Hinge Verse: Psalm 49:15
Psalm 49 is written to all the inhabitants of the world, no matter their social or economic status. The psalmist has the gift of speaking knowledge, truth, and wisdom in a way that is understood. He even sets his questions and riddles to music sometimes, as a way of working through his thoughts. His first riddle--comparing the way he handles times of trouble, contrasting his reaction with that of his rivals. He sees them trusting in wealth, bragging about how much they have; yet he knows that they can't buy their way to God. It's a useless struggle they couldn't ever afford. If they'd give up their earthly pursuit, they may actually find the truth of redemption and eternal life.
The psalmist has noticed the circle of life for a wealthy man--obtain things, die, leave it to others. For all the properties that bear his name, his permanent address is the graveyard, and he can't take his riches with him. And he's not alone; the cemetery is full of arrogant people who have lived their lives for possessions and death shepherded them to a wasteland.
Korah's story is found in
Numbers 16. Korah was jealous of Moses's calling from God to be a leader over the Israelites, so he organized a rebellion against him. So Moses challenged Korah to a test to see once and for all if God's calling on Moses was real or self-imposed. The outcome of the challenge was the ground splitting open and swallowing Korah and his household, all Korah's people, and all their possessions. They went down alive into Sheol with all that belonged to them. The earth closed over them, and they vanished from the assembly.
But God...the psalmists who wrote Psalm 49 are identified as sons of Korah. While their whole family was taken down into Sheol alive, generations later, here are his descendants--alive and leading worship in God's temple. By His grace, God redeemed them from the power of Sheol. The arrogance of Korah was not passed on for generations. God reclaimed Korah's story for the good of His people, and for His own glory.
Jonathan Edwards was (and still is) a very famous theologian and preacher. He was born in 1703, the son and grandson of ministers. He entered Yale college just before he turned 13. Upon being ordained in the ministry, he devoted himself to study of God's Word--usually for 13 hours a day. Jonathan Edwards was instrumental in the First Great Awakening and other revivals in the colonies. He gave a sermon in 1741 called "Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God", which is still respected and quoted to this day.
Edwards' stance on wealth and poverty can be summed up in his own words--
""The great men in the world... kings, princes, and lords, when they die are as much deprived of all their outward prosperity as Job was: tis lost at once, and gone forever, never to be possessed more... how poor a treasure really! To look for happiness in a happiness which doesn't last".
Aaron Burr, Jr was born in 1756. He is a famous player in the earliest days of America. (Although most of what I knew of him before this day was learned from "Hamilton--The Musical".) Aaron Burr, Jr wasn't afraid to work, and he was a talented contributor to the laws, politics, and businesses of his day. But he was greedy and jealous of the wealth and positions of others. This greed and jealousy guided his actions, eventually leading him to murder his rival, Alexander Hamilton. After the murder, he lost most of his wealth, fame, and the respect of his peers. He had run-ins with the law; he married a wealthy widow and drained her savings. He died in poverty in 1836, never having turned to the God of his childhood.
Aaron Burr, Jr.--famed politician--was the grandson of Jonathan Edwards. The man who to this day reaches people with the gospel has a famous grandson who died an impoverished murderer. Why?
Because God--Elohim in verse 15--singular yet plural, one God with many attritubes, does not accept payment into His presence. Wealth is meant to be a gift from His hand not a curse. Korah's descendants understood what Korah did not. Jonathan Edwards understood what his grandson would not. But God will redeem you from the power of Sheol, He will take you. If you are willing and surrender to Him.
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