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Welcome to Day 2402 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 2:1-6 Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2402 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2402 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I will guide you through the vast landscapes of biblical wisdom. Today, we’re delving into Psalm 2:1-6 from the New Living Translation. This psalm is a powerful proclamation of God’s sovereignty and the futility of resisting His anointed one. It opens with a vivid depiction of the rebellious nations and their futile plots against the Lord and His chosen King. So, let’s embark on this trek together and uncover the rich wisdom found in these verses. Psalm 2:1-6 (NLT): 1 Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans? 2 The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the Lord and against his anointed one. 3 “Let us break their chains,” they cry, “and free ourselves from slavery to God.” 4 But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them. 5 Then in anger he rebukes them, terrifying them with his fierce fury. 6 For the Lord declares, “I have placed my chosen king on the throne in Jerusalem, on my holy mountain.” The Rebellion of the Nations: Psalm 2 opens with a probing question: “Why are the nations so angry? Why do they waste their time with futile plans?” (verse 1). The psalmist is perplexed by the rebellion and hostility of the nations against God. This anger and plotting are not just against any authority but against the highest authority – the Lord and His anointed one. It’s a reminder of the pervasive human inclination to resist divine authority and pursue autonomy. Verse 2 continues, “The kings of the earth prepare for battle; the rulers plot together against the Lord and against his anointed one.” Here, we see a collective rebellion. The kings and rulers, representing the political and military might of the world, unite in their defiance. They scheme and strategize, convinced that they can overthrow God’s established order. Their rallying cry is found in verse 3: “Let us break their chains,” they cry, “and free ourselves from slavery to God.” This declaration reveals their desire for independence and self-rule. They view God’s authority as oppressive chains and seek to liberate themselves from what they perceive as divine bondage. This rebellious spirit is not just an ancient phenomenon but continues to manifest in various forms throughout history and even in our present day. The Divine Response: The psalmist then shifts our focus from the earth’s rebellion to the heavenly response in verses 4-6. “But the one who rules in heaven laughs. The Lord scoffs at them.” (verse 4). This is a striking image. While the nations rage and plot, God responds with laughter and derision. This divine laughter is not born of amusement but of the absurdity and futility...

Welcome to Day 2401 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – Is There Really a Sin Offering? – I Dare You Not To Bore Me With The Bible Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2401 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2401 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 tenth lesson in our segment, Theology Thursday. Utilizing excerpts from a book titled: I Dare You Not To Bore Me With The Bible written by Hebrew Bible scholar and professor the late Dr. Michael S Heiser, we will invest a couple of years going through the entire Bible, exploring short Biblical lessons that you may not have received in Bible classes or Church. The Bible is a wonderful book. Its pages reveal the epic story of God’s redemption of humankind and the long, bitter conflict against evil. Yet it’s also a book that seems strange to us. While God’s Word was written for us, it wasn’t written to us. Today, our lesson is, Is There Really a Sin Offering? Hebrews 10:4 asserts, For it is not possible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins, but Leviticus seems to tell a different story. Even casually reading the book, we notice that Israelites who bring proper sacrifices “shall be forgiven” (e.g., Lev 4:20, 26, 31, 35: 5:10, 13, 16, 18). Have we reached an impasse? Rather than labeling this a contradiction, we might examine our own perceptions of Old Testament sacrifices—specifically, the sin offering. “Sin-offering” is a translation of the Hebrew term chatta’ t, which has the basic meaning of “to miss the mark” or “to fall short.” In using a traditional, familiar rendering, many English Bible translations cause us to misunderstand this sacrifice. The Goal of the Sin Offering The label “sin offering” assumes that the goal of this sacrifice was forgiveness for moral failures or violations—sins as we think of them. Leviticus reveals this is not the case. The sin offering was used in cases where people suffered from a bodily discharge (Lev 15), at the dedication of a new altar (Lev 8), or when a Nazirite completes a vow of abstinence (Lev 12). The fundamental goal of the sin offering was ritual purification. It was designed to guard sacred space—territory sanctified by God’s presence—from infection by impurity. By definition, every person or object “falls short” of divine perfection and must be ritually marked (set apart) as acceptable for holy ground. The sin offering—better rendered as a “purification offering”—was therefore applied to people and inanimate objects to mark them as acceptable before God. These people (and objects) were not unacceptable because they had done evil, but because they were imperfect—they “fell short” of the holy perfection that God’s presence required. The ritual reinforced the idea of the complete otherness of God. Depending on the individual’s status in the community—whether priest or commoner—the blood of the offering was either used outside or inside the sanctuary. The blood was brought inside the sanctuary when the sin

Welcome to Day 2400 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Wisdom Nuggets – Psalm 1:1-6 Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2400 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2400 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I will guide you through the vast landscapes of biblical wisdom. Today, we’re delving into the timeless wisdom of Psalm 1 from the New Living Translation. Psalm 1 serves as the gateway to the entire Book of Psalms, setting the stage with a powerful contrast between the righteous and the wicked. It offers profound insights on how to live a blessed life. So, let’s embark on this trek together and uncover the rich wisdom found in this beautiful psalm. Psalm 1 (NLT): 1 Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers. 2 But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night. 3 They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do. 4 But not the wicked! They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind. 5 They will be condemned at the time of judgment. Sinners will have no place among the godly. 6 For the Lord watches over the path of the godly, but the path of the wicked leads to destruction. The Path of the Righteous: Psalm 1 begins with a declaration of the joys and blessings experienced by those who choose the path of righteousness. Verse 1 states, “Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.” This verse highlights the importance of the company we keep and the influence we allow in our lives. The righteous are those who consciously avoid the negative influences of the wicked, sinners, and mockers. Instead of following the world’s ways, the righteous delight in the law of the Lord, as we see in verse 2: “But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.” This delight and meditation on God’s Word are central to the righteous life. It is not a burdensome obligation but a source of joy and nourishment. By immersing ourselves in Scripture, we align our hearts and minds with God’s will, allowing His wisdom to guide our steps. A Tree Planted by the Riverbank: In verse 3, the psalmist uses a vivid metaphor to describe the life of the righteous: “They are like trees planted along the riverbank, bearing fruit each season. Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.” This imagery of a tree planted by the riverbank conveys stability, nourishment, and productivity. Just as a tree draws sustenance from the river, so the righteous draw life and strength from their relationship with God. The tree’s ability to bear fruit each season represents the consistent and enduring nature of a life rooted in God’s Word. Regardless of external circumstances, the righteous flourish and prosper...

Welcome to Day 2399 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2399 – Marching Orders for Soldiers of the Cross – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message – 06/09/2024 Our Strange Life – Marching Orders for Soldiers of the Cross. 1 Peter 4:7-11 Last week, our focus was on the attitude that we, as Christ's Followers, should have and on the possibility that our lives may shock the unbelieving crowd. Today, Peter gives us Marching Orders for Soldiers of the Cross. Today’s passage is 1 Peter 4:7-11, on page 1891 of your Pew Bibles. I will read it from the NIV and the NLT today to give us a better perspective of this passage.  7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be alert and of sober mind so that you may pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. 7 The end of the world is coming soon. Therefore, be earnest and disciplined in your prayers. 8 Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Cheerfully share your home with those who need a meal or a place to stay. 10 God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. 11 Do you have the gift of speaking? Then speak as though God himself were speaking through you. Do you have the gift of helping others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. The name “Peter" and the adjective “practical" go hand in hand. Being married helped. So did his career as a fisherman. Before following Christ, Peter was a man of action, which is evident throughout Christ's ministry. Peter’s life consisted of tangible, practical things: boats, nets, fish, sweat, hard work, family—the nitty-gritty of real life. We shouldn’t be surprised to discover his rugged personality and to-the-point style flow through his writing. Being neither scholarly nor sophisticated, Peter had little interest in theoretical discussions. Truth was meant to be lived, not simply talked about and then ignored. The way he figured, if there is a cause worth fighting for, fight—don't philosophize! The man rolled up his sleeves and dug in if urgency required action. When Peter began to dictate this letter to suffering saints, he didn’t beat around the fig tree; he got down to basics. Urgency led to simplicity. Amid his discussion of facing suffering with hope in Christ, Peter can’t avoid the practical effects of living in light of Christ's return. He doesn't get bogged down speculating about the hows, whens, and wheres of the end times; he focuses instead on the question, “So what?" He answers this bottom-line...

Welcome to Day 2398 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Wisdom Nuggets – Ecclesiastes 12:8-14 Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2398 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2398 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I will guide you through the vast landscapes of biblical wisdom. Today, we’re concluding our journey through the book of Ecclesiastes. Our focus will be on Ecclesiastes 12:8-14 from the New Living Translation. These verses wrap up Solomon’s profound exploration of life’s meaning, providing us with final reflections and essential truths to live by. Let’s embark on this trek together and uncover the timeless wisdom that Solomon shares with us. Ecclesiastes 12:8-14 (NLT): 8 “Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless.” 9 Keep this in mind: The Teacher was considered wise, and he taught the people everything he knew. He listened carefully to many proverbs, studying and classifying them. 10 The Teacher sought to find just the right words to express truths clearly. 11 The words of the wise are like cattle prods—painful but helpful. Their collected sayings are like a nail-studded stick with which a shepherd drives the sheep. 12 But, my child, let me give you some further advice: Be careful, for writing books is endless, and much study wears you out. 13 That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. 14 God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad. The Teacher’s Final Verdict: Solomon begins his final reflections with a familiar refrain: “Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless” (verse 8). This phrase might initially seem disheartening, but it’s crucial to understand its context. Throughout Ecclesiastes, Solomon has explored various aspects of life—wealth, pleasure, work, and wisdom—only to find that they are ultimately fleeting and unable to provide lasting fulfillment. By reiterating this statement at the end, Solomon emphasizes the futility of seeking meaning in worldly pursuits alone. This doesn’t mean life is without value; it underscores the importance of looking beyond temporary, earthly things to find true purpose and significance. The Teacher’s Role and Wisdom: In verses 9 and 10, Solomon reflects on his role as a teacher: “Keep this in mind: The Teacher was considered wise, and he taught the people everything he knew. He listened carefully to many proverbs, studying and classifying them. The Teacher sought to find just the right words to express truths clearly.” Solomon’s wisdom and dedication to teaching are evident. He listened carefully, studied diligently, and sought to convey truths clearly and effectively. His commitment to understanding and sharing wisdom highlights the importance of thoughtful reflection and communication. As we seek wisdom in our lives, we can learn from Solomon’s...

Welcome to Day 2397 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Wisdom Nuggets – Ecclesiastes 12:1-6 Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2397 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2397 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I will guide you through the vast landscapes of biblical wisdom. Today, we’re continuing our journey through the book of Ecclesiastes. Our focus will be on Ecclesiastes 12:1-6 from the New Living Translation. These verses are a poignant reminder about the inevitability of aging and the importance of remembering our Creator throughout our lives. Let’s embark on this trek together and uncover the timeless wisdom that Solomon shares with us. Ecclesiastes 12:1-6 (NLT): 1 Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.” 2 Remember him before the light of the sun, moon, and stars is dim to your old eyes, and rain clouds continually darken your sky. 3 Remember him before your legs—the guards of your house—start to tremble; and before your shoulders—the strong men—stoop. Remember him before your teeth—your few remaining servants—stop grinding; and before your eyes—the women looking through the windows—see dimly. 4 Remember him before the door to life’s opportunities is closed and the sound of work fades. Now you rise at the first chirping of the birds, but then all their sounds will grow faint. 5 Remember him before you become fearful of falling and worry about danger in the streets; before your hair turns white like an almond tree in bloom, and you drag along without energy like a dying grasshopper, and the caperberry no longer inspires sexual desire. Remember him before you near the grave, your everlasting home, when the mourners will weep at your funeral. 6 Yes, remember your Creator now while you are young, before the silver cord of life snaps and the golden bowl is broken. Don’t wait until the water jar is smashed at the spring and the pulley is broken at the well. Remembering Our Creator: Solomon begins this passage with a heartfelt exhortation: “Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, ‘Life is not pleasant anymore’” (verse 1). This verse underscores the importance of establishing a relationship with God early in life. The vigor and excitement of youth can often lead us to neglect our spiritual lives, but Solomon warns against this. Instead, we should honor God while we are still young and full of energy. Remembering our Creator during our youth sets the foundation for a life that is grounded in faith and purpose. It helps us navigate the challenges and temptations that come with youth and instills values that guide us throughout our lives. By honoring God early, we build a strong spiritual foundation that sustains us as we grow older. The Inevitability of Aging: In verses 2-5, Solomon vividly describes aging: “Remember him before...

Welcome to Day 2396 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom – Theology Thursday – Counting the Ten Commandments – I Dare You Not To Bore Me With The Bible Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2396 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2396 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before.   Today is the ninth lesson in our segment, Theology Thursday. Utilizing excerpts from a book titled: I Dare You Not To Bore Me With The Bible written by Hebrew Bible scholar and professor the late Dr. Michael S Heiser, we will invest a couple of years going through the entire Bible, exploring short Biblical lessons that you may not have received in Bible classes or Church. The Bible is a wonderful book. Its pages reveal the epic story of God’s redemption of humankind and the long, bitter conflict against evil. Yet it’s also a book that seems strange to us. While God’s Word was written for us, it wasn’t written to us. Today, our lesson is Counting the Ten Commandments. One of the most enduring elements of the Bible and the Judaeo-Christian worldview within Western culture is the Decalogue, the Ten Commandments. Even if one can’t recite them all, most people have seen the fiery finger of God etch the commandments into two stone tablets as Moses— for many of us, Charlton Heston—watches in awe. It seems to go without saying that the list of the Ten Commandments is something that Judaism and Christianity have always agreed upon. Well, that is not exactly true. Historically speaking, Jews and Christians—and even denominations within Christianity—have disagreed on exactly how the Ten Commandments should be listed and expressed. In fact, how to precisely spell out the commandments was an issue of considerable importance during the Protestant Reformation. The difference concerns how many commands are found in the first six verses and last two verses of Exodus 20:2-17, the initial listing of the commandments received by Moses at Sinai.- One point of context is required before we can understand the thinking behind the differences in the listing and expression of the commandments. Any listing of the commandments must result in a total of ten, because three other passages of Scripture fix the number of commandments at ten. Exodus 34:28, Deuteronomy 4:13, and Deuteronomy 10:4 each clearly tell us that God gave Moses ‘asereth hadvarim (“ten words”; “ten statements”) at Sinai. Interestingly, the Jewish tradition treats the statement in Exodus 20:2 (compare Deut 5:6) as a command when the wording has no imperative force to it at all. This latitude arises from the fact that the Hebrew text of the Old Testament exclusively uses ‘asereth hadvarim (“ten words”) instead of ‘asereth hamitsvot (“ten commandments”) with respect to the contents of Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5. After regarding Exodus 20:2 as the first “word” of the ten, verses 3-6 are thematically understood as speaking to a single prohibition: making idols for worship. There are actually three imperative statements in this group of verses ( You must not have any other god but me. You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind or an image of anything. You must not bow down to them or worship...

Welcome to Day 2395 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Wisdom Nuggets – Ecclesiastes 11:7-10 Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2395 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2395 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I will guide you through the vast landscapes of biblical wisdom. Today, we’re continuing our journey through the book of Ecclesiastes. Our focus will be on Ecclesiastes 11:7-10 from the New Living Translation. These verses offer profound insights into the fleeting nature of life, the importance of enjoying our days, and the sobering reminder of accountability. Let’s embark on this trek together and uncover the timeless wisdom that Solomon shares with us. Ecclesiastes 11:7-10 (NLT): 7 Light is sweet; how pleasant to see a new day dawning. 8 When people live to be very old, let them rejoice in every day of life. But let them also remember there will be many dark days. Everything still to come is meaningless. 9 Young people, it’s wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do; take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do. 10 So refuse to worry, and keep your body healthy. But remember that youth, with a whole life before you, is meaningless. The Sweetness of Life: Solomon begins this passage with a beautiful acknowledgment of the sweetness of life: “Light is sweet; how pleasant to see a new day dawning” (verse 7). This verse captures the joy and gratitude we should feel for each new day. The dawn of a new day symbolizes hope, opportunities, and the simple pleasures of being alive. It’s a call to appreciate the gift of life and the beauty that each day brings. This perspective encourages us to start our days with a sense of wonder and thankfulness. The rising sun reminds us of God’s faithfulness and the continuous renewal cycle. Each new day is an opportunity to experience God’s grace, love, learn, and grow. By acknowledging the sweetness of life, we cultivate a heart of gratitude and joy. Rejoicing in Each Day: In verse 8, Solomon advises, “When people live to be very old, let them rejoice in every day of life. But let them also remember there will be many dark days. Everything still to come is meaningless.” Here, Solomon emphasizes the importance of rejoicing in each day, regardless of our age. Every day is a gift and should be celebrated. However, he also reminds us that life is not without its challenges and dark days. This dual perspective is crucial. While we should find joy in each day, we must also recognize the reality of life’s hardships. Solomon’s mention that “everything still to come is meaningless” reminds us of the transient nature of our earthly existence. This doesn’t mean life is without value, but rather that we should not place ultimate significance on the temporal things of this world. Rejoicing each day involves embracing both the good and the bad, finding meaning in our experiences, and cherishing our moments. It’s about living...

Welcome to Day 2394 of Wisdom-Trek. Thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Day 2394 – How to Shock an Unbelieving Crowd 4:1-6 – Daily Wisdom Putnam Church Message – 06/02/2024 Our Strange Life – How to Shock an Unbelieving Crowd. 1 Peter 4:1-6 Last week, we explored the importance of being a faithful Christ Follower and the necessity of public baptism for Focusing Fully on Jesus Christ. Today, we focus on the attitude that we, as Christ's Followers, should have and on the possibility that our lives may shock the unbelieving crowd. Today’s passage is 1 Peter 4:1-6, on page 1890 of your Pew Bibles.  1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because whoever suffers in the body is done with sin. 2 As a result, they do not live the rest of their earthly lives for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3 For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatry. 4 They are surprised that you do not join them in their reckless, wild living, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to human standards in regard to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit. Throughout the New Testament, we read of the changed life that follows genuine conversion. When God freely and fully forgives the sins of our former life|when the righteousness of Christ is credited to our account |and the Spirit of God takes up residence in our hearts|then the old things pass away, and all things become new (2 Cor. 5:17). This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun! The lifelong process of transformation begins. This radical series of changes alters our attitudes, inner motives, habits, and pursuits, as well as our choice of close friends. As far back as the first century, Peter wrote of all these things. Though almost two thousand years separate us from Peter’s original audience, there isn’t a Christian today who can't identify with the apostle’s words. Written for a particular time, they are nevertheless timeless. They speak with incredible relevance today, especially his comments regarding the reaction of those who don't know the Lord. In this section, Peter reminds us that because our citizenship is in heaven, the current world isn’t our true home in its current form until Jesus transforms it into a Global Eden upon his return. We're representatives, yes, Ambassadors of a different kingdom. And like foreign tourists visiting another country, we may be the only way people get a picture of what God's kingdom is like. As a result, unbelievers today will either be attracted or repelled by our heavenly home. -4:1-3- With the logical conjunction “therefore," Peter is saying in shorthand, “Now, in light of everything I have just written about Christ, I’m going to present you with some practical conclusions.” In the previous...

Welcome to Day 2393 of Wisdom-Trek, and thank you for joining me. This is Guthrie Chamberlain, Your Guide to Wisdom Wisdom Nuggets – Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 Wisdom-Trek Podcast Script - Day 2393 Welcome to Wisdom-Trek with Gramps! I am Guthrie Chamberlain, and we are on Day 2393 of our Trek. The Purpose of Wisdom-Trek is to create a legacy of wisdom, to seek out discernment and insights, and to boldly grow where few have chosen to grow before. In today’s Wisdom Nugget, I will guide you through the vast landscapes of biblical wisdom. Today, we’re continuing our journey through the book of Ecclesiastes. Our focus will be on Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 from the New Living Translation. In these verses, Solomon offers profound insights into the principles of generosity, the unpredictability of life, and the importance of diligent work. Let’s embark on this trek together and uncover the timeless wisdom that Solomon shares with us. Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 (NLT): 1 Send your grain across the seas, and in time, profits will flow back to you. 2 But divide your investments among many places, for you do not know what risks might lie ahead. 3 When clouds are heavy, the rains come down. Whether a tree falls north or south, it stays where it falls. 4 Farmers who wait for perfect weather never plant. If they watch every cloud, they never harvest. 5 Just as you cannot understand the path of the wind or the mystery of a tiny baby growing in its mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the activity of God, who does all things. 6 Plant your seed in the morning and keep busy all afternoon, for you don’t know if profit will come from one activity or another—or maybe both. The Principle of Generosity and Investment: Solomon begins this passage with a powerful metaphor about generosity and investment: “Send your grain across the seas, and in time, profits will flow back to you” (verse 1). This suggests that we should not be afraid to take risks and invest our resources, whether they be financial, time, or talents. By putting our resources out into the world, we open up the possibility of future returns. It’s a call to action, encouraging us to be proactive and forward-thinking. In verse 2, Solomon advises, “But divide your investments among many places, for you do not know what risks might lie ahead.” This introduces the principle of diversification. As wise investors spread their investments to mitigate risk, we should diversify our efforts and resources. This means not putting all our eggs in one basket but spreading out our resources to increase the chances of success and minimize potential losses. These verses teach us about the importance of generosity and strategic investment. By being generous and wise with our resources, we create opportunities for growth and future returns. It’s about taking calculated risks and being open to the possibilities that come from sharing what we have with the world. The Unpredictability of Life: Solomon then addresses the unpredictability of life in verse 3: “When clouds are heavy, the rains come down. Whether a tree falls north or south, it stays where it falls.” This verse reminds us that certain events in life...