervene: Devotion: "I am devoted to you," or "I am holy" (hasid)—meaning he is a loyal, faithful follower of God. Service: "I serve...

Welcome to Day 2711 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – “Not of This World” – Supernatural Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2711 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2711 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, we continue with the 14th of 16 segments of our Theology Thursday lessons. I will read through the book "Supernatural," written by Hebrew Bible scholar, professor, and mentor Dr. Michael S. Heiser, who has since passed away. Supernatural is a condensed version of his comprehensive book, ‘The Unseen Realm.' If these readings pique your interest, I would recommend that you read ‘The Unseen Realm.' Today, we will read through chapter fourteen: “Not of This World” In Jesus' well-known prayer in the garden of Gethsemane before he was arrested for trial, he said of his followers, “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world” (John 17:16). Believers were certainly in the world, specially tasked by God to carry the gospel to every nation (Matt. 28:19–20), but they were not of the world. This paradox—being in the world but not of it—was telegraphed to early Christians in several memorable ways… Sacred Space, Holy Ground, and God's Presence… In chapter 8 we talked about the concept of sacred space. For Old Testament Israelites, God was completely other. The space his presence occupied was set apart from all other space. That wasn't a denial that God was omnipresent—in all places at all times. Rather, it was a way of marking the territory on which he chose to meet with his people. That was one of the purposes for having the tabernacle and the temple. The concept of sacred space was not only the rationale for many of Israel's laws and rituals, but it also reinforced the idea of cosmic geography​—how the world was divided among the lesser gods and the Most High God, the God of Israel… The notion of sacred space gets brought into the New Testament in a dramatic way. All we need to ask is, “Where is the presence of God right now?” While God is everywhere, he specifically dwells within each believer. Believe it or not, you are sacred space. Paul very clearly wrote that “your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit” (1 Cor. 6:19)… The same is true of the ground where believers gather as a group. Writing to the church at Corinth, Paul told them collectively, “You are God's temple” (1 Cor. 3:16). He told the Ephesian believers they were “members of the household of God … a holy temple in the Lord. In him you also are built together into a dwelling place for God by the Spirit” (Eph. 2:19, 21–22)… The implications are startling. Most of us are familiar with Jesus' statement, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there in the midst of them” (Matt. 18:20 leb). But viewed in the context of the Old Testament idea of sacred space, that statement means that wherever believers gather, the spiritual ground they occupy is sanctified amid the powers of darkness… Yahweh's final chosen dwelling place in the Old Testament was Israel—the temple in Jerusalem. Israel became holy ground because that's where God's presence resided. But that holy ground was threatened by the nations that surrounded it and their hostile gods. In the same way, believers today are in a spiritual war. We are now...

Welcome to Day 2710 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2710 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 85:8-13 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2710 Wisdom-Trek: The Divine Harmony of Grace and Truth - Concluding Our Trek Through Psalm 85:8-13 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2710 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, we reach the powerful conclusion of our conversation in Psalm 85, covering verses 8 through 13 in the New Living Translation. In our last trek, we explored the first half of this poignant communal lament. We heard the people's prayer for revival, anchored in God's past faithfulness: "You have restored the fortunes of Israel," and "You have forgiven the guilt of your people" (Psalm 85:1-3). Yet, their plea was urgent, asking God to "restore us again" and to "show us your unfailing love" (Psalm 85:4, 7). They were caught in the "in-between," that painful gap between the miracle of the return from exile and the full, glorious reality of true national revival. Now, the psalmist shifts from pleading to listening, confident that God will speak peace and provide the perfect vision for their complete restoration. This final section beautifully describes how God's saving presence will transform the land and the people, bringing a divine harmony where love and truth, justice and peace, meet and embrace. This vision of God's saving power is the glorious answer to their cry for restoration. So, let's open our hearts to this prophetic promise, recognizing the divine symmetry that only God can orchestrate. This first section it titled, The Promise of Peace and the Meeting of Virtues (Psalm 85:8-11) I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people. But let them not return to foolish ways. Surely his salvation is near to those who fear him, so our land will be filled with his glory. Unfailing love and truth have met together. Righteousness and peace have kissed! The psalmist makes a conscious, deliberate choice here to stop pleading and start listening: "I listen carefully to what God the Lord is saying, for he speaks peace to his faithful people." This is a pivotal moment in any lament! After pouring out our anxiety and our fears, the next step is to quiet our souls and incline our ear towards the divine. The psalmist expresses confidence that God will speak "peace" (shalom), which, in the Hebrew worldview, is not just the absence of conflict, but total well-being, harmony, and wholeness. This promise of shalom is conditional: "But let them not return to foolish ways." God's people must actively participate in their own revival. The restoration is offered, but they must choose to walk away from the spiritual "foolish ways" that led to their former suffering. The warning is clear: true peace requires sustained obedience and...

Welcome to Day 2708 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2708 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 85:1-7 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2708 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2708 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, we begin a new and profoundly hopeful conversation, continuing our journey through the Psalms with Psalm 85 in the New Living Translation, encompassing its opening verses, 1 through 7. Psalm 85 is another Communal Lament, a prayer of profound longing for national revival and restoration. It is widely believed to have been written after the return of the Jewish exiles from Babylon, a time when the physical journey home was complete, but the spiritual and political realities were far from the glorious restoration promised by the prophets. The Temple was still being rebuilt, the nation was weak, and the initial burst of post-exilic joy had given way to discouragement and doubt. This psalm is a beautiful and necessary transition from the previous psalms. In Psalm 84, we heard the joyous longing for God's presence, declaring that "a single day in your courts is better than a thousand anywhere else" (Psalm 84:10). Now, in Psalm 85, the people acknowledge that same presence but ask God to complete the work of salvation. They remember God's past faithfulness and use it as an urgent argument for Him to move again in the present. This is the prayer of a people who have seen God move, but whose current circumstances demand a fresh move of divine power. So, let's open our hearts to this fervent prayer for revival, feeling the weight of hope and the desperate need for God's face to shine upon His people once again. Remembering Past Favor, Pleading for Present Peace (Psalm 85:1-3) Lord, you have poured out amazing blessings on your land! You have restored the fortunes of Israel. You have forgiven the guilt of your people— yes, you have covered all their sins. You have withdrawn your furious anger and turned away from your blazing wrath. The psalm begins not with a complaint, but with a confident historical acknowledgment of God's past goodness, a crucial starting point for any plea for revival: "Lord, you have poured out amazing blessings on your land! You have restored the fortunes of Israel." This immediately grounds the prayer in God's proven faithfulness. The psalmist remembers the great work God has already done, specifically the Restoration from exile. God had indeed acted, bringing the people back from Babylon, pouring out "amazing blessings" (literally, "been favorable" or "showed favor") upon their land. He "restored the fortunes of Israel" (shuv shevut), a technical term used by the prophets for the major act of bringing the exiles home and reversing their national calamity. This physical restoration was rooted in a spiritual reality: "You have forgiven the guilt of your people—yes, you have covered all their sins." The ultimate blessing of the return was not just the rebuilding of the walls

Welcome to Day 2707 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2707 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 84:1-12– Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2707 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2707 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's Wisdom Nugget is titled: A Thirst for Your Presence – The Pilgrim's Joyful Journey - A Trek Through Psalm 84:1-12 Guthrie Chamberlain: Welcome to Wisdom-Trek, your compass for navigating the profound landscapes of faith and life. I'm your guide, Guthrie Chamberlain, and today, we begin a new and deeply moving journey, a beautiful pilgrimage through Psalm 84 in the New Living Translation, encompassing its entirety, verses 1 through 12. Psalm 84 is one of the most beloved psalms in the Psalter. It is attributed to the Korahites, a family of Levites who were gatekeepers and musicians in the Temple. It is a psalm of pilgrimage, a song of ascent, meant to be sung by those making their way up to Jerusalem for one of the three major annual festivals—Passover, Pentecost, or the Feast of Tabernacles. This psalm is a beautiful and welcome contrast to the communal laments we've recently explored. After the national despair of Psalm 79 and the urgent pleas for restoration in Psalm 80, Psalm 84 bursts forth with a joyous and profound yearning for God's presence. It shifts our focus from the desolation of a city to the spiritual longing of a soul, reminding us that even in times of national turmoil, the faithful heart finds its ultimate desire in God Himself and in the joy of drawing near to Him. This psalm is a timeless ode to the incomparable value of God's dwelling place and the blessings that flow from His presence. So, let's join the psalmist on this pilgrimage, feeling the heart of a traveler yearning for home, a home found only in the presence of God. The Soul's Deep Thirst for God (Reads Psalm 84:1-4 NLT) How lovely is your Tabernacle, O Lord of Heaven's Armies. My soul longs, yes, faints with longing for your courts. My heart and body cry out for the living God. Even the sparrow finds a home, and the swallow builds a nest and raises her young at a place near your altar, O Lord of Heaven's Armies, my King and my God! What joy for those who can live in your house, always singing your praises. Interlude Guthrie Chamberlain: The psalm begins with an exclamation of pure admiration for God's dwelling place: "How lovely is your Tabernacle, O Lord of Heaven's Armies." "Tabernacle" here refers to God's sanctuary, the Temple in Jerusalem. "Lovely" (yādîd) implies something dear, beloved, and full of affection. The psalmist is expressing a deep, heartfelt love for this physical space, not for the building itself, but for what it represents—the tangible presence of God. The title "Lord of Heaven's Armies" (Yahweh Sabaoth), used three times in this psalm, is significant. It reminds us that this beloved...

Welcome to Day 2706 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – “The Great Reversal” – Supernatural Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2706 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2706 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, we continue with the 13th of 16 segments of our Theology Thursday lessons. I will read through the book "Supernatural," written by Hebrew Bible scholar, professor, and mentor Dr. Michael S. Heiser, who has since passed away. Supernatural is a condensed version of his comprehensive book, ‘The Unseen Realm.' If these readings pique your interest, I would recommend that you read ‘The Unseen Realm.' Today, we will read through chapter thirteen: “The Great Reversal” Aside from stories about Jesus in the Gospels—such   as accounts of his birth, death, and Sermon on the Mount—perhaps the most familiar passage in the New Testament is Acts 2, where the Holy Spirit rushes upon the followers of Jesus at the day of Pentecost. It marks the launch of the fledgling church and the beginning of global evangelism in the name of Jesus. As familiar as the passage is, there's a lot more going on in it than most realize. Acts 2 is in fact designed to telegraph the campaign to reverse the post-Babel cosmic geography of the Old Testament, in which the nations other than Israel were under the dominion of lesser gods. What happened at Pentecost was a battle plan for infiltrating all the nations disinherited by God at Babel with the gospel of Jesus—an ancient strategy for spiritual war. Pentecost What Acts 2 describes as happening on the day of Pentecost was certainly unusual: And when the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in the same place. And suddenly a sound like a violent rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. And divided tongues like fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages as the Spirit gave them ability to speak out. Now there were Jews residing in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the crowd gathered and was in confusion, because each one was hearing them speaking in his own language. And they were astounded and astonished, saying, “Behold, are not all these who are speaking Galileans? And how do we hear, each one of us, in our own native language?” (Acts 2:1–8 leb) Some of the things that take us into the supernatural worldview of the Old Testament in that remarkable passage aren't obvious in the English translation. The “rushing wind” associated with the arrival of the Spirit is a familiar description of the presence of God in the Old Testament (2 Kings 2:1, 11; Job 38:1; 40:6). Fire is also familiar in descriptions of God (Ezek. 1:4; Isa. 6:4, 6; Dan. 7:9; Ex. 3:2; 19:18; 20:18). It's clear from those references that God was present at the event and behind what was going on. His intention was to launch his campaign to take back the nations from the lesser gods he assigned to the nations (Deut. 4:19–20; 32:8–9) but who became his enemies (Ps. 82). God's tool for doing that was the words of the disciples—hence the imagery of tongues. God enabled the Jewish followers of Jesus to speak...

Welcome to Day 2705 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2705 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 83:9-18 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2705 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2705 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's Wisdom Nugget is titled: A Prayer for Judgment – That They May Know Your Name - Concluding Our Trek Through Psalm 83:9-18 Guthrie Chamberlain: Welcome back to Wisdom-Trek, your compass for navigating the profound landscapes of faith and life. I'm your guide, Guthrie Chamberlain, and today, we reach the powerful and climactic conclusion of our trek through Psalm 83 in the New Living Translation, encompassing its final verses, 9 through 18. In our last conversation, we plunged into the heart of a national crisis described in Psalm 83:1-8. We heard Asaph, the psalmist, plead with a seemingly silent God: "O God, do not remain silent!" He revealed a malicious conspiracy of nations with "a single purpose: to enter into a treaty against you" and a chilling goal to "wipe out Israel as a nation." He presented to God a coalition of Israel's historical enemies, allied with the powerful Assyria, a threat so formidable that human intervention seemed utterly futile. It was a desperate prayer for God, the ultimate Judge, to break His silence and act. Now, in this concluding section, Asaph moves from a description of the conspiracy to a fervent, imprecatory prayer for God to act decisively against these enemies. He appeals to God to perform a new act of salvation that is as legendary and devastating as His great victories of the past. The goal of this prayer is not just for Israel's survival, but for God's name to be universally known and glorified as a result of His righteous judgment. So, let's listen to this powerful and passionate prayer for a divine repeat of history, leading to an ultimate revelation of God's sovereignty. A Prayer for History to Repeat Itself (Reads Psalm 83:9-12 NLT) Do to them as you did to the Midianites, or to Sisera and Jabin at the Kishon River. They were destroyed at Endor, and their bodies were left to fertilize the ground. Let their princes die as Oreb and Zeeb did. Let all their rulers die like Zebah and Zalmunna. For they said, "Let us seize for ourselves the pasturelands of God!" Guthrie Chamberlain: The psalmist begins his imprecation with a specific, historical plea, asking God to act as He has in the past: "Do to them as you did to the Midianites, or to Sisera and Jabin at the Kishon River." This is a powerful and theologically sound strategy in prayer. When we face a new crisis, we can look to God's past acts of faithfulness and power as a basis for our present requests. Asaph is not asking God to do something new; he's asking Him to be the same God He has always been. The Midianites were defeated by God through the leadership of Gideon, a victory so decisive that it became a standard for divine...

Welcome to Day 2703 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2704 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 83:1-8 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2703 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2703 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's Wisdom Nugget is titled: A Conspiracy of Silence – When Nations Conspire - A Trek Through Psalm 83:1-8 Guthrie Chamberlain: Welcome to Wisdom-Trek, your compass for navigating the profound landscapes of faith and life. I'm your guide, Guthrie Chamberlain, and today, we open a new and urgent chapter in our journey through the Psalms. We're embarking on a trek through Psalm 83 in the New Living Translation, encompassing its opening verses, 1 through 8. Psalm 83, another psalm of Asaph, is a fervent communal lament and an imprecatory prayer, a desperate cry for God's intervention against a specific and imminent threat. After the divine judgment scene of Psalm 82, where God condemned unjust human rulers in a heavenly court, this psalm brings us back to earth, to a very real and present danger: a grand conspiracy of nations with a single, malevolent goal. This psalm is a powerful expression of a people facing a severe existential threat. The psalmist pleads with God, the ultimate Judge and ruler of the nations, not to remain silent in the face of this malicious plot. It reminds us that there are times when the threats are so great, so overwhelming, that the only hope is for a silent God to speak and a hidden God to act. So, let's immerse ourselves in this prayer of national desperation and listen to the psalmist's earnest plea for God's intervention against this formidable conspiracy. The Plea for a Silent God to Act (Reads Psalm 83:1-4 NLT) O God, do not remain silent! Do not turn a deaf ear. Do not stand aloof, O God. Don't you hear the uproar of your enemies? Don't you see the arrogance of those who hate you? They devise crafty schemes against your people, and they conspire against your treasured ones. "Come," they say, "let us wipe out Israel as a nation. We will destroy the memory of its existence." Guthrie Chamberlain: The psalm begins with an immediate, urgent, and almost confrontational plea for God to break His silence: "O God, do not remain silent! Do not turn a deaf ear. Do not stand aloof, O God." This triple appeal highlights the profound distress of the people. God's silence in the face of a terrifying threat is unbearable. "Remain silent" (charash) implies inactivity. "Turn a deaf ear" (al-al) implies a refusal to listen. "Stand aloof" (shalaq) suggests a deliberate distance, an indifference to their suffering. The psalmist is begging God to do the opposite of all these things: to speak, to listen, and to draw near and intervene. This lament stands in stark contrast to the divine pronouncements of judgment in the previous Psalm 82, where God's voice was loud and clear. Here, that same mighty voice...

Welcome to Day 2702 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2702 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 82:1-8 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2702 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2702 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's Wisdom Nugget is titled: The Supreme Court of the Cosmos – The Judge of All Judges - A Trek Through Psalm 82:1-8 Guthrie Chamberlain: Welcome to Wisdom-Trek, your compass for navigating the profound landscapes of faith and life. I'm your guide, Guthrie Chamberlain, and today, we open a powerful and dramatic new chapter in our journey through the Psalms. We're embarking on a trek through Psalm 82 in the New Living Translation, encompassing its entirety, verses 1 through 8. Psalm 82, like many we've explored recently, is attributed to Asaph. But after the celebratory festivals of Psalm 81 and the laments for national restoration in Psalm 80, this psalm introduces us to a truly astounding scene: God Himself, acting as the supreme Judge, standing in judgment over all other authorities. It's a divine courtroom, a cosmic tribunal, where God holds human rulers and judges accountable for their injustice and corruption. This psalm, in just eight short verses, provides a breathtaking glimpse into the heart of God's justice. It delivers a withering condemnation of those in power who abuse their authority, while simultaneously issuing a powerful command to defend the powerless. It reminds us that no matter how powerful or esteemed a human leader may be, they are ultimately accountable to a higher authority, the one true Judge of all the earth. So, let's step into this dramatic scene and listen to the verdict from the Supreme Judge of the cosmos. The Divine Tribunal and the Condemnation of the Unjust (Reads Psalm 82:1-4 NLT) God presides over heaven's court; he pronounces judgment on the heavenly beings: "How long will you hand down unjust decisions by favoring the wicked?" Interlude "Give justice to the poor and the orphan; uphold the rights of the oppressed and the destitute. Rescue the poor and helpless; deliver them from the grasp of evil people." Guthrie Chamberlain: The psalm begins by setting a truly magnificent and sobering scene: "God presides over heaven's court; he pronounces judgment on the heavenly beings." The "heaven's court" or "divine council" was a common literary motif in the ancient Near East, but here it is uniquely appropriated to show God's absolute supremacy. The "heavenly beings" (elohim) in this context are not God's divine rivals, but are often interpreted as human judges and rulers, or perhaps even angelic beings entrusted with the oversight of nations, all of whom are ultimately subordinate to God. God is the one and only supreme Judge, and He is holding all other authorities—divine and human—accountable. He is standing over all the judges of the earth, watching every decision they make. The first question God asks is

Welcome to Day 2701 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – “The Cloud Rider” – Supernatural Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2701 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2701 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, we continue with the 12th of 16 segments of our Theology Thursday lessons. I will read through the book "Supernatural," written by Hebrew Bible scholar, professor, and mentor Dr. Michael S. Heiser, who has since passed away. Supernatural is a condensed version of his comprehensive book, ‘The Unseen Realm.' If these readings pique your interest, I would recommend that you read ‘The Unseen Realm.' Today, we will read through chapter twelve: “The Cloud Rider” I closed the last chapter by noting how Jesus began to talk about his death immediately after baiting the powers of darkness at the gates of hell and Mount Hermon. The challenge set in motion a string of events that would lead to the Lord's trial and his death on the cross. Christians have read about the trial of Jesus many times. But there's a supernatural backdrop to it that is frequently overlooked. To understand what finally draws the death sentence from the Jewish authorities and the transfer of Jesus to Pontius Pilate to carry it out, we have to go back to the Old Testament book of Daniel—to a meeting God holds with his heavenly host, his divine council.   The Ancient of Days and His Council Daniel 7 begins with an odd vision. Daniel sees four beasts coming out of the sea (Dan. 7:1–8). They're all freakish, but the fourth beast is the worst. In the dreams interpreted in the Old Testament, both objects and living things always represent something, and in this dream, the four beasts in Daniel's vision are four empires. We know that because his vision aligns with the themes of Nebuchadnezzar's dream in Daniel 2, which was about Babylon and three other empires to follow. Our focus, though, is on what Daniel describes next: As I looked, thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat; his clothing was white as snow, and the hair of his head like pure wool; his throne was fiery flames; its wheels were burning fire. A stream of fire issued and came out from before him; a thousand thousands served him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him; the court sat in judgment, and the books were opened. (Dan. 7:9–10) We know the Ancient of Days is the God of Israel. That's pretty easy to determine, especially if we compare the description of his throne to Ezekiel's vision of God's throne (Ezek. 1). The fire, wheels, and human form on the throne in that vision are the same as Daniel's. But did you notice there isn't just one throne? There are a number of thrones in Daniel's vision (Dan. 7:9)—enough for the divine court, God's council (Dan. 7:10). The heavenly court meets to decide the fate of the beasts—the empires—in the vision. It is decided that the fourth beast must be killed and the other beasts rendered powerless (Dan. 7:11–12). They will be displaced by another king and kingdom. And that's where things get even more interesting. The Son of Man Who Comes on the Clouds Daniel continues narrating his vision: I saw in the night visions, and...

Welcome to Day 2700 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me.This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to WisdomDay 2700 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 81:8-16 – Daily WisdomWisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2700Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2700 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's Wisdom Nugget is titled: The Heart's Hardness – A Plea for Unwavering Loyalty - Concluding Our Trek Through Psalm 81:8-16Guthrie Chamberlain: Welcome back to Wisdom-Trek, your compass for navigating the profound landscapes of faith and life. I'm your guide, Guthrie Chamberlain, and today, we reach the powerful and poignant conclusion of our trek through Psalm 81 in the New Living Translation, encompassing its final verses, 8 through 16.In our last conversation, we began Psalm 81 with a vibrant, celebratory call to worship, a joyful festival meant to be a perpetual reminder of God's deliverance. The psalmist then recounted a dramatic shift to God's direct voice, recalling His mighty act of removing the "burden from your shoulders" and freeing Israel's "hands from their heavy baskets" of slavery in Egypt (Psalm 81:6). We heard how God answered their cry from the "hidden place of thunder," the awe-inspiring moment at Sinai when He gave them His law.Now, God's direct address continues, moving from a remembrance of His saving acts to a strong command for exclusive loyalty and a heartbreaking lament over His people's persistent disobedience. This section is a profound expression of God's own heart, revealing His deep desire for a relationship of trust and His sorrow over their stubborn rebellion. It culminates in a beautiful, almost wistful, promise of the boundless blessings they would have received if only they had listened.So, let's listen carefully, not just to the words, but to the yearning heart of God as He pleads with His people. A Divine Demand for Exclusive Loyalty(Reads Psalm 81:8-10 NLT)"Listen to me, O my people, if you would only listen to me, O Israel!You must never have a foreign god;you must not worship a foreign god.For I am the Lord your God,who rescued you from the land of Egypt.Open your mouth wide, and I will fill it with good things."Guthrie Chamberlain: God's voice begins with an urgent, repeated, and intimate plea: "Listen to me, O my people, if you would only listen to me, O Israel!" The repetition of "if you would only listen to me" expresses a profound, almost desperate desire for His people to pay attention. He is calling to them as "my people" and "Israel," using covenant names that signify their special, chosen relationship with Him. This is not the voice of a distant commander, but of a personal God who yearns for His people's attention and obedience.The command that follows is absolute and foundational to their covenant: "You must never have a foreign god; you must not worship a foreign god." This is the first and second commandment of the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:2-3). God demands exclusive loyalty and allegiance. In the ancient Near East, it was common for people to worship multiple gods, adding a new god to their pantheon whenever they encountered a new nation or experienced a new need. But God, the God of Israel, forbade this practice completely. He is not one god among many; He is the one true God,...

Welcome to Day 2698 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2698 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 81:1-7 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2698 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2698 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's Wisdom Nugget is titled: The Sound of Freedom – A Festival of Joy and Remembrance - A Trek Through Psalm 81:1-7 Guthrie Chamberlain: Welcome to Wisdom-Trek, your compass for navigating the profound landscapes of faith and life. I'm your guide, Guthrie Chamberlain, and today, we open a new chapter in our journey through the Psalms, a chapter filled with vibrant celebration and a powerful word from God Himself. We're embarking on a trek through Psalm 81 in the New Living Translation, encompassing its opening verses, 1 through 7. Psalm 81, like many of the psalms in this collection, is attributed to Asaph. But after the months of dwelling in the heavy emotions of lament, communal suffering, and national tragedy from Psalms 74, 77, and 80, this psalm is like a breath of fresh air. It is a powerful, joyous, and liturgical psalm, likely intended for a major national festival like the Feast of Trumpets (Rosh Hashanah) or the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot). It is a vibrant call to a nation to gather, to make music, to shout with joy, and to remember the God who delivered them from slavery. This psalm reminds us that while lament is a sacred and necessary expression of faith, so too is exuberant, celebratory praise. It's a powerful transition from a people crying out for restoration to a people actively celebrating the God who is worthy of all worship. The psalm then takes an extraordinary turn, as God himself speaks directly, recalling His mighty acts and warning His people of the consequences of disobedience. So, let's immerse ourselves in this joyful call to worship and listen for the voice of God in the midst of our celebration. The Call to a Joyful Festival (Reads Psalm 81:1-4 NLT) Sing out loud to God our strength! Shout for joy to the God of Jacob. Sing your psalms, beat the tambourine, and play the sweet lyre and harp. Sound the ram's horn at the new moon, and again at the full moon to announce our festive holidays. For this is a decree in Israel, an ordinance from the God of Jacob. Guthrie Chamberlain: The psalm begins with an immediate, energetic command to the entire nation: "Sing out loud to God our strength! Shout for joy to the God of Jacob." This isn't a quiet suggestion for private meditation. The Hebrew word for "sing out loud" (ranan) implies a ringing cry, a joyful shout of triumph. The call is to "shout for joy" (rua), a word often used for a war cry or a triumphant blast of a horn, signifying a full-throated, exuberant, and unrestrained expression of praise. The praise is directed at "God our strength" (Elohim ‘uzzenu), the one who gives us power, and to "the God of Jacob," the covenant-keeping God who has a long and faithful history with His people. The psalmist then...

Welcome to Day 2697 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me.This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to WisdomDay 2697 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 80:14-19 – Daily WisdomWisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2697Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2697 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's Wisdom Nugget is titled: The Gardener's Return, The Leader's Hand - Concluding Our Trek Through Psalm 80:14-19Today, we reach the powerful and ultimately hope-filled conclusion of our trek through Psalm 80 in the New Living Translation, encompassing its final verses, 14 through 19.In our journey through Psalm 80, we've heard the poignant cry of a people reeling from national turmoil. In verses 1-6, the psalmist, Asaph, lamented God's prolonged anger, asking "How long, O Lord God of Heaven's Armies, will you be angry with our prayers?" He spoke of being fed with sorrow and drinking tears by the cupful, all while being the public scorn of his neighbors. Then, in verses 7-13, the lament intensified through a magnificent agricultural metaphor: Israel as a vine that God Himself had rescued, planted, and nurtured, but whose walls had been broken down, leaving it vulnerable to wild animals and devastation. The central plea was for God to "restore us" and to "smile on us and save us."Now, in these concluding verses, the lament culminates in a final, desperate appeal. The psalmist pleads for the divine Gardener to return to His vineyard and to act on behalf of His people. He then introduces a powerful, messianic plea for God's hand of favor to rest upon a specific leader, "the man of your right hand," a chosen leader who will bring about this restoration. The psalm concludes with a final, three-fold repetition of the central prayer, signifying a persistent, unwavering hope in God's ultimate salvation.So, let's step into this prayer of deep longing and resolute hope, as we witness a people entrusting their future into God's sovereign hands. The Plea for the Gardener's Return(Reads Psalm 80:14-16 NLT)Come back, we beg you, O God of Heaven's Armies.Look down from heaven and see our plight.Take care of this grapevine,this shoot you have planted with your own strong hand!For your enemies have cut it down and burned it.May they be destroyed by your rebuke.Guthrie Chamberlain: The psalmist begins this section with an urgent, heartfelt plea for God's return: "Come back, we beg you, O God of Heaven's Armies. Look down from heaven and see our plight." The phrase "Come back" is a desperate cry for God to reverse His apparent absence. The lamenting community understands their dire situation, but they need God to see it, to "look down from heaven and see our plight" (literally, "our suffering" or "our affliction"). This is an appeal for God to witness their devastation firsthand, a hope that seeing their ruin will compel Him to act. The title "O God of Heaven's Armies" is a reminder that this is not a cry to a helpless deity, but to the commander of all celestial forces, the very one capable of intervening with overwhelming power.The plea for God's attention is then specified to the metaphor of the vine: "Take care of this...

Welcome to Day 2696 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – “Supernatural Intent” – Supernatural Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2696 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2696 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, we continue with the 11th of 16 segments of our Theology Thursday lessons. I will read through the book "Supernatural," written by Hebrew Bible scholar, professor, and mentor Dr. Michael S. Heiser, who has since passed away. Supernatural is a condensed version of his comprehensive book, ‘The Unseen Realm.' If these readings pique your interest, I would recommend that you read ‘The Unseen Realm.' Today, we will read through chapter eleven: “Supernatural Intent.” In the last chapter, we saw how the Old Testament presents the messiah by hiding him in plain sight. The key to God's plan to restore Eden and redeem humanity was for the messiah, Jesus, to die on the cross and then rise from the dead. Only by becoming a man could God ensure that a human king from the line of David would rule over his people without falling into sin and straying spiritually. Only if that king died in the place of his people and rose from the dead could God rightly judge sin and provide salvation all at the same time. Only by the messiah's death and resurrection would fallen people still have a place in God's family council, ruling in that renewed Edenic kingdom, as originally planned. But think about all that required: Jesus had to somehow make sure the supernatural powers of darkness manipulated men to kill him—without understanding what they were really doing. As Paul had said to the Corinthians (1 Cor. 2:6–8), if they really knew what the results were going to be, they never would have crucified the Lord. The life and ministry of Jesus may make more sense when viewed against that backdrop. It's easy for readers of the New Testament, for instance, to get the impression that Jesus' ministry leading up to the cross was somewhat random. After all, the Gospels don't always present the same episodes—for example, the birth of Jesus is found in only two of them (Matthew and Luke), and only one mentions the wise men (Matt. 2). Sometimes scenes appear in a slightly different order in different gospels. But those acts of Jesus recorded in the Gospels leading up to the crucifixion—healing the sick, preaching about the kingdom of God, forgiving sinners, confronting hypocrisy​—were more than the random acts of a traveling wise man who occasionally did miraculous things. There's more going on in the gospel stories than meets the eye. There's an important subtext to what Jesus was doing. Outwitting Evil The event that marked the beginning of Jesus' public ministry was his baptism. It was there that God publicly identified Jesus as his Son (Mark 1:11), and there that John the Baptist identified him as the one who “takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). When we read those words from John, we think immediately about the crucifixion. But John's disciples weren't thinking about that. Frankly, no one was. When, close to the end of his ministry—over three years after his baptism—Jesus began to speak of his death, his own disciples rejected the idea (Matt. 17:22–23; Mark 9:30–32). The last thing they...

Welcome to Day 2695 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2695 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 80:7-13 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2695 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2695 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's Wisdom Nugget is titled: The Vine from Egypt – A Garden Left to Ruin - A Trek Through Psalm 80:7-13 Today, we continue our deeply moving trek through Psalm 80 in the New Living Translation, encompassing verses 7 through 13. In our last conversation, we heard a desperate communal lament from the psalmist, Asaph. We felt the anguish of a people crying out to God as their Shepherd, questioning, "How long, O Lord God of Heaven's Armies, will you be angry with our prayers?" (Psalm 80:4). We saw the bitter reality of their lives: feeding on sorrow and drinking tears by the cupful, becoming the public "scorn of our neighbors." Their primary plea was for God to "restore us" and to "smile on us and save us" (Psalm 80:3). Now, as we move into this next section, the psalmist continues this prayer for restoration, but he does so through a magnificent and poignant agricultural metaphor. He portrays Israel as a vine, one that God Himself rescued, planted, and tenderly cared for, a vine that once flourished and covered the earth. He then contrasts that glorious past with the vine's present state of ruin and desecration, all to intensify his plea for God, the divine Gardener, to return and care for His vineyard once again. This metaphor would have resonated deeply with the ancient Israelites, a people whose identity and heritage were intrinsically linked to the land and its fruitfulness. It's a powerful picture of a relationship that has fallen into disrepair, and the desperate hope for its renewal. So, let's immerse ourselves in this beautiful and heartbreaking metaphor of a vine planted by God. A Glorious Vine Planted by God (Reads Psalm 80:7-11 NLT) Restore us, O God of Heaven's Armies. Smile on us and save us. You brought a vine from Egypt; you drove out the nations and planted it here. You cleared the ground for it, and it took root and filled the land. The mountains were covered with its shade; the mighty cedars with its branches. The vine spread its branches west to the Mediterranean Sea and east to the Euphrates River. Guthrie Chamberlain: The psalmist begins this section by reiterating the central plea, a refrain that will run throughout the psalm: "Restore us, O God of Heaven's Armies. Smile on us and save us." This repetition serves to reinforce the gravity and single-mindedness of their desire for a complete reversal of their fortunes. They are begging for God's favor to return, for Him to turn His face back to them, for they know that in His smile is their salvation. The psalmist then introduces the magnificent vine metaphor, recounting...

Welcome to Day 2693 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2693 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 780:1-6 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2693 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2693 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's Wisdom Nugget is titled: The Shepherd's Hidden Face – A Cry for Restoration - A Trek Through Psalm 80:1-6 Today, we begin a powerful and deeply moving trek through Psalm 80 in the New Living Translation, encompassing its opening verses, 1 through 6. Psalm 80 is a communal lament, a desperate and repeated cry for God to restore His people. Like the lament psalms we've recently explored, such as Psalms 74 and 79, it is steeped in national tragedy and the anguish of God's apparent absence. However, this psalm is unique in its focus on God's identity as a Shepherd and its use of agricultural and shepherding metaphors to articulate the nation's pain and their fervent desire for revival. The psalmist pleads for God, the Shepherd of Israel, to remember His flock, to turn His face back to them, and to act with His saving power. This psalm gives voice to that difficult, often-long season of suffering when God's anger feels prolonged, and our pleas seem to go unanswered. It's a prayer for a fresh start, a powerful yearning for divine intervention to reverse a season of national turmoil and public disgrace. So, let's immerse ourselves in this desperate plea for divine restoration, feeling the weight of a people crying out from the wilderness of God's silence. The Shepherd's Call to Action (Reads Psalm 80:1-3 NLT) Please listen, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead the descendants of Joseph like a flock. O God, enthroned above the cherubim, display your glory and power! Stir up your mighty power! Come to our rescue and save us. Restore us, O God of Heaven's Armies. Smile on us and save us. Guthrie Chamberlain: The psalm begins with a tender and intimate plea to God as the Shepherd: "Please listen, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead the descendants of Joseph like a flock." This imagery is both ancient and deeply personal to the Israelite people. God is not just a distant king; He is a caring Shepherd, and Israel is His flock. This echoes the portrayal of God's leadership in Psalm 78, where "he led his own people like sheep through the wilderness." It's an appeal to God's paternal, protective, and nurturing nature. The psalmist specifically mentions "the descendants of Joseph," which refers to the prominent tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. Given their significance, this might suggest the lament comes from the Northern Kingdom, or it could be a general plea for the entire nation, with Joseph representing all of Israel. Regardless, the appeal is to God's faithfulness as their leader, a plea for Him to remember His flock and return to His shepherding duties. The plea for God to act is filled with anticipation and

We first fell in love with the film character Gramps and his anti-evolution hijinks when we watched GRAMPS GOES TO COLLEGE (2014), one of the most outrageous Christian films of all time. We knew we'd eventually explore the entire Gramps cinematic universe. We continue our journey with IN GRAMPS' SHOES, the confident first entry in this series, which, based on its morbid ending, does not feel like it's setting itself up for a sequel. Thankfully, writer Donald James Parker and director Chip Rosetti broke canon and persisted. Donald James Parker's work as Gramps could be compared to Jacques Tati's “Monsieur Hulot”: an archetypal clown character wandering through our overly complex modern society and exposing its foibles. In IN GRAMPS' SHOES, Gramps heals the broken modern nuclear family by moving into his adult daughter's house and making a positive male role model impression on her teenage son and daughter. Sixteen-year-old Scott has taken up smoking cigarettes, is curious about marijuana, and in general has a grumpy, antisocial teenage attitude that needs to be healed with Christ's love. Gramps challenges Scott and his teenage cohorts to a footrace, which Gramps clears spectacularly, given that his passion is long-distance running. This inspires the whole family to take up cross-country racing, culminating in a climactic scene where Scott wins his high school cross-country meet and the heart of a Christian runner girl on the team, who he secures as his prom date. But it wouldn't be a Gramps movie without hearing Gramps take aim at pop culture unrelated to the main events of the film; IN GRAMPS' SHOES chooses to attack the HARRY POTTER series of books and films, saying they are “bait” to lure kids away from the church and toward a life of witchcraft and wizardry. Gramps states that things loved by many people are probably ungodly, because what God loves is not the same as what man loves. That's good news for IN GRAMPS' SHOES, because not a lot of people like this movie, so God probably loves it. View our full episode list and subscribe to any of our public feeds: http://boysbiblestudy.com Unlock 2+ bonus episodes per month: http://patreon.com/boysbiblestudy Subscribe to our Twitch for livestreams: http://twitch.tv/boysbiblestudy Follow us on Instagram: http://instagram.com/boysbiblestudy Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/boysbiblestudy

Welcome to Day 2692 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2692 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 79:9-13 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2692 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2692 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's Wisdom Nugget is titled: For Your Name's Sake – The Ultimate Appeal - Concluding Our Trek Through Psalm 79:9-13 Today, we reach the powerful and ultimately hopeful conclusion of our poignant trek through Psalm 79 in the New Living Translation, encompassing its final verses, 9 through 13. In our journey through Psalm 79, we've plunged deep into the raw agony of a communal lament. In verses 1-4, we witnessed the utter devastation of Jerusalem and the desecration of God's holy Temple, hearing the cries over unburied dead and crushing national shame. Then, in verses 5-8, Asaph, the psalmist, questioned God about the duration of His anger, pleading "How long, O Lord?" while simultaneously redirecting God's wrath toward the pagan nations who did not know Him. He also humbly acknowledged Israel's own past sins, appealing for God's swift mercy despite their unworthiness. Now, in these concluding verses, the lament reaches its climax and finds its resolution in a powerful appeal to God's own glory. The psalmist shifts the primary argument for divine intervention from Israel's suffering or even their partial repentance to the ultimate stakes: God's own glorious name and reputation among the nations. It's a fervent prayer for vindication, not just for Israel, but for the very character of God. The psalm culminates in a profound promise of perpetual praise, even from a people still reeling from catastrophe. So, let's immerse ourselves in this final, desperate, and ultimately hope-filled plea for God to act for His name's sake. (Reads Psalm 79:9-10 NLT) Help us, O God of our salvation! Help us for the glory of your name. Rescue us and purge away our sins for the honor of your name. Why should pagan nations be allowed to scoff, asking, “Where is their God?” Show us your mighty power, and take revenge for the spilled blood of your servants. Guthrie Chamberlain: The psalm opens this final section with an urgent, desperate plea, grounded in God's redemptive character: "Help us, O God of our salvation! Help us for the glory of your name." The psalmist appeals to God as the "God of our salvation," emphasizing His proven track record as a deliverer. The repetition of "Help us!" underscores the extremity of their need. But the key argument here, repeated twice, is "for the glory of your name." This is the ultimate appeal in a lament of national catastrophe. It's not primarily for Israel's comfort, or even just for their justice, but for the sake of God's own reputation and honor among the nations. If Israel, God's chosen people, remains in such utter ruin, humiliated and without recourse, God's glory is diminished in the eyes of the world. This appeal is far broader than mere self-interest; it's a profound concern for the worldwide recognition of God's power and...

Welcome to Day 2690 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2690 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 79:5-8 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2690 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2690 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's Wisdom Nugget is titled: How Long, O Lord? – A Plea for Mercy, A Cry for Justice - A Trek Through Psalm 79:5-8 Today, we continue our poignant and urgent trek through Psalm 79 in the New Living Translation, encompassing verses 5 through 8. In our last conversation, we plunged into the raw, unspeakable anguish of Psalm 79:1-4. We witnessed the utter devastation of Jerusalem and the desecration of God's holy Temple by invading pagan armies. We felt the horror of the unburied dead, left as food for wild animals, and the crushing burden of being mocked by surrounding nations, all of which amounted to a direct insult to God Himself. It was a cry born from unprecedented sacrilege and profound national dishonor. Now, as we move into this next section, Asaph, the psalmist, shifts from describing the catastrophe to directly questioning God about the duration of His anger. He then transitions to fervent imprecations—prayers for God's judgment—against the pagan nations who do not know God, acknowledging Israel's own past sins as a contributing factor, yet appealing desperately for God's mercy rather than His continued wrath. This tension between recognizing their own culpability and pleading for justice against their oppressors is a hallmark of communal laments. So, let's immerse ourselves in this anguished yet hopeful appeal, feeling the weight of their desperate longing for an end to suffering and a demonstration of God's righteous power. (Reads Psalm 79:5-6 NLT) How long, O Lord? Will you be angry with us forever? Will your jealousy burn like fire? Pour out your wrath on the nations that don't acknowledge you— on kingdoms that don't call on your name. Guthrie Chamberlain: The psalm begins this section with an agonizing, direct question to God about the duration of their suffering: "How long, O Lord? Will you be angry with us forever? Will your jealousy burn like fire?" This "How long?" is a quintessential lament cry in the Psalms (Psalm 13, 74, 89). It signifies an unbearable continuation of distress and a desperate longing for an end to divine wrath. The psalmist acknowledges that their suffering is perceived as stemming from God's anger, fueled by His "jealousy"—His righteous intolerance of idolatry and unfaithfulness, which burns intensely like consuming fire. This is a theological wrestling match. If God's anger is indeed burning, how long will it last? Will it be "forever"? This expresses the profound fear of a permanent, unending state of divine displeasure and abandonment, a terrifying thought for a people whose very existence depended on God's favor. This very fear echoes the question in Psalm 74:1: "Why have you abandoned us forever?" Here, the focus is on the anger that underpins that perceived abandonment. The psalmist then immediately redirects...

Welcome to Day 2691 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – “Hidden In Plain Site” – Supernatural Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2691 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2686 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, we continue with the 10th of 16 segments of our Theology Thursday lessons. I will read through the book "Supernatural," written by Hebrew Bible scholar, professor, and mentor Dr. Michael S. Heiser, who has since passed away. Supernatural is a condensed version of his comprehensive book, ‘The Unseen Realm.' If these readings pique your interest, I would recommend that you read ‘The Unseen Realm.' Today, we will read through chapter ten: “Hidden in Plain Sight.” Since the fall, God had been trying to revive his original goal for Eden: to live with both his divine and human family on earth. God had told Adam and Eve to be fruitful and multiply, thereby spreading God's good rule over the rest of the planet. God wanted the whole earth to be a place where heaven and earth met, where humanity could enjoy the divine, and where the divine could enjoy earth and humanity. We know how that went. A History of Failure Humanity sinned and was expelled from God's presence. Eden was shut down. The divine enemy, the Serpent, was banished—cast or cut down—from God's presence to earth, the place where death reigns, where life is not everlasting. He became lord of the dead, and therefore had claim to every human being who would ever live—because they sin, and sin's wages is death (Rom. 6:23). After the flood, God had repeated the goal of Eden to Noah and his family: be fruitful and multiply. It was a do-over. Instead, humanity rebelled. Rather than obey God and spread the knowledge and rule of God everywhere, they would build a tower where God could come to them. Failure again. God wouldn't go for it. He mixed up the nations' languages and turned the nations over to his divine council to rule. Then he decided to start over with a new human family—through Abraham and Sarah. He would get back to the other nations—through Abraham's descendants—once his kingdom rule was revived (Gen. 12:3). This, too, was a failure. So was the next attempt, bringing Israel out of Egypt, then to Sinai, and then finally to the Promised Land. Israel failed. Eventually God raised up David, and then Solomon. But after Solomon died, Israel followed other gods and the Israelites turned on each other. God had to expel them from the Promised Land in exile. The human story, apart from God's presence, is the story of failure. This is because humanity is lost since the fall. All humans are imperfect and estranged from God. No human leader could be trusted with starting and maintaining God's kingdom. They would resist loyalty to God alone. They would go their own way. Humans would sin, fail, and join the lord of the dead, God's great enemy. But God's vision of sharing the blessing of being steward-kings over a new Eden couldn't happen without humans. And the only way humans would ever be able to hold up their end of God's plan would be for them to be made new again. The curse of the fall must be lifted. And for that, God had a plan. The Solution—and a Problem God needed a man who was more than

Welcome to Day 2688 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2688 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 79:1-4 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2688 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2688 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's Wisdom Nugget is titled: A City Desecrated, A People Dishonored – A Cry from the Rubble - A Trek Through Psalm 79:1-4 Guthrie Chamberlain: Today, we begin another poignant and heart-wrenching trek, as we open Psalm 79 in the New Living Translation, encompassing its opening verses, 1 through 4. Psalm 79, like so many we've explored recently, is attributed to Asaph. But after the sweeping historical narrative of Psalm 78, which culminated in God's faithful establishment of David as shepherd-king despite Israel's constant rebellion, Psalm 79 thrusts us abruptly back into the darkest depths of national tragedy. This psalm serves as a powerful communal lament, echoing the anguish we felt in Psalm 74, specifically crying out in the immediate aftermath of the devastating destruction of Jerusalem and its holy Temple, most likely by the Babylonians in 586 BC. While Psalm 74 expressed the shock and confusion of the Temple's ruin and God's apparent abandonment, Psalm 79 focuses with a horrifying intensity on the desecration of the sacred city itself, the brutal slaughter of its inhabitants, and the profound, unspeakable shame caused by the unburied dead. It's a desperate, visceral cry for God's immediate attention and vengeance in the face of unprecedented sacrilege and dishonor. For the ancient Israelites, this was not just a military defeat; it was a cosmic catastrophe, an assault on God's very dwelling place and His chosen people, whose identity was inextricably linked to their land, their city, and their Temple. The horror described here was the ultimate nightmare, a complete reversal of all covenant blessings. So, let's immerse ourselves in this raw, agonizing lament, feeling the weight of their despair and the profound pain of utter desecration and dishonor. (Reads Psalm 79:1-4 NLT) O God, your inheritance has been invaded! Your holy Temple has been defiled, and Jerusalem is a heap of ruins. The bodies of your servants and your godly people have been left as food for the vultures and wild animals. The blood of your people has been poured out like water all around Jerusalem, and there is no one left to bury them. We are mocked by our neighbors, scoffed at by those around us. Guthrie Chamberlain: The psalm begins with a cry of profound violation and outrage directed straight to God: "O God, your inheritance has been invaded! Your holy Temple has been defiled, and Jerusalem is a heap of ruins." This is an immediate, gut-wrenching appeal. The psalmist doesn't just say their land has been invaded; he says "your inheritance." This implies God's...

Welcome to Day 2687 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me.This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to WisdomDay 2687 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 78:56-72 – Daily WisdomWisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2687Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2687 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's Wisdom Nugget is titled: The Heart's Persistent Wanderings – From Abandonment to the Shepherd-King - Concluding Our Trek Through Psalm 78:56-72Guthrie Chamberlain: Welcome back to Wisdom-Trek, your compass for navigating the profound landscapes of faith and life. I'm your guide, Guthrie Chamberlain, and today, we reach the poignant and pivotal conclusion of our extensive trek through Psalm 78 in the New Living Translation, encompassing its final verses, 56 through 72.In our journey through this monumental didactic psalm, Asaph, the psalmist, has meticulously recounted Israel's history. We've seen their early failures, their ungrateful rebellion in the wilderness despite God's astounding miracles—from the splitting of the Red Sea to the daily manna and water from rocks. We also explored God's righteous judgment for their persistent unbelief, even as His enduring compassion spared them from complete annihilation. We watched as God faithfully led them into the Promised Land, driving out nations and settling them securely in their inheritance.Now, as we delve into this final segment, the story unfolds into a new phase of Israel's unfaithfulness, occurring after they had entered and settled the Promised Land. This leads to profound divine judgment: God's abandonment of His dwelling place at Shiloh and His subsequent, sovereign choice of Mount Zion and the Davidic dynasty. This narrative culminates in the powerful affirmation of David as the shepherd-king, foreshadowing the ultimate Shepherd-King, Jesus Christ.This section explains a critical shift in God's dealings with Israel, shedding light on the reasons behind the establishment of Jerusalem as the spiritual center and the unique covenant with David. It's a sobering reminder of the consequences of persistent unfaithfulness, but also a beautiful testament to God's ultimate plan and His ability to choose and raise up faithful leaders.So, let's lean in and absorb the final, crucial lessons from Israel's history of wandering hearts and God's sovereign direction.(Reads Psalm 78:56-64 NLT)But they continued to test and rebel against God Most High,refusing to obey his decrees.They turned away and were disloyal like their ancestors;they were as unreliable as a crooked bow.They angered him by building pagan shrines;they made him furious with their idols.When God heard them, he was furiousand completely rejected Israel.He abandoned his Tabernacle at Shiloh,the tent where he had lived among them.He allowed their Ark of the Covenant—his glory—to be captured;he surrendered his people to their enemies.He sent fire to consume their young menand caused their young women to die in battle.Their priests were slaughtered by the sword,and their widows could not mourn.Guthrie Chamberlain: Asaph brings the historical lesson into the period after the conquest of Canaan, demonstrating that entering the Promised Land did not end Israel's cycle of rebellion: "But they continued to test and rebel against God Most High, refusing to obey his decrees." The persistent nature of their sin, already...

Welcome to Day 2686 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – “Holy War” – Supernatural Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2686 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2686 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, we continue with the 9th of 16 segments of our Theology Thursday lessons. I will read through the book "Supernatural," written by Hebrew Bible scholar, professor, and mentor Dr. Michael S. Heiser, who has since passed away. Supernatural is a condensed version of his comprehensive book, ‘The Unseen Realm.' If these readings pique your interest, I would recommend that you read ‘The Unseen Realm.' Today, we will read through chapter nine: “Holy War.” The Bible is a controversial book. People who don't see it as the Word of God often object to what it says. But some parts of the Bible make even Christians uncomfortable. Israel's war to conquer the Promised Land is a case in point. Why? Mostly because of the killing. It seems indiscriminate and far too thorough. Why was it necessary to kill entire populations in some cities—men, women, children, and even livestock? Why not let the inhabitants surrender? Wouldn't it be better to exile them than to slaughter them? There's an answer to those objections—but I've discovered that the answer seems to make Christians as uncomfortable as the problem. You can only understand the rationale and motive of the conquest accounts when you see them through the supernatural worldview of an Israelite. Israel's Supernatural Logic The battles for the Promised Land were framed by two factors, both deeply rooted in Israel's understanding of their world as not only the abode of humankind but also the prize in an unseen spiritual war. We've talked about both of them already, but let's review. One factor is the fallout from the events at the Tower of Babel, when God decided, after the nations rebelled against him, that he no longer wanted a direct relationship with the people of those nations. Instead, he assigned members of his divine council, the sons of God, to govern them (Deut. 4:19–20; 32:8–9). Afterward, he called Abraham and enabled him and his wife Sarah to have a child (Isaac), from whom the people of Israel would come. We learned in Psalm 82 that these lesser gods became corrupt. They allowed injustice. People came to worship them instead of the Most High God. Thus, they became enemies of God and his people, Israel. Since some of those nations were within the land of Canaan, which God purposed to give to his nation Israel after the exodus, Moses and the Israelites believed the people who occupied those lands were their mortal enemies and their gods would do all they could to destroy Israel. The second factor was even more frightening for the Israelites. It's best explained by what happened when the Israelites arrived at the border of Canaan, the Promised Land. Moses sent twelve spies into Canaan to report on the land and its inhabitants. The spies came back with evidence that the land itself was wonderful—it flows “with milk and honey”—just as God had told them (Num. 13:27). But then they dropped a bombshell: “The land, through which we have gone to spy it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people that we saw in it...

Welcome to Day 2685 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2685 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 78:40-55 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2685 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2685 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's Wisdom Nugget is titled: Unyielding Rebellion Meets Unwavering Faithfulness - A Trek Through Psalm 78:40-55 Guthrie Chamberlain: Welcome back to Wisdom-Trek, your compass for navigating the profound landscapes of faith and life. I'm your guide, Guthrie Chamberlain, and today, we continue our crucial and comprehensive trek through Psalm 78 in the New Living Translation, encompassing verses 40 through 55. In our journey through Psalm 78, Asaph, the psalmist, has been delivering a solemn history lesson to future generations. We've seen Israel's early failure, the Ephraimites turning away from battle because they forgot God's covenant. We then witnessed God's amazing, yet sometimes punitive, provision in the wilderness – water from rocks, manna, and quail, followed by judgment for their greedy, unbelieving hearts. Most recently, in verses 32-39, we reflected on Israel's superficial repentance, their deceitful hearts, and God's incredible, enduring compassion despite their persistent unfaithfulness, remembering they were merely mortal. Now, as we move into this next chapter of Israel's story, Asaph intensifies his account of Israel's repeated rebellion and their blatant provocation of God, even while recounting the truly devastating plagues God unleashed on Egypt for their sake. This section powerfully contrasts Israel's obstinacy and forgetfulness with God's unwavering faithfulness, His overwhelming power, and His meticulous fulfillment of His covenant promises to bring them into the Promised Land. It reveals a pattern of human failure that, tragically, even divine miracles often failed to break. So, let's lean in and absorb the humbling lessons of Israel's persistent provocation and God's relentless, powerful love. (Reads Psalm 78:40-42 NLT) Oh, how often they rebelled against him in the wilderness and grieved his heart in that dry wasteland. Again and again they tested God's patience and put the Holy One of Israel to the test. They did not remember his power or the day when he rescued them from their enemies. Guthrie Chamberlain: Asaph returns to the agonizing theme of Israel's persistent unfaithfulness, summarizing their wilderness behavior: "Oh, how often they rebelled against him in the wilderness and grieved his heart in that dry wasteland." The exclamation "Oh, how often" (Hebrew: kamah) emphasizes the frequency and multitude of their acts of rebellion. This wasn't a single incident; it was a continuous pattern throughout their forty years in the desert. Their actions "grieved his heart" (literally, "pained him," "vexed him") – a powerful anthropomorphism (attributing human emotion to God) showing God's deep sorrow and distress over their constant defiance. The "dry...

Welcome to Day 2683 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2683 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 78:32-39 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2683 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2683 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's Wisdom Nugget is titled: The Heart's Deceit – God's Enduring Compassion - A Trek Through Psalm 78:32-39 Guthrie Chamberlain: Welcome back to Wisdom-Trek, your compass for navigating the profound landscapes of faith and life. I'm your guide, Guthrie Chamberlain, and today, we continue our crucial and comprehensive trek through Psalm 78 in the New Living Translation, encompassing verses 32 through 39. In our last conversation, we delved into a sobering chapter of Israel's history recounted by Asaph in Psalm 78:17-31. We saw their persistent rebellion and direct testing of God, demanding food in the wilderness despite His astounding provision of water from rock. We then witnessed God's righteous fury and His miraculous, abundant provision of manna and quail, which, for their ungrateful and unbelieving hearts, turned into an instrument of swift judgment. God struck down their strongest men while the very meat they craved was still in their mouths. It was a stark lesson on the cost of demanding, ungrateful faith. Now, as we move into this next section, the narrative continues to unfold, revealing a disturbing cycle: Israel's seemingly superficial repentance, their deceitful hearts, and their short-lived loyalty, juxtaposed with God's incredible, unwavering compassion and patience. This portion of the psalm offers a profound insight into the human heart's capacity for backsliding and God's enduring commitment to a people who often failed Him. So, let's lean in and absorb the humbling lessons of human frailty and the breathtaking truth of divine steadfastness. (Reads Psalm 78:32-33 NLT) But despite all this, they kept on sinning; they refused to believe in his wonders. So he ended their days in a puff of wind; their years vanished in terror. Guthrie Chamberlain: The psalmist opens this section with a heartbreaking continuation of Israel's pattern: "But despite all this, they kept on sinning; they refused to believe in his wonders." The phrase "despite all this" refers directly to the mighty acts of God and even His recent judgments described in the previous verses—the miraculous provision of manna and quail, and the subsequent plague. Even after witnessing such undeniable power and experiencing such direct consequences, they "kept on sinning." This highlights their profound spiritual stubbornness and resistance. Their fundamental flaw was persistent unbelief: "they refused to believe in his wonders." They saw the miracles, they experienced the divine provision, they even endured the judgment, yet they still refused to truly trust in God's power, His goodness, and His faithfulness. This wasn't ignorance; it was active disbelief in the face of overwhelming evidence. This unbelief was the root cause of their continuous sin. The consequence of this sustained unbelief and...

Welcome to Day 2682 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2682 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 78:17-31 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2682 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2682 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's Wisdom Nugget is titled: Testing the Almighty – The Cost of Ungrateful Hearts - A Trek Through Psalm 78:17-31 Today, we continue our crucial and comprehensive trek through Psalm 78 in the New Living Translation, encompassing verses 17 through 31. In our last conversation, we began Asaph's solemn history lesson for future generations. We saw the painful example of the Ephraimites' failure in battle due to their unfaithfulness, their refusal to keep God's covenant, and their tragic forgetfulness of God's glorious deeds. Then, Asaph immediately reminded us of those very deeds: God's astounding miracles in Egypt, His splitting of the Red Sea, His constant guidance by cloud and fire, and His miraculous provision of water from solid rock in the wilderness (Psalm 78:9-16). The contrast was stark: human rebellion against divine faithfulness. Now, as we move into this next section, the story continues, detailing a new, disturbing chapter in Israel's journey: their persistent rebellion and direct testing of God, even in the face of His overwhelming provision. It reveals the devastating consequences of demanding hearts that question God's power and generosity, demonstrating that God provides, but also justly judges ungrateful unbelief. So, let's lean in and absorb the sobering lessons of Israel's continued rebellion and God's mighty, yet sometimes punitive, response. (Reads Psalm 78:17-20 NLT) But they continued to sin against him, rebelling against the Most High in the desert. They stubbornly tested God in their hearts, demanding the foods they craved. They even spoke against God, saying, “Can God spread a table in the wilderness? Yes, he hit the rock, and water gushed out, and streams flowed like rivers! But can he also give us bread? Can he supply meat for his people?” Guthrie Chamberlain: Despite the astonishing miracles of water from the rock, the constant guidance by cloud and fire, and the fresh memory of Red Sea deliverance, Asaph immediately reveals Israel's shocking reversion to rebellion: "But they continued to sin against him, rebelling against the Most High in the desert." The word "continued" (yâsaph) emphasizes the persistent, habitual nature of their sin. They weren't just making a one-time mistake; this was a pattern of defiance. They rebelled "against the Most High" – El Elyon, emphasizing God's supreme authority and transcendence. This rebellion occurred "in the desert," a place of utter dependence on God, making their unfaithfulness even more grievous. Their rebellion manifested as a direct, stubborn challenge to God's power: "They stubbornly tested God in their hearts, demanding the foods they craved." To "test...

Welcome to Day 2681 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – “Sacred Space” – Supernatural Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2681 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2681 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, we continue with the 8th of 16 segments of our Theology Thursday lessons. I will read through the book "Supernatural," written by Hebrew Bible scholar, professor, and mentor Dr. Michael S. Heiser, who has since passed away. Supernatural is a condensed version of his comprehensive book, ‘The Unseen Realm.' If these readings pique your interest, I would recommend that you read ‘The Unseen Realm.' Today, we will read through chapter eight: “Sacred Space.” The Israelites spent over a year at Mount Sinai. Why so long? They had already entered into a covenant with God and received the Ten Commandments. But they still had a lot to learn. It was one thing to promise to believe in and be loyal to the God of their ancestors, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It was another to know what God expected and what he was like. The Concept of Holiness Many of the strange laws and practices of the Old Testament are grounded in the need to teach people that God is unlike everything else. In his nature and character, he is unique; he is completely other than humanity and anything else. For Israel, that was a truth that had to be reinforced at all times. Otherwise, God might be thought of as ordinary. The biblical word for the idea of God's unique otherness is holiness. It means “to be set apart” or “to be distinct.” The concept isn't necessarily about moral conduct​—about the idea that we should behave a certain way to reflect God's distinct moral standards—though that is included (Lev. 19:2). God wasn't content to simply give Israelites an intellectual explanation of holiness. He wanted the concept of his otherness to permeate life in ancient Israel. The Bible tells us this was accomplished through rituals (symbolic acts) and by rules for approaching sacred areas. How Is God “Other”? The short answer to this question is “in every way,” but that's too abstract. The Bible is much more down-to-earth, and the rituals and rules for Israelite community living reflect that. For example, the Bible teaches us that God was not only the source of Israel's life—he was life. God is not of this earth, a place where there is death, disease, and imperfection. His realm is supernatural. Our realm is terrestrial. The earthly space he occupies is made sacred and otherworldly by his presence. The space we occupy is ordinary. God is the polar opposite of ordinary. In ancient Israel, these ideas were conveyed by the fact that people had to be invited and purified to occupy the same space as God. Many laws in the Old Testament regulate this purifying. Israelites could be disqualified (made “unclean”) from sacred space by a variety of activities and conditions. Having sex, losing blood, certain physical handicaps, and touching a dead body (human or animal) all rendered an Israelite unclean. Israelites were forbidden from eating certain birds of prey that ate from dead animals (e.g., vultures, hawks; Lev. 11:13–19) or animals that might be found on or inside a carcass (e.g., lizards, mice; Lev....

Welcome to Day 2680 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2680 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 78:9-16 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2680 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2680 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's Wisdom Nugget is titled: Remembering God's Wonders, Recalling Our Failures - A Trek Through Psalm 78:9-16 Today, we continue our crucial and comprehensive trek through Psalm 78 in the New Living Translation, encompassing verses 9 through 16. In our last conversation, we opened Psalm 78, a powerful didactic psalm by Asaph. We heard his solemn call for God's people to listen to his "teaching" and "parables" – profound truths from their collective past. The purpose was clear: to ensure that the next generation would "not hide these truths from our children," but would learn from history, set their "hope anew on God," obey His commands, and avoid being "stubborn, rebellious, and unfaithful" like their ancestors (Psalm 78:1-8). Asaph was setting the stage for a critical history lesson, explaining why it was so vital to pass on the glorious deeds of the Lord. Now, Asaph begins that very history lesson, starting with a stark example of early Israelite failure, followed immediately by a powerful reminder of God's overwhelming, miraculous power during the Exodus and wilderness journey. This juxtaposition is key: human unfaithfulness contrasted with divine faithfulness. It challenges us to examine our own patterns of forgetting God's past goodness when faced with new trials. So, let's lean in and absorb the hard-learned lessons and awe-inspiring wonders of Israel's early history. (Reads Psalm 78:9-11 NLT) The men of Ephraim, though armed with bows, turned and fled on the day of battle. They did not keep God's covenant; they refused to live by his law. They forgot what he had done— the wonderful miracles he had shown them. Guthrie Chamberlain: Asaph immediately plunges into a painful historical example of Israelite failure, focusing on a prominent tribe: "The men of Ephraim, though armed with bows, turned and fled on the day of battle." Ephraim was a powerful and numerous tribe, the descendants of Joseph, and often held a leadership role in the Northern Kingdom. The "bow" was a significant weapon in ancient warfare, implying they were well-equipped and prepared for battle. Yet, despite their military readiness, they "turned and fled" when it counted most – "on the day of battle." This wasn't a strategic retreat; it was a humiliating defection, a failure of courage and commitment. This military failure, however, was not simply due to a lack of skill or strength. Asaph reveals its deeper, spiritual root: "They did not keep God's covenant; they refused to live by his law." Their military cowardice was a symptom of their spiritual unfaithfulness. The "covenant" (berit) was the foundational agreement between God and Israel, establishing their...