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Welcome to Day 2665 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2665 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 73:21-28 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2665 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2665 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: From Bitterness to Brilliant Clarity - Concluding Our Trek Through Psalm 73:21-28 Today, we reach the powerful and transformative conclusion of our trek through Psalm 73 in the New Living Translation, encompassing verses 21 through 28. We’ve journeyed alongside Asaph, the psalmist, through his profound spiritual crisis. We heard his agonizing confession of almost stumbling, his feet nearly slipping, because he envied the apparent prosperity and carefree lives of the wicked. We saw his perplexity over his own suffering despite his efforts to live purely, and the immense burden this intellectual and spiritual dilemma placed upon him. Then, in our last trek, we witnessed the pivotal turning point: Asaph’s revelation in the sanctuary of God, where he gained divine insight into the wicked's true, terrifying, and sudden end. Their prosperity was but a fleeting dream, a fantasy soon to vanish. Now, as we delve into these final verses, we witness the glorious resolution of Asaph’s crisis. He moves from deep-seated bitterness and self-reproach for his foolishness to a profound affirmation of God’s constant presence, His guiding hand, and His ultimate value as his true strength and eternal portion. This is the heart of what it means to truly resolve doubt and re-center our lives on God’s unchanging truth. So, let's step into this moment of profound humility and renewed devotion, allowing Asaph’s journey to illuminate our own. (Reads Psalm 73:21-22 NLT) Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside. I was so foolish and ignorant— I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you. Guthrie Chamberlain: The psalmist begins this section with a stark and humbling confession, a moment of profound self-awareness that comes after his revelation in the sanctuary: "Then I realized that my heart was bitter, and I was all torn up inside." The truth he had gained about the wicked's fleeting destiny didn't just resolve his intellectual confusion; it exposed the spiritual state of his own heart. "Bitter" (chametz) implies sourness, resentment, even fermented anger. His envy and questioning of God’s justice had poisoned his inner being, leaving him "all torn up inside" (literally, "pricked in my kidneys/inward parts," the seat of emotions and conscience in ancient thought). This signifies deep emotional pain and guilt over his misplaced focus. This realization leads to a confession of profound foolishness: "I was so foolish and ignorant—I must have seemed like a senseless animal to you." This is a powerful and humbling admission. "Foolish" (ba'ar) in biblical wisdom literature often refers to someone lacking moral discernment, acting without true understanding. "Ignorant" speaks to his inability to grasp God’s ways from a human perspective. The simile "like a senseless animal"...

Welcome to Day 2664 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2664 – New Testament Orientation – “The Letters of Paul: God’s Design for a New Humanity” Putnam Church Message – 06/29/2025 Sermon Series: New Testament Orientation Message 9: “The Letters of Paul: God’s Design for a New Humanity”   Last week, we had a wonderful missions focus with the Filsingers, and two weeks ago, we explored “The Interpretation and Proclamation of the Gospel.” Core Verses: Acts 8:4 Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT) But the believers who were scattered preached the Good News about Jesus wherever they went. This week marks Message 9 of 12 in our New Testament Orientation, with the message title: “The Letters of Paul: God’s Design for a New Humanity.” Core Verses: Romans 1:16-17 (NLT) “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ, for it is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, ‘It is by faith that a righteous person will live.’” Opening Prayer Heavenly Father, we come before You, grateful for the profound wisdom contained within the letters of Your servant, Paul. As we open these ancient texts today, we pray for Your Holy Spirit to illuminate our understanding. Help us to grasp the revolutionary truths Paul proclaimed—the Good News that powerfully unites Jew and Gentile in Christ. May these words challenge our assumptions, deepen our loyalty to Jesus, and embolden us to live as true members of Your diverse and glorious family. In the name of Jesus, our Lord and Messiah, we pray. Amen. Introduction: Paul’s Epistles – Shaping the New Israel Today, we embark on a swift but essential journey through the 13 letters attributed to the Apostle Paul. These are not merely theological treatises; they are living documents, forged in the crucible of real-life challenges faced by fledgling communities of believers—Jews and Gentiles—grappling with what it truly meant to follow Jesus as Lord. Our core verses from Romans 1:16-17 serve as a magnificent declaration of Paul’s unwavering conviction: “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ, for it is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile. This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, ‘It is by faith that a righteous person will live.’” This statement,/from the longest and arguably most influential letter,/encapsulates the revolutionary message that pulsed through all of Paul’s writings. For the early believers, rooted in ancient Israelite culture, the concept of God’s “salvation” was deeply tied to joining the family of Abraham and to a covenant relationship with Yahweh, the one true God. It wasn’t primarily about an individual’s escape from hell, but about a transformation of identity and allegiance, leading to a new way of life under the kingship of Jesus. Paul’s letters systematically unpack how this new reality, initiated by Christ,...

Welcome to Day 2663 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2663 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 73:13-20 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2663 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2663 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 Sanctuary's Clarity – From Perplexity to Profound Peace - A Trek Through Psalm 73:13-20 Today, we continue our deeply honest and transformative trek through Psalm 73 in the New Living Translation, covering verses 13 through 20. In our last conversation, we opened Psalm 73, penned by Asaph, and stepped into his profound spiritual crisis. We heard his agonizing confession: his feet almost slipped, he nearly stumbled from faith, because he envied the wicked. He vividly described their seemingly carefree lives – healthy, plump, free from the troubles of ordinary people, proudly draped in arrogance and violence, their greed knowing no bounds, openly scoffing at God himself. He saw how even others, disheartened, began to "drink in their words," questioning if God even knew what was happening. It was a raw, unfiltered expression of one of life's most perplexing mysteries: why do the ungodly prosper while the righteous suffer? Now, as we delve into this next section, we witness the turning point in Asaph's agonizing struggle. He recounts his despair over his own efforts to live righteously, but then, in a moment of divine clarity within God's sanctuary, his entire perspective shifts. He finally understands the true, terrifying end of the wicked, and his crisis of faith begins to resolve. Let’s immerse ourselves in this powerful transition from deep perplexity to profound revelation. (Reads Psalm 73:13-16 NLT) Was it for nothing that I kept my heart pure and washed my hands in innocence? All I got was trouble all day long; every morning I was punished. If I had said, “I will talk like that,” I would have betrayed your people. So I tried to understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it was! Guthrie Chamberlain: Asaph opens this section by articulating the painful conclusion he had drawn in his moments of doubt: "Was it for nothing that I kept my heart pure and washed my hands in innocence?" This is the agonizing cry of someone who has genuinely striven for righteousness, who has sought to live a life pleasing to God. "Kept my heart pure" refers to internal integrity, sincere devotion, and freedom from malicious intent. To "wash my hands in innocence" was an ancient gesture signifying freedom from guilt or responsibility for wrongdoing (Psalm 26:6). He felt that his efforts were in vain, that his integrity was unrewarded. This is a common human experience when faced with apparent injustice – "What's the point of doing good if evil goes unpunished and even thrives?" This question strikes at the very heart of divine justice and the value of righteousness. His personal suffering...

Welcome to Day 2662 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2662 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 73:1-12 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2662 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2662 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 Stumbling Block of Prosperity - A Trek Through Psalm 73:1-12 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 deeply honest and challenging trek through Psalm 73 in the New Living Translation, starting with its opening verses, 1 through 12. Psalm 73 is penned by Asaph, one of the chief musicians and seers appointed by King David. Unlike many psalms that begin with an immediate cry for help or a declaration of praise, Psalm 73 opens with a profound struggle, a crisis of faith that many of us can intimately relate to. Asaph grapples with one of life’s most perplexing mysteries: why do the wicked often prosper, seemingly enjoying an easy life, while the righteous suffer? This question has troubled believers in every generation. In the ancient Israelite worldview, there was a strong emphasis on divine justice being dispensed in this life. Obedience to God was expected to bring blessing and prosperity, while wickedness would lead to suffering and misfortune. So, when a faithful servant like Asaph observed the opposite – the ungodly thriving without apparent consequence – it created a serious spiritual dilemma, shaking the very foundations of his faith. Let’s immerse ourselves in Asaph’s raw honesty as he confronts this agonizing truth and nearly loses his footing on the path of faith. (Reads Psalm 73:1-3 NLT) Truly God is good to Israel— to those whose hearts are pure. But as for me, I almost slipped; my feet were nearly gone. For I envied the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. Guthrie Chamberlain: Asaph begins with a declaration that is simultaneously an affirmation and a struggle: “Truly God is good to Israel—to those whose hearts are pure.” On the surface, this sounds like a statement of unwavering faith. It’s a theological truth, a bedrock conviction for an Israelite. God is inherently good, and His goodness is particularly directed towards His covenant people, especially those whose hearts are “pure” or upright. This purity isn’t sinless perfection, but sincere devotion and integrity of intention towards God. However, the “But as for me” immediately introduces a stark contrast, revealing Asaph’s personal crisis: “But as for me, I almost slipped; my feet were nearly gone.” This is powerful imagery. Imagine walking on a treacherous path, perhaps a slippery incline or a narrow ledge. One false step, one moment of distraction, and you could fall completely, losing all your progress, perhaps even your life. Asaph’s faith was...

Welcome to Day 2661 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – “Divine Rebellions” – Supernatural Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2661 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2661 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 focus on this 4th of 16 segments of our Theology Thursday lessons. I will read through the book Supernatural, written by Hebrew Bible scholar, professor, and mentor, the late Dr. Michael S. Heiser. 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 two: ‘Divine Rebellions.’ I ended the previous Theology Thursday poscast with the thought that free will in the hands of imperfect beings, whether divine or human, can have disastrous results. That’s an understatement. Some catastrophes in the early chapters of the Bible, all of them involving both humans and supernatural beings, illustrate the point. Recall that God decided to share his authority with both divine beings in the supernatural realm and human beings on earth. That was the backdrop to God’s statement, “Let us make humankind in our image” (Gen. 1:26, emphasis added) and the fact that God then created humans in his image. Spiritual beings and humans are imagers of God. We share his authority and represent him as co-rulers. On one hand, that was a wonderful decision. Free will is part of being like God. We couldn’t be like him if we didn’t have it. Without free will, concepts like love and self-sacrifice die. If you are merely programmed to “love,” there is no decision in it. It isn’t real. Scripted words and acts aren’t genuine. Thinking about this takes me back to the last of the original Star Wars movies, The Return of the Jedi. The spirit of Obi-Wan Kenobi tells Luke his father, Darth Vader, “is more machine now than man.” And yet, in the end, we find that isn’t true. Vader saves Luke from the emperor at the cost of his own life. He wasn’t just a programmed machine. His decision came from the heart, his humanity—his own free will. But there’s a dark side to God’s decision. Granting intelligent beings freedom means they can and will make wrong choices or intentionally rebel. And that’s basically guaranteed to happen, since the only truly perfect being is God. He’s the only one he can really trust. This is why things could, and did, go wrong in Eden. Trouble in Paradise. Think about the setting in Eden. Adam and Eve aren’t alone. God is there with his council. Eden is the divine/human headquarters for “subduing” the rest of the earth (Gen. 1:26–28)—spreading the life of Eden to the rest of the planet. But at least one member of the council isn’t happy with God’s plans. Just as we saw in Genesis 1, there are hints in Genesis 3 that Eden is home to other divine beings. In verse 22, after Adam and Eve have sinned, God says: “Behold, the man has become like one of us in knowing good and evil” (emphasis added). That phrase is the same sort of signpost we saw in Genesis 1:26 (“our image”). We know the main character of Genesis 3, the Serpent, was not really a...

Welcome to Day 2660 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2660 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 72:15-20 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2660 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2660 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: An Eternal Legacy of Blessing and Glory - Concluding Our Trek Through Psalm 72:15-20 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 reach the glorious, overflowing conclusion of our trek through Psalm 72 in the New Living Translation, encompassing verses 15 through 20. This royal psalm has painted an extraordinary portrait of an ideal king – one whose reign is characterized by divine justice, righteousness, and profound compassion for the poor and oppressed. We’ve envisioned a rule as refreshing as rain, extending to the ends of the earth, where enemies submit, and distant nations bring tribute. Now, in these final verses, the psalmist adds to this grand vision, depicting the king’s enduring life, the boundless prosperity of his realm, the lasting renown of his name, and culminates in a magnificent doxology of praise to the God who makes all these wonders possible. This conclusion reinforces the prophetic nature of the psalm, pointing far beyond any earthly monarch to the eternal reign of the Messiah. It would have filled the ancient Israelites with an even deeper longing for that perfect kingdom, where God’s glory truly fills the whole earth. So, let’s allow our hearts to swell with hope as we immerse ourselves in these final words of aspiration and praise. (Reads Psalm 72:15-17 NLT) Long live the king! May he be given gold from Sheba. May prayers be offered for him continually, and may he be blessed all day long. May there be abundant grain throughout the land, even on the tops of the mountains. May the crops flourish like cedars of Lebanon and fill the cities like grass in a field. May the king’s name endure forever; may it continue as long as the sun. May all nations be blessed through him and proclaim him blessed. Guthrie Chamberlain: The psalm continues with a fervent wish for the king’s enduring life and prosperity: “Long live the king! May he be given gold from Sheba.” The exclamation “Long live the king!” (Hebrew: Yechi ha’melekh!) was a common acclamation, a fervent wish for a long and prosperous reign. The desire for “gold from Sheba” directly links back to the tribute from Sheba mentioned in previous verses (v. 10). Gold symbolized immense wealth and honor. This isn’t just about personal enrichment for the king; it’s an affirmation that his just and prosperous reign attracts such tribute, further validating his universal acceptance and the richness of his kingdom. But beyond material wealth, the psalmist desires spiritual blessing:...

Welcome to Day 2659 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2659 – Mission Sunday - Gilberto and Helen Filsinger Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2659 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.   Each Tuesday, I will share the messages I have delivered at Putnam Congregational Church this year. This past Sunday was a special Mission Sunday, so the message today was presented by Gilberto and Helen Filsinger, who are missionaries to Brazil and are supported by our church. I pray it will be a conduit for learning and encouragement for you.

Welcome to Day 2658 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2658 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 72:6-14 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2658 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2658 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 Reign Like Rain, A Compassion Unbound - A Trek Through Psalm 72:6-14 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 continue our majestic trek through Psalm 72 in the New Living Translation, delving deeper into its prophetic vision of an ideal king, covering verses 6 through 14. In our last trek, we began this royal psalm, a prayer for a king, which also serves as a profound prophecy of the Messiah’s righteous reign. We saw how the psalmist appealed to God to grant the king divine justice and righteousness, enabling him to rule impartially and, most importantly, to give justice to the poor. Now, as we move into this next section, the vision expands dramatically, detailing the pervasive blessing, universal dominion, and boundless compassion that characterize this ideal king’s rule. This psalm would have stirred the hearts of ancient Israelites with hope, painting a picture of a ruler truly aligned with God’s heart – a king whose reign brings flourishing to the land and protection to the vulnerable, extending his influence far beyond Israel’s borders. It points us forward to the ultimate King, Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies every aspiration of this prayer. So, let’s immerse ourselves in this beautiful portrayal of righteous kingship and consider its implications for a world longing for true peace and justice. (Reads Psalm 72:6-8 NLT) May the king’s rule be like rain upon the mown grass, like showers that water the earth. May all the godly flourish during his reign; may there be abundant prosperity until the moon is no more. May he rule from sea to sea and from the Euphrates River to the ends of the earth. Guthrie Chamberlain: The psalmist begins by describing the refreshing and life-giving nature of the king’s reign: “May the king’s rule be like rain upon the mown grass, like showers that water the earth.” This is a powerful and deeply significant metaphor, especially in an ancient agrarian society in the Near East, where rain was absolutely essential for life and prosperity. Imagine a field of grass, freshly mown or parched from drought. When gentle, abundant rain falls upon it, it brings immediate refreshment, new growth, and renewed vitality. The king’s rule is envisioned not as a destructive flood or a harsh storm, but as life-giving rain – gentle, pervasive, and beneficial. It brings refreshment and renewal to the land and its people, fostering growth and flourishing. This signifies a reign that is benevolent, restorative, and brings true well-being to all it touches. The direct result of such a reign is flourishing: “May all the godly flourish during his reign; may there be abundant prosperity until the moon is no more.” “The godly” (or “righteous”) are those who align themselves with God’s ways, seeking to

Welcome to Day 2657 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2657 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 72:1-5 – Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2657 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2657 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 Blueprint of Righteous Reign - A Trek Through Psalm 72:1-5. Today, we begin a new and majestic trek through Psalm 72 in the New Living Translation, starting with its foundational verses, 1-5. Psalm 72 is a unique and magnificent “royal psalm.” It’s a prayer for a king, often attributed to Solomon, or perhaps composed for his coronation. It paints a vivid portrait of an ideal king, one whose reign is characterized by justice, righteousness, and profound blessing, especially for the most vulnerable in society. While it speaks directly to an earthly monarch, its vision is so grand and perfect that many scholars also see it as a prophetic psalm, pointing forward to the ultimate, eternal reign of the Messiah, Jesus Christ, who perfectly embodies these ideals. In the ancient Israelite worldview, kingship was not just a political office; it was a divinely ordained role with immense moral and spiritual responsibilities. A king was God’s representative on earth, tasked with upholding God’s justice and righteousness among His people. When the king ruled justly, it was believed that God’s blessing would flow, bringing prosperity and peace to the entire nation. So, let’s immerse ourselves in this prayer for righteous governance and consider what it reveals about God’s heart for justice and His desire for truly benevolent leadership. (Reads Psalm 72:1-2 NLT) Give your justice to the king, O God, and your righteousness to the king’s son. May he judge your people with righteousness; may he give justice to the poor. Guthrie Chamberlain: The psalm opens with a direct appeal to God for the king: “Give your justice to the king, O God, and your righteousness to the king’s son.” This immediately establishes that the qualities of good governance do not originate with the king himself, but are gifts from God. “Justice” (mishpat) in the Hebrew worldview refers to fair judgment, upholding moral and legal order, and ensuring equitable treatment, especially for the disadvantaged. “Righteousness” (tsedeq) speaks to moral integrity, adherence to divine standards, and acting justly and fairly in all dealings. For the king to possess “God’s justice” and “God’s righteousness” meant that his rule would not be based on personal whim, political expediency, or self-interest, but on divine principles. He was to embody God’s own character in his leadership. The prayer is specifically for “the king” and “the king’s son,” highlighting the dynastic nature of kingship and the hope that these divine qualities would be passed down through generations, ensuring a legacy of righteous rule. This was crucial for stability and long-term blessing in a monarchical system. The purpose of these divine gifts is then clearly articulated: “May he judge your people with righteousness; may he give justice to the...

Welcome to Day 2656 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – “Once and Future Kings” – Supernatural Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2656 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2656 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 focus on this 3rd of 16 segments of our Theology Thursday lessons. I will read through the book Supernatural, written by Hebrew Bible scholar, professor, and mentor, the late Dr. Michael S. Heiser. 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 two: ‘Once and Future Kings.’ We’ve had a brief introduction to God’s heavenly council—his unseen family and task force. There’s a lot more to all that—we need to look, especially, at how major players like Jesus and Satan fit into the picture. But before we return to what goes on in the unseen world, we need to think in a fresh way about ourselves. God’s rule in the unseen spiritual world through his council is a template for his rule on earth—what theologians call the kingdom of God. All of that began in Genesis, in the garden of Eden. Eden—God’s Home Office What’s the first thing you think of when you hear “garden of Eden”? Most people I’ve talked to think of Adam and Eve. Eden was their home. That’s where God put them (Gen. 2:15–25). But Eden was also God’s home. Ezekiel refers to Eden as “the garden of God” (Ezek. 28:13; 31:8–9). No surprise, really. What might be surprising is that, right after calling Eden “the garden of God,” Ezekiel calls it “the holy mountain of God” (v. 28:14). In many ancient religions, luxurious gardens and inaccessible mountains were considered the home of the gods. The Bible uses both descriptions for Eden. Eden was God’s home and, therefore, where he conducted business. It was his headquarters, or home office. And where God is, his council is with him. God’s Imagers One of the most important verses in the Bible tips us off that both God and his council were in Eden. In Genesis 1:26 God says, “Let us make humankind in our image” (leb, emphasis added). God announces his intention to a group. Who’s he talking to? His heavenly host—his council. He’s not talking to the other members of the Trinity, because God can’t know something they don’t! And here the group he’s addressing learns what God has decided to do. The announcement is easy to understand. It would be like me saying to some friends, “Let’s get pizza!” Let’s do this! Clear enough. But there’s something else we don’t want to miss. God actually doesn’t include the group in bringing about his decision. Unlike other divine council sessions we’ve seen, the members of God’s council don’t participate in this decision. When humankind is created in the next verse (Gen. 1:27), God is the only one creating. The creation of humanity is something God handled himself. Going back to my pizza analogy, if I followed my announcement by driving everyone to the pizza place and insisted on paying, I would be the one doing all the work. That’s what we see going on here. It makes sense that God would be the only one creating humans. The divine beings of his council don’t have that kind of...