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Welcome to Wise Counsel, a daily five-minute devotional hosted by RM Smith. Each episode dives deep into biblical scholarship and Ancient Near Eastern context, offering concise insights into Scripture to illuminate its timeless truths and practical applications. Join RM Smith as he explores the cultural and historical backgrounds that enrich our understanding of God's Word, equipping you to navigate life's challenges with wisdom and discernment. Tune in for your daily dose of spiritual nourishment!
57 Episodes
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In this episode of Wise Counsel, host Robert Smith explores Leviticus 19:19, where God commands Israel not to wear garments made of mixed fabrics. To modern ears, it sounds trivial or arbitrary—but scholars like Dr. Michael S. Heiser and Carol Meyers show that this law was about sacred order, holiness, and boundaries. Robert unpacks how even the threads of daily life pointed ancient Israel toward a deeper truth: God’s people were to remain distinct, woven together in purity, not blended with the patterns of the nations. From linen and wool to faith and culture, we’ll discover how holiness still speaks through the ordinary.
In this episode of Wise Counsel, host Robert Smith explores the strange-sounding command in Exodus 23:19—“You shall not boil a young goat in its mother’s milk.” To modern readers, it feels arbitrary, even odd. But as scholars like Dr. Michael S. Heiser and Tremper Longman III explain, this law confronts ancient Canaanite fertility rituals and points to a deeper truth about life, holiness, and gratitude. Robert unpacks how God taught Israel to reject pagan symbolism that blended life and death—and how we too must guard against worshiping the gifts of creation instead of the Giver.
In this episode of Wise Counsel, host Robert Smith unpacks one of the Old Testament’s most puzzling commands: Leviticus 19:27 — “You shall not round off the hair on your temples or mar the edges of your beard.” Was God really regulating hairstyles? Scholars like Dr. Michael S. Heiser and Dr. Carol Meyers show that this law wasn’t about grooming—it was about grief, identity, and loyalty. Robert explores how this rule separated Israel from pagan mourning rituals and declared that God’s people were to find life, not identity, in their covenant with Him.
In this episode of Wise Counsel, host Robert Smith examines one of the most quoted — and most misunderstood — passages on giving: Malachi 3:8–10. Often used to pressure Christians into tithing, this text was originally spoken to Israel’s covenant community, not to the New Testament Church. Drawing on the insights of Dr. Michael S. Heiser and Dr. John Walton, we’ll uncover how this passage fits into the story of covenant faithfulness, not church fundraising. Along the way, we’ll reflect on what it truly means to honor God with our resources — not out of fear, but from freedom and faith.
In this episode of Wise Counsel, host Robert Smith explores 1 Kings 10:14–11:8, where Solomon’s golden age begins to tarnish. What happens when divine wisdom becomes worldly success? Drawing on insights from Dr. Michael S. Heiser and Tremper Longman III, Robert unpacks the meaning behind Solomon’s 666 talents of gold and how wealth, power, and pride can quietly dethrone our trust in God. From ancient Israel to modern America, we’ll see how the pursuit of self-sufficiency still tempts us to build golden empires—and forget the Giver of every gift.
Why do Christians celebrate Christmas on December 25—or January 6—or even September 11? Are these dates rooted in pagan traditions, theological patterns, or something else entirely? In this episode of Wise Counsel, we explore how God redeems time, how early Christians thought theologically about calendars, and how biblical scholarship, including the work of Dr. Michael Heiser, brings deeper insight into the real birthday of Jesus—and what it all means for living with gospel-centered purpose.
🎄 Are Christmas trees and holiday lights pagan? What about gift-giving or Santa Claus? In this episode of Wise Counsel, we explore how Christians can engage with cultural traditions—especially around the holidays—without compromising the gospel. Drawing from the teachings of Dr. Michael Heiser and biblical precedent, we ask: Can tradition be redeemed for God’s glory?
In this episode of Wise Counsel, Robert Smith reflects on Hebrews 12:1: “Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses…” The writer of Hebrews invites us to run the race of faith with endurance, supported by those who have gone before. Drawing on Michael S. Heiser’s The Unseen Realm and Craig S. Keener’s commentary on Hebrews, Robert explores how the “cloud of witnesses” reminds us that faith is never lived in isolation. From the perseverance of early martyrs to modern heroes of faith, this passage calls us to courage. Connections are made to American history’s “great cloud” of witnesses in the civil rights movement and even the heroic sagas of Western literature.
In this episode of Wise Counsel, Robert Smith unpacks Titus 1:2: “in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began.” Eternal life isn’t wishful thinking—it’s anchored in God’s unshakable promise. Drawing on the insights of Michael S. Heiser (The Unseen Realm)and N.T. Wright (Surprised by Hope), we’ll explore how the promise of eternal life shaped the earliest Christians and continues to sustain believers today. Along the way, we’ll connect this theme to America’s founding vision of liberty and to pop culture’s longing for immortality.
In this episode of Wise Counsel, host Robert Smith reflects on Romans 8:28: “And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good.” This passage anchors us in God’s providence even amid suffering and uncertainty. Drawing on the insights of scholars like Michael S. Heiser (The Unseen Realm) and N.T. Wright (Paul and the Faithfulness of God), Robert explores how God weaves even pain and failure into His larger purposes. Along the way, we connect this truth to the endurance of the civil rights movement and even modern pop culture’s obsession with “happy endings.”
Today’s Wise Counsel episode dives deep into Jeremiah 29:11, a timeless passage speaking of hope amid uncertainty. Exploring the original context and its relevance for modern believers, host Robert Smith uncovers how this promise points to God’s future and our place within it. Featuring insights from renowned scholars Michael S. Heiser and Craig S. Keener, the episode bridges ancient texts with today’s cultural moments—echoing America’s history of hope and resilience through trial.
In this episode of Wise Counsel, Robert Smith explores the story of God’s Temple Presence from Solomon’s temple filled with glory, to the Second Temple where the glory was missing—until Jesus himself entered—to the breathtaking reality that every Christian believer is now God’s temple. Our main passage is 1 Corinthians 3:16–17, which redefines holiness and worship not as places we go, but as lives indwelt by the Spirit. Drawing on insights from Michael S. Heiser, Craig S. Keener, N.T. Wright, and Carol Meyers, we’ll trace this biblical theology and consider what it means for how we live today. Along the way, we’ll connect the temple theme to American history and even to pop culture, reminding us that God’s presence is closer than we dare imagine.
In this episode of Wise Counsel, we explore the true meaning of Sabbath through the lens of Genesis 2:1–3. Was God’s “rest” about inactivity—or about His kingship over creation? Drawing on the insights of Dr. Michael S. Heiser and Dr. John Walton, we’ll see how the seventh day in Genesis is not merely a pause in work but God’s enthronement in His cosmic temple. Along the way, we’ll reflect on what it means to live under God’s reign every day, and how Sabbath invites us to reorient our lives toward His kingdom in a restless world.
In this episode of Wise Counsel, host Robert Smith reflects on Psalm 33:1–3, a call to “sing a new song” and to worship the Lord with joy, skill, and sincerity. This passage reminds us that worship is both a response to God’s past faithfulness and an anticipation of His future acts. Drawing on insights from Tremper Longman III and Michael Heiser, we’ll see how the psalm ties earthly worship to the cosmic story of God’s reign. From biblical scholarship to echoes in culture and history, we’ll consider how to make our worship fresh and wholehearted today.
In today’s episode of Wise Counsel, host Robert Smith explores Micah 6:6–8, where the prophet calls God’s people not to empty ritual, but to justice, mercy, and humility. This passage challenges us to consider what true worship looks like beyond church walls and Sunday mornings. Drawing on insights from Michael S. Heiser (on the covenantal faithfulness of God’s people) and N.T. Wright (on kingdom ethics and public witness), we reflect on what it means to “do justice” in both personal life and public society. With echoes in American history—from Abraham Lincoln’s vision of a just nation to Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream of righteousness like rolling waters—this episode reminds us that faith is always lived out in action.
Romans 8 opens with a thunderous truth: “There is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” In this short devotional, we explore the liberating power of the gospel and the indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit. Whether you’re burdened by past mistakes or striving to live rightly before God, this episode will remind you that freedom isn’t something you earn—it’s something you receive.
In a world where faith is often sidelined or silenced, what does it mean to live unashamed of the gospel? In this episode of Wise Counsel, host Robert Smith explores Romans 1:16 through the lens of the ancient story of Onesimus, a runaway slave transformed by grace. With biblical insight and practical encouragement, this devotional reminds us that the gospel isn’t just a message—it’s power. Power to redeem, to restore, and to embolden us to live without fear.
In this episode of Wise Counsel, we explore Psalm 91, a passage rich in imagery and spiritual depth. Often turned to in times of crisis or uncertainty, this psalm isn't just poetic—it’s a bold declaration of trust in Yahweh as a divine protector. Drawing on the theological insights of Michael Heiser and Craig S. Keener, we examine how Psalm 91's language of shelter, shadow, and wings connects to the ancient Near Eastern backdrop and the broader biblical worldview of spiritual warfare and covenant loyalty. Whether you're facing physical danger, emotional unrest, or spiritual attack, this psalm speaks a word of refuge and resilience.
In this episode of Wise Counsel, we reflect on Psalm 90, the only psalm attributed to Moses, alongside the profound theological vision of Deuteronomy 32. Together, these texts form a spiritual map for God's people standing in the tension between wilderness and promise. With help from Dr. Michael Heiser, we explore how the Divine Council worldview and Israel’s chosenness deepen our understanding of God's sovereignty, life’s brevity, and the call to wisdom in a spiritually contested world. Whether you're facing a personal wilderness or feeling overwhelmed by the chaos around you, Psalm 90 reminds us that God is our eternal dwelling place.
In this episode of Wise Counsel, we explore the Divine Council worldview—a biblically grounded yet often overlooked theme that illuminates God’s authority, the spiritual realm, and our role in God’s cosmic plan. With help from Michael Heiser, whose scholarship on Psalm 82 and related passages has reshaped how we understand the unseen realm, we look at the heavenly council where God presides over spiritual beings. Far from polytheism, this concept reinforces Yahweh’s unmatched sovereignty. It also equips us to better understand spiritual warfare, justice, and our own kingdom authority as believers in Christ.
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