Today we’re talking about Psalm 8 and Proverbs 8. For the purpose of this sermon, we’ll simply refer to them as The Eights.

Both of The Eights deal with creation—observable nature. The Psalmist praises God’s handiwork: “When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and stars, which you have set in place—what are human beings that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?” (Psalm 8:3–4)

It’s a song of thanksgiving: for life, for beauty, for our place in the vast, awe-inspiring cosmos.

In Proverbs 8, Wisdom herself speaks, praising God for the wisdom woven into creation:
how the sea has its boundary, how the earth’s foundations are sure and trustworthy.
It’s not just that things exist—it’s that they have meaning, beauty, and purpose.

Maybe it’s a lifetime of watching nature documentaries, but I love The Eights. These ancient texts were written by people immersed in nature. They didn’t have air conditioning. No cars to shuttle them around town.  Half the luxuries we take for granted didn’t exist.
Their lives were closer to the ground—literally: dirtier, smellier, and far less comfortable.

If you want to get closer to God? Get out in nature. When we’re bored, we pick up our phones. When they were bored, they stared into a fire. Or watched the clouds. Or water. And do you know that these things are still in our DNA?  Studies indicate that watching a fire, water, or clouds lower blood pressure, heart rate, and cortisol levels, contributing to an overall sense of calm and wellbeing.

Someone once said, “Cleanliness is next to godliness.” I’m no longer sure about that. Last year during sabbatical, I made sure to spend my time closer to the dirt. At the edge of the Pacific Ocean: We got sand everywhere—and it was glorious. I’ve spoken at length about my love for the redwoods. Camping with Sam in Loudonville was just as lovely. We returned home smelling like campfire and river water. Relaxed and refreshed.

The ancients were keen observers of the natural world. Maybe we should be, too. A few weeks ago, we took a family cruise and visited the ruins of Chacchoben—an important Mayan city dating back to 200 years before Jesus. Our tour guide told us about the Mayans’ deep reverence for nature and the cosmos.

The Mayans considered mountains sacred. Mountains create their own weather. Rivers often begin there—from springs, runoff, snowmelt. Clouds gather around them. To get closer to their gods, the Mayans built temples shaped like mountains—man-made high places that lifted their prayers to the skies.

Take a look at our worship spaces: our rooflines reach up. Our gothic windows point heavenward. Just like the Maya, we build upward when we’re reaching for the divine.

The Mayans were also obsessed with math and astronomy. They had their own number system—remarkably advanced and accurate. With no telescopes, they identified five visible planets: Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. Through generations of meticulous observation, they calculated the orbits of these planets.

Here’s the astonishing part: They were off by only 15 to 60 minutes from modern measurements. That’s it. By eye. Thousands of years ago. No satellites. No James Webb Telescope. Just dedication and wisdom passed through generations. They even predicted solar and lunar eclipses five years out—more accurately than any other ancient civilization. And they used this data to align temples, plan agricultural cycles, and mark moments of ritual and war.

Sadly, much of this knowledge was destroyed—colonizers burned their books and temples. The fact that we know anything about it is a miracle.

Being at Chacchoben made me feel incredibly thankful to be alive. Yes, it was hot and muggy. But I missed the place before I left it. There was deep wisdom there. And walking amid those ruins, I felt connected to these ancient people.

Did the Mayans believe strange things? Sure. They practiced human sacrifice. They engaged in war. But let’s be honest—we do, too.

Same with the Bible and the Hebrew people. Spending time in Scripture connects me to them. They also believed in strange things. They said things differently. They had a strange diet in Leviticus and rules around clothing and oxen and such. And yet—we share a love for nature, for the beauty of the sky, for the wonder of being alive.

We, too, believe strange things.

We believe the death penalty brings justice—but it doesn’t bring anyone back. That’s human sacrifice.

We believe war solves our problems. All it does is sow seeds for the next one.

We believe we’re the land of the free—yet we incarcerate more people than any other nation.

We believe we’re a Christian nation—yet when it comes time to fund food stamps, school meals, or health care, we cry “socialism.” Even though Jesus fed the hungry, prayed for debt forgiveness, and healed people everywhere he went.

Spending time in Scripture and among Mayan ruins reminded me: we haven’t changed that much. Yet let’s focus on the good things: We’re still captivated by the night sky.
We’re still trying to live peacefully with our neighbors.
We’re still seeking wisdom.

We cannot afford to be arrogant—to think we’re better or smarter than those who came before us. They couldn’t live in our world, and we couldn’t live in theirs. But they knew things. And if we listen with humility, we just might learn something.

And that brings us back to The Eights.

The number 8 holds deep symbolic meaning in Hebrew thought:

• Seven is the number of creation and completeness—seven days of the week, with Sabbath on the seventh.
• Eight goes beyond the natural order. It means new beginnings, transcendence, covenant, and hope.

Here are some examples:

1. Circumcision on the Eighth Day – Genesis 17:12, Leviticus 12:3. It marked covenant identity beyond biology. Jesus was circumcised on the eighth day (Luke 2:21).
2. Hanukkah – A miracle that lasted 8 days with only enough oil for one: divine abundance beyond expectation.
3. Priestly Ordination – After seven days, the priests began their service on the eighth—God’s presence beginning anew (Leviticus 9).
4. David, the Eighth Son – As we learned in our Prophet and King series back in the winter, God chose the unlikely one for new leadership and future hope (1 Samuel 16).
5. Resurrection – Jesus rose on the first day of the week, the “eighth day,” the day of new creation. “The Lord’s Day is the eighth day, the day beyond time, the day of new creation.” —Early Christian Teaching

Even our baptismal fonts—look closely—are eight-sided, symbolizing resurrection and new life.

So friends, you are surrounded by the wisdom of our ancestors—near and far. You are surrounded by God’s wisdom.

At your baptism—the eights were by your side.

When you gaze into the night sky—you’re on the Eights.

When you feel awe, or gratitude, or wonder—you are standing in that space beyond the seventh day, where eternity breaks in, and new creation begins.

You are connected to thousands of years of seekers, observers, pilgrims, and prophets.

Take time this week and go for a hike. Sit beside water. Maybe make a firepit with s’mores because chocolate makes everything better and the Mayans invented it. As you do these things, know that you’re connected to every human that has come before you. You are never alone. Not for a second. Thanks be to God. Amen.