**The Folly of the Wicked and the Faithfulness of God**

In the days when the kingdoms of men were many and the hearts of rulers grew proud, there arose a generation that forgot the Lord. The psalmist’s words echoed through the ages: *”The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.'”* And so it was in the land of Ephraim, where wickedness spread like a creeping vine, choking the hearts of the people.

### **The City of Vanity**

In the valley of Shinar, not far from where the ancient tower of Babel once stood, there was a city called Korash. Its walls were high, its markets bustling, and its people prosperous. Yet, though silver and gold filled their coffers, their souls were empty. The elders of Korash scoffed at the thought of a divine judge. “We are the masters of our fate,” they declared, lifting their cups in feasts that stretched deep into the night.

The poor and the needy cried out in the streets, but no one listened. The righteous who walked among them were scorned. “Why do you pray to a silent God?” the mockers sneered. “Look at our strength! See what our hands have built!”

### **The Righteous Remnant**

But in the shadow of Korash’s towering temples, there lived a humble man named Eliab. He was a potter, shaping clay with patient hands, and in the quiet of his workshop, he whispered prayers to the God of his fathers. His wife, Miriam, and their children clung to the ways of the Lord, though they were few in number.

One evening, as Eliab knelt in prayer, a deep sorrow filled his heart. “O Lord,” he cried, “have You looked down from heaven upon the sons of men? Are there any who seek after You?” The words of the psalm burned within him, for he saw the corruption around him—the oppression, the deceit, the blood spilled by violent hands.

### **The Coming Judgment**

Then, in the stillness of the night, the Lord spoke to Eliab in a vision. He saw the heavens open, and the breath of God swept over the earth like a mighty wind. The foundations of Korash trembled. The proud rulers, who had feasted without fear, were struck with terror. Their wisdom had become folly, their strength turned to weakness.

For the Lord had indeed looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any who understood, who sought after God. And He saw that all had turned aside; together they had become corrupt. There was none who did good, not even one.

### **The Fall of the Wicked**

Before the next moon had waned, disaster struck Korash. A fire broke out in the heart of the city, consuming the storehouses of the greedy. The armies of a neighboring kingdom, long held at bay by Korash’s wealth, now saw their weakness and attacked. The mighty were brought low, their idols shattered, their boasts silenced.

Yet in the midst of the ruin, Eliab and his family were spared. The Lord was their refuge, as He had always been for those who trusted in Him. When the invaders came, they passed over Eliab’s home, for an unseen hand guarded them.

### **The Salvation of the Righteous**

When the storm had passed, Eliab emerged from the ashes of Korash, leading a small band of survivors—those who had turned back to God in repentance. They wandered for many days until they found a new land, a place where they could dwell in peace.

And there, under the open sky, Eliab raised his voice in praise: *”Oh, that salvation for Israel would come out of Zion! When the Lord restores His people, let Jacob rejoice and Israel be glad!”*

For though the wicked had flourished for a time, their end was destruction. But the Lord was the stronghold of the righteous, and He would not forsake those who sought Him.

And so, the words of the psalm were fulfilled: *”The fool says in his heart, ‘There is no God.’ But the Lord looks down from heaven, and His justice will prevail.”*