Welcome to Day 2584 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2584– Prophecy, Idolatry, the Day of the Lord, Loyalty, Messiah – Jeremiah 23:5 Putnam Church Message – 03/09/2025 Sermon Series: Old Testament Orientation Message 9: Prophecy, Idolatry, the Day of the Lord, Loyalty, and Messiah   Last week, we continued our Old Testament Orientation series and reviewed Prophetic Literature – God’s Call to Repentance and Restoration. We also explored how it impacted the Ancient Israelites and our lives today. This week, we will expand our review of Prophetic Literature and focus on  Prophecy, Idolatry, the Day of the Lord, Loyalty, and Messiah. We will touch on some of the same themes as last week but from a slightly different aspect. Opening Prayer Heavenly Father, From the very beginning, You have called Your people to follow You with wholehearted devotion. You have spoken through Your prophets to call Your people back to You. You have warned against idolatry, declared the coming Day of the Lord, and promised restoration through Your Messiah. Today, as we open Your Word, give us eyes to see, ears to hear, and hearts ready to respond. May we understand the urgency of loyalty to You and recognize that our ultimate hope is in the Messiah You have sent. Teach us through the voices of the prophets and guide us in faithfulness. Teach us what it means to be truly loyal to You and help us understand the depth of Your promises. May we not fall into the same mistakes as those who came before us, but instead, may we stand firmly on Your truth. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Introduction Let’s climb back into our imagination station again this week. Picture yourself standing in the streets of Jerusalem during the reign of King Josiah. The temple has been cleaned of its idols, and a great revival has begun. The Book of the Law, long forgotten, has been rediscovered. The priests read its words aloud, and the people tremble before Yahweh for the first time in generations. But as you walk through the city, something troubles you. Not everyone is truly repentant. Some still carry small household idols hidden beneath their robes. Some mutter against the reforms, longing for the old days of the worship of idols that represented their false gods. The prophets continue to warn the people: “The Day of the Lord is coming! Do not return to idolatry! Be faithful to Yahweh, for He alone is God!” People stop. Some scoff. Some listen. “You have turned away from Yahweh! You bow before idols, chase after the gods of other nations, and forsake the covenant of your fathers! The Day of the Lord is coming—a day of judgment for the wicked and restoration for the faithful! But do not fear, for the Lord has promised a righteous King from David’s line, one who will reign forever in justice and truth!” And yet, many ignore the warnings. Centuries later, we find ourselves in a similar situation. Many claim to follow God, yet their hearts are divided. Some chase after material wealth, some place their trust in human power, and some simply ignore the call of the Gospel. The message of the prophets is still relevant today. Today, we will explore five key prophetic themes:

1. The Role of...

Welcome to Day 2583 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2583 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 51:1-6 Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2583 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2583 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. In today’s Wisdom Nugget, we begin our exploration of Psalm 51, focusing on verses 1-6. This psalm is one of the most well-known passages of repentance in all of Scripture. It is a psalm of David, written after his great moral failure—his sin with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, Uriah. When the prophet Nathan confronted him, David did not make excuses or attempt to justify his actions. Instead, he responded with deep sorrow and a cry for God’s mercy. From an Ancient Israelite worldview, this psalm is profound. The Israelites understood that sin required atonement. The sacrificial system provided temporary covering for sin, but David recognizes here that true cleansing must come from within—from a heart that is genuinely broken before God. Psalm 51 is a model of true repentance, teaching us that God desires honesty, humility, and a heart that longs for renewal. Let’s begin by reading Psalm 51:1-6 from the New Living Translation:

• Psalm 51:1-6 (NLT)

1 Have mercy on me, O God, because of Your unfailing love. Because of Your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. 2 Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. 3 For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. 4 Against You, and You alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in Your sight. You will be proved right in what You say, and Your judgment against me is just. 5 For I was born a sinner— yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. 6 But You desire honesty from the womb, teaching me wisdom even there.

• A Cry for Mercy (Verses 1-2)

David begins his prayer with a desperate cry for mercy: “Have mercy on me, O God, because of Your unfailing love. Because of Your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins.” David does not appeal to his own righteousness or try to bargain with God. Instead, he pleads for forgiveness based solely on God’s character—His unfailing love and compassion. This verse is a reminder that God’s mercy is not something we earn—it is something He freely gives. Verse 2 continues the plea: “Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin.” David uses the imagery of washing and purification, which would have been deeply familiar to an Israelite. In their culture, ritual cleansing was essential before entering God’s presence. However, David recognizes...

Welcome to Day 2582 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2582 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 50:16-23 Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2582 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2582 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. In today’s Wisdom Nugget, we conclude our study of Psalm 50 by examining verses 16-23. This passage shifts the focus to God’s rebuke of the wicked—specifically, those who claim to follow Him but live in hypocrisy. The psalmist Asaph presents God as the divine Judge, calling out those who speak His commands yet reject His discipline. From an Ancient Israelite perspective, this would have been a shocking indictment. Many believed that outward religious acts—such as reciting the Law or offering sacrifices—were enough to secure God’s favor. But here, God makes it clear: lip service without obedience is meaningless. This passage challenges us to examine our hearts and reminds us that true worship requires integrity, thankfulness, and a life that honors God. Let’s begin by reading Psalm 50:16-23 from the New Living Translation:

1. Psalm 50:16-23 (NLT)

16 But God says to the wicked: “Why bother reciting My decrees and pretending to obey My covenant? 17 For you refuse My discipline and treat My words like trash. 18 When you see thieves, you approve of them, and you spend your time with adulterers. 19 Your mouth is filled with wickedness, and your tongue is full of lies. 20 You sit around and slander your brother— your own mother’s son. 21 While you did all this, I remained silent, and you thought I didn’t care. But now I will rebuke you, listing all My charges against you. 22 Repent, all of you who forget Me, or I will tear you apart, and no one will help you. 23 But giving thanks is a sacrifice that truly honors Me. If you keep to My path, I will reveal to you the salvation of God.”

1. The Problem of Hypocrisy (Verses 16-17)

The passage begins with a strong rebuke: “But God says to the wicked: ‘Why bother reciting My decrees and pretending to obey My covenant?’” This statement is directed at those who claim to follow God but live in disobedience. They speak His words, but their actions tell a different story. Verse 17 adds: “For you refuse My discipline and treat My words like trash.” Here, God exposes their real attitude—they reject His correction and ignore His teachings. In the Ancient Israelite worldview, God’s Law was seen as the foundation of life, meant to guide His people in righteousness. But these individuals saw it as optional,...

Welcome to Day 2581 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – Charlton Heston Had Company – I Dare You Not To Bore Me With The Bible. Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2581 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2581 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.   Today is the 46th lesson in our segment, Theology Thursday. Utilizing excerpts from a book titled: I Dare You Not To Bore Me With The Bible written by Hebrew Bible scholar and professor the late Dr. Michael S Heiser, we will invest a couple of years going through the entire Bible, exploring short Biblical lessons that you may not have received in Bible classes or Church. The Bible is a wonderful book. Its pages reveal the epic story of God’s redemption of humankind and the long, bitter conflict against evil. Yet it’s also a book that seems strange to us. While God’s Word was written for us, it wasn’t written to us. Today’s lesson is: “Charlton Heston Had Company.” When we hear “Moses’ Law,” we think of the story we heard in Sunday school, or the scene from The Ten Commandments where Charlton Heston (a.k.a., Moses) gets the two tablets from God. But what if I told you Moses and God weren’t alone? It may come as a surprise, but the New Testament tells us in three places that the Law was delivered by angels, members of God’s divine council. Here are two of those passages:

• Acts 7:52-53: “Which of the prophets did not your fathers persecute? And they killed those who announced beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, whom you have now betrayed and murdered, you who received the law as delivered by angels and did not keep it.”
• Hebrews 2:1-2: “Therefore we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, lest we drift away from it. For since the message declared by angels proved to be reliable and every transgression or disobedience received a just retribution, how shall we escape if we neglect such a great salvation?”

I was pretty shocked the first time I saw these verses. And I certainly hadn’t heard about them in church. So what passage in the Old Testament were they quoting? That’s the second jolt: There isn’t a clear reference to it—at least not in the Old Testament we use. The New Testament writers didn’t invent the idea, though. They got it from Deuteronomy 33:2-4 in their Septuagint, the Greek translation of the Old Testament. The Septuagint more clearly connects angels to the Law than the traditional Hebrew text upon which our English translations are based. So they were using a translation. We can understand that. But we’re not done. It gets a bit stranger. The third New Testament passage that talks about the Law and angels is found in Galatians 3:19-20. And this time, it isn’t just a crowd of angels with Moses and God: What, then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was put into effect through angels by a mediator. A mediator, however, does not represent just one party; but God is one. Galatians 3:19 informs us that there was a mediator between God and the angels when the Law was given. Most...

Welcome to Day 2580 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2580 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 50:7-15 Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2580 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2580 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. In today’s Wisdom Nugget, we will explore Psalm 50:7-15, a passage where God speaks directly to His people, correcting their misunderstanding of true worship. In this passage, God reminds Israel that He does not need their sacrifices, but rather, He desires their genuine faith and dependence on Him. From an Ancient Israelite perspective, this was a challenging message. Sacrificial offerings were central to their worship and covenant relationship with God. Yet, the psalmist Asaph presents God as the ultimate judge, correcting those who relied more on outward religious rituals than on a sincere heart devoted to Him. This passage teaches us that God desires thanksgiving, obedience, and trust—not empty religious actions. Let’s begin by reading Psalm 50:7-15 from the New Living Translation:

1. Psalm 50:7-15 (NLT)

7 “O My people, listen as I speak. Here are My charges against you, O Israel: I am God, your God! 8 I have no complaint about your sacrifices or the burnt offerings you constantly bring to My altar. 9 But I do not need the bulls from your barns or the goats from your pens. 10 For all the animals of the forest are Mine, and I own the cattle on a thousand hills. 11 I know every bird on the mountains, and all the animals of the field are Mine. 12 If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for all the world is Mine and everything in it. 13 Do I eat the meat of bulls? Do I drink the blood of goats? 14 Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High. 15 Then call on Me when you are in trouble, and I will rescue you, and you will give Me glory.”

1. God Speaks as the Judge (Verse 7)

The passage begins with a dramatic shift. Up until now, God has been summoning the heavens and the earth as witnesses, preparing to judge His people. Now, He speaks directly to Israel: “O My people, listen as I speak. Here are My charges against you, O Israel: I am God, your God!” The phrase “I am God, your God” is significant. It reminds the Israelites of their covenant relationship with Him. This echoes Exodus 20:2, where God says: “I am the Lord your God, who rescued you from the land of Egypt.” God is not addressing foreign nations but His own people—those who should already know His ways. However, they have drifted into a mechanical form of worship, offering...

Welcome to Day 2579 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2579– Prophetic Literature - God's Call to Repentance and Restoration – Ezekiel 34_22-24 Putnam Church Message – 03/02/2025 Sermon Series: Old Testament Orientation Message 8: Prophetic Literature – God’s Call to Repentance and Restoration Last week, we continued our Old Testament Orientation series and dove into  Historiography, Conquest, Kingdom, and Exile. We will also tie in how the ancient Israelites experienced and would have understood them. This week and next, we move on to the books of prophecy in a message titled Prophetic Literature – God’s Call to Repentance and Restoration. Since it covers the same timeframe as the historical books, some of the information will be similar to the past two weeks, but from a prophet’s perspective. Opening Prayer Heavenly Father, You have spoken through Your prophets to call Your people back to You. As we explore Your prophetic Word today, open our hearts to understand Your call to repentance, Your warnings against idolatry, and Your promises of restoration. May we not harden our hearts as Israel once did, but instead turn toward You in faithfulness. May Your Spirit guide us as we learn from the voices of Your prophets. In Jesus’ name, Amen. Introduction Picture yourself living in ancient Israel during a time of great prosperity. Solomon was the King. The country was at peace, and the economy was good. The fields are full, the markets are bustling, and the temple stands tall in Jerusalem. Outwardly, everything seems well. But as you walk the streets, you see people bowing to the gods of other nations, offering incense to Baal, and engaging in corrupt business practices. You see leaders oppressing the poor, and despite the outward religious activity, you sense that something is deeply wrong. Then, a prophet appears in the city square. He lifts his voice and proclaims: Isaiah 29:13 And so the Lord says, “These people say they are mine. They honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. And their worship of me is nothing but man-made rules learned by rote. In other words, God is saying through Isaiah: You have turned to other gods, and judgment is coming! Repent and return to Yahweh before it is too late!” How would you respond? Would you listen? Would you scoff? The prophets were sent by God during Israel’s most critical moments—calling the people to repentance, warning of coming judgment, and declaring a future restoration. Today, as we study prophetic literature, we must ask: Are we listening to God’s call today, or are we ignoring His voice like Israel once did? The prophetic books—Isaiah, Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel, and the twelve minor prophets—carry a unified message: (Bulletin Insert)

1. The Prophets Warned of the Dangers of Worshipping Other Gods
2. Repentance Was the Only Path to Restoration
3. Judgment Came to Purify, Not Destroy
4. Hope Remained—The Promise of Restoration

    Main Points

1. The Prophets Warned of the Dangers of Worshipping Other...

Welcome to Day 2578 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2578 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 50:1-6 Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2578 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2578 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. In today’s Wisdom Nugget, we begin our exploration of Psalm 50, focusing on verses 1-6. This psalm, written by Asaph, presents a dramatic scene in which God Himself appears as the divine Judge, summoning the heavens and the earth to witness His judgment over His people. From an Ancient Israelite perspective, this psalm would have carried deep significance. The imagery of God speaking from Zion, fire and storm surrounding Him, and His call for justice would have reminded them of God’s covenant at Mount Sinai. The Israelites were well aware that God was not just their Deliverer but also their Judge, calling them to righteousness and true worship. Let’s begin by reading Psalm 50:1-6 from the New Living Translation:

• Psalm 50:1-6 (NLT)

1 The Lord, the Mighty One, is God, and He has spoken; He has summoned all humanity from where the sun rises to where it sets. 2 From Mount Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines in glorious radiance. 3 Our God approaches, and He is not silent. Fire devours everything in His way, and a great storm rages around Him. 4 He calls on the heavens above and earth below to witness the judgment of His people. 5 “Bring My faithful people to Me— those who made a covenant with Me by giving sacrifices.” 6 Then let the heavens proclaim His justice, for God Himself will be the judge.

• God Calls the Whole Earth to Attention (Verses 1-2)

The psalm begins with a grand and powerful statement: “The Lord, the Mighty One, is God, and He has spoken; He has summoned all humanity from where the sun rises to where it sets.” The threefold name of God—“The Lord, the Mighty One, is God”—immediately establishes His authority and power. In the Ancient Near East, kings and rulers would summon their people for important announcements, but here, it is God Himself summoning all of humanity. This is not a private revelation—God’s message is for the entire world. From east to west, all people are called to attention. Verse 2 continues: “From Mount Zion, the perfection of beauty, God shines in glorious radiance.” Zion, referring to Jerusalem and the temple, was seen as the earthly dwelling place of God’s presence. The psalmist calls it “the perfection of beauty”, not because of its architecture, but because God’s glory radiates from there. This verse echoes passages like Isaiah 2:3, which...

Welcome to Day 2577 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2577 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 49:16-20 Daily Wisdom Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2577 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2577 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. In today’s Wisdom Nugget, we conclude our study of Psalm 49 by examining verses 16-20. Throughout this psalm, the writer has challenged the common belief—especially in the Ancient Israelite worldview—that wealth is a sign of God’s lasting blessing and security. In many parts of the ancient world, riches were often equated with divine favor, and poverty with misfortune. Yet, the psalmist makes it clear: wealth cannot save anyone from death, nor can it secure an eternal legacy. In today’s passage, we will see the final contrast between the fate of the rich who trust in their wealth and those who put their confidence in God’s redemption. The psalmist reminds us that no matter how much a person accumulates, they cannot take it with them. Let’s begin by reading Psalm 49:16-20 from the New Living Translation: Psalm 49:16-20 (NLT) 16 So don’t be dismayed when the wicked grow rich and their homes become ever more splendid. 17 For when they die, they take nothing with them. Their wealth will not follow them into the grave. 18 In this life, they consider themselves fortunate and are applauded for their success. 19 But they will die like all before them and never again see the light of day. 20 People who boast of their wealth don’t understand; they will die just like animals. Do Not Envy the Wealthy (Verse 16) The passage begins with a clear instruction: “So don’t be dismayed when the wicked grow rich and their homes become ever more splendid.” The psalmist anticipates a common human reaction—envy. It is easy to feel discouraged when we see those who seem to prosper despite living unrighteously. Their homes expand, their riches increase, and they seem to live without trouble. This was a challenge for people in Ancient Israel as well. Many believed prosperity was a direct sign of God’s blessing, while suffering was a sign of divine punishment. The psalmist, however, reminds his listeners that outward success does not always reflect a person’s true standing before God. Illustration: Imagine a person who spends their life climbing the corporate ladder, acquiring wealth, and living in luxury. They are admired by many, yet they lack spiritual depth and have no relationship with God. When their time comes, all they have built remains behind, and they must face eternity with nothing but their soul. Application: Have you ever struggled with envy when others seem to prosper while you struggle? This verse

Welcome to Day 2576 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – Treason & Translation – I Dare You Not To Bore Me With The Bible. Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2576 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2576 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.   Today is the 45th lesson in our segment, Theology Thursday. Utilizing excerpts from a book titled: I Dare You Not To Bore Me With The Bible written by Hebrew Bible scholar and professor the late Dr. Michael S Heiser, we will invest a couple of years going through the entire Bible, exploring short Biblical lessons that you may not have received in Bible classes or Church. The Bible is a wonderful book. Its pages reveal the epic story of God’s redemption of humankind and the long, bitter conflict against evil. Yet it’s also a book that seems strange to us. While God’s Word was written for us, it wasn’t written to us. Today’s lesson is: “Treason & Translation.” *A famous Italian proverb declares atraduttore, traditore,” which means, “translator, traitor.” Those who assume this is true are unaware of how difficult it is to produce a translation. Every translator invariably discards the original text's meaning at some point. A committee of scholars assembled to produce a translation typically adopts an overarching philosophy of translation. In simplest terms, there are two. The first is called “formal equivalence,” which seeks to account for virtually every word in the original text by producing its English counterpart in translation. This is a “word-for-word” or “literal” translation. The second is called “dynamic equivalence.” This approach seeks to capture the thought of the original verse in context, and then re-create that thought using whatever English words are most precise. This is a “thought-for-thought” translation. However, adopting this approach does not mean all translators will apply it equally. There is also a matter of interpretation. When the biblical text allows more than one translation due to ambiguity in the context, grammar, or word usage, a translator needs to make their own decision—which can lead to controversy. First Corinthians 7:1 is illustrative of the potential hazard. ESV "It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with a woman." NASB "It is good for a man not to touch a woman." NIV "It is good for a man not to marry." NLT "It is good to live a celibate life.” The most “word-for-word” of these translations is that of the NASB, which captures the literal reading of the Greek words in the verse, particularly the verb "touch" (TTOLO, haptomai). Other translations move away from the ambiguous "touch" to "have sexual relations with" (ESV). The most controversial renderings are the NIV ("It is good for a man not to marry") and the NLT ("It is good to live a...

Welcome to Day 2575 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2575 – Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 49:10-15 Daily Wisdom   Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2575 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2575 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. In our last episode, we discussed the first nine verses of this psalm, where the writer emphasized that wealth cannot buy eternal life. In today’s Wisdom Nugget, Today, we take that thought further, examining the inevitability of death and the contrast between those who trust in riches and those who trust in God. From an Ancient Israelite worldview, wealth was often seen as a blessing from God, yet the psalmist warns against placing false security in material wealth. Instead, he points to the only true hope—God’s power to redeem from the grave. Let’s begin by reading Psalm 49:10-15 from the New Living Translation:

• Psalm 49:10-15 (NLT)

10 Those who are wise must finally die, just like the foolish and senseless, leaving all their wealth behind. 11 The grave is their eternal home, where they will stay forever. They may name their estates after themselves, 12 but their fame will not last. They will die, just like animals. 13 This is the fate of fools, though they are remembered as being wise. 14 Like sheep, they are led to the grave, where death will be their shepherd. In the morning, the godly will rule over them. Their bodies will rot in the grave, far from their grand estates. 15 But as for me, God will redeem my life. He will snatch me from the power of the grave.

• The Certainty of Death (Verses 10-12)

The psalmist begins with a sobering truth: “Those who are wise must finally die, just like the foolish and senseless, leaving all their wealth behind.” This verse reminds us that no one can escape death, no matter how much wisdom, intelligence, or wealth they possess. In the Ancient Near East, people often built lasting legacies, hoping their names and wealth would endure. Yet the psalmist points out that death is the great equalizer—both the wise and the foolish must leave everything behind. Verse 11 expands on this: “The grave is their eternal home, where they will stay forever. They may name their estates after themselves.” Many wealthy individuals throughout history have named buildings, cities, or foundations after themselves, seeking immortality through legacy. In Ancient Israel, land ownership was a significant part of one’s identity and security. However, no amount of land or property could keep a person from death. Then comes a striking statement in verse 12: “But their fame will not last. They will die, just like animals.” This is a humbling image. No matter how powerful or wealthy a person is, they are...