Psalm 49:12-14 English Standard Version
12 Man in his pomp will not remain; he is like the beasts that perish.
13 This is the path of those who have foolish confidence; yet after them people approve of their boasts. Selah
14 Like sheep they are appointed for Sheol; death shall be their shepherd, and the upright shall rule over them in the morning. Their form shall be consumed in Sheol, with no place to dwell.
Yesterday these words were used: “The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth and some of us are not as experienced at hearing the Holy Spirit as others.”
We all want to get this life in Christ right. We care enough about this life to take the time to read His Word, study His Word, and try our best to have a proper understanding.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 English Standard Version
16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of Godmay be complete, equipped for every good work.
Footnotes 2 Timothy 3:17 That is, a messenger of God (the phrase echoes a common Old Testament expression)
My inclusion of what others said that came before me is a clear indication that I do not know it all. I have no reason to boast about my knowledge of His Word since I rely so heavily upon the works of others. This whole line of thinking was prompted by my issue with the word Sheol. If I am a messenger of God or at least make a good conscious effort, then I should know what I am taking about. What I discovered in my search for understanding of Sheol was this in the ISBE.
The etymology of the word is uncertain. A favorite derivation is from sha’al, “to ask”; others prefer the sha’al, “to be hollow.”
It literally means “I have nothing. I need to ask.” The history of the word is an ancient attempt to describe a condition they know absolutely nothing about. Man in his discomfort will try and fill this void, this nothing, with foolish confidence as noted in Psalm 46. The more people that he can get to agree with him, the better he feels.
The best trained man in foolish confidence said, “For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.”