APRIL 2013 ttthhh AAnnnniivveerrssaarryy 11998888 22001133 I instruct you in the way of wisdom and lead you along straight paths. Proverbs 4:11 Wisdom from the Book of Proverbs At re|Focus, your pastor will • Hear inspiring messages from respected ministry leaders • Worship and enjoy fellowship with more than 1,000 servants of Christ • Spend rejuvenating time in God’s Word • Enjoy visiting Chicago’s tourist attractions in the springtime Conference Speakers Voddie Baucham Alistair Begg Henry Cloud Pastor of Preaching Senior Minister Leadership Consultant, Grace Family Parkside Church Psychologist, and Author Baptist Church Cleveland, OH Los Angeles, CA Spring, TX Michael Easley Daniel Henderson Abe Kuruvilla Lead Pastor President Associate Professor Fellowship Bible Church Strategic Renewal Dallas Theological Brentwood, TN Forest, VA Seminary Dallas, TX May 20–23, 2013 Show appreciation for your pastor by sending him to the re|Focus Pastors’ Conference at Moody Bible Institute. Held for more than 30 years, this premiere pastors’ conference will refresh and renew your pastor’s vigor for ministry through encouraging teaching from God’s Word, fellowship with other pastors, and time for spiritual reflection. Tommy Nelson Paul Nyquist Ray Pritchard Pastor President President Denton Bible Church Moody Bible Institute Keep Believing Ministries Register your pastor today! Denton, TX Chicago, IL Elmhurst, IL Visit www.pastorsconference.com or call 888-824-8246. At re|Focus, your pastor will • Hear inspiring messages from respected ministry leaders • Worship and enjoy fellowship with more than 1,000 servants of Christ • Spend rejuvenating time in God’s Word • Enjoy visiting Chicago’s tourist attractions in the springtime Conference Speakers Voddie Baucham Alistair Begg Henry Cloud Pastor of Preaching Senior Minister Leadership Consultant, Grace Family Parkside Church Psychologist, and Author Baptist Church Cleveland, OH Los Angeles, CA Spring, TX Michael Easley Daniel Henderson Abe Kuruvilla Lead Pastor President Associate Professor Fellowship Bible Church Strategic Renewal Dallas Theological Brentwood, TN Forest, VA Seminary Dallas, TX May 20–23, 2013 Show appreciation for your pastor by sending him to the re|Focus Pastors’ Conference at Moody Bible Institute. Held for more than 30 years, this premiere pastors’ conference will refresh and renew your pastor’s vigor for ministry through encouraging teaching from God’s Word, fellowship with other pastors, and time for spiritual reflection. Tommy Nelson Paul Nyquist Ray Pritchard Pastor President President Denton Bible Church Moody Bible Institute Keep Believing Ministries Register your pastor today! Denton, TX Chicago, IL Elmhurst, IL Visit www.pastorsconference.com or call 888-824-8246. TODAY WITH PAUL NYQUIST President of Moody Bible Institute True Wisdom When Solomon decrees and commands I have given you succeeded his father and go off to serve other gods and worship David as king of them, then I will uproot Israel from my land, Israel, the Lord came which I have given them” (2 Chron. 7:19–20). to him in a dream and said, “Ask for God blessed Solomon with every whatever you want treasure under the sun, but near the me to give you” (1 end of Solomon’s reign, he began to Kings 3:5). The God want more. Despite God’s warning, of the universe was inviting this 20-year- Solomon—the wisest king in the world— old king to ask for whatever he wished! made a foolish decision that had grave consequences. He wanted that which Solomon responded to the Lord, “Give God had forbidden. me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people” (2 Chron. 1:10). You see, the Lord had warned the Israelites Solomon could have asked for wealth, against marrying foreign wives to protect health, or power. Instead, he asked only them from being influenced by idol worship for wisdom. The Lord was so pleased (Deut. 7:3–4). Solomon ignored this warning. with Solomon’s answer that He granted He had a weakness for foreign women, Solomon’s request and also promised and because of their influence in his life, he him riches, possessions, and honor. In the began worshipping their gods. “As Solomon years that followed, Solomon’s wisdom grew old, his wives turned his heart after was made known throughout the world. other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God” (1 Kings 11:4). In addition to Solomon’s wisdom, he was also known throughout the world for his It is hard to believe that the wisest man wealth. In just one year, his merchants and in the world would make such a foolish explorers amassed 25 tons of gold. His ivory decision to ignore the Lord’s warning and throne was overlaid with gold, and even disobey His command. But aren’t we all his drinking glasses were made of gold. sometimes guilty of picking and choosing Scripture records, “King Solomon was which of God’s commands we want to greater in riches and wisdom than all the follow—regardless of the consequences? other kings of the earth. All the kings of Like Solomon, we know God’s commands the earth sought audience with Solomon but often choose not to obey. Even the wisest to hear the wisdom God had put in his among us desperately need God’s grace. I heart” (2 Chron. 9:22-23). pray that Solomon’s downfall will remind us that true wisdom is not just knowing all of But God’s gifts of wisdom, riches, and honor God’s truth, but obeying all of God’s truth. were given to Solomon along with this sober “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the warning: “If you turn away and forsake the Lord and shun evil” (Prov. 3:7). 1-800-356-6639 THEOLOGY MATTERS by John Koessler Wisdom and Common Grace Many theologians distinguish between two us from sin. The knowledge of God that categories of grace. One type is sometimes comes to us as a result of common grace called the grace of Christ or saving can be suppressed and distorted (Rom. grace. This form of grace is the special 1:21–32). The most this kind of wisdom possession of believers. They have been can do is to leave us without excuse made alive through Christ (Eph. 2:5). This (Rom. 1:20). sets them apart from those who have not experienced the grace of Christ. Believers Salvation from sin requires a special belong to God, purchased by the precious kind of wisdom. This special knowledge blood of Christ (Eph. 1:14; 1 Peter 1:18–19). is a fruit of repentance and comes from God Himself (2 Tim. 2:25). It is the The other form of grace is called general wisdom to understand “what God has or common grace. This grace, which is freely given to us” through Jesus Christ extended to the world at large, takes (1 Cor. 2:12). According to theologian many forms. One dimension is a general Abraham Kuyper, through common grace knowledge of God that stimulates our the Holy Spirit kindles and sustains the conscience and reminds us we are sinners. spark of natural life in all humanity. In God has revealed His eternal power and saving grace the Holy Spirit gives new divine nature plainly to all through all that life to the believer and kindles the spark He has made (Rom. 1:19). Common grace of eternal life. The wisdom of common has also given us a capacity to learn and grace endows us with natural abilities acquire skills. Whether I am a scientist, that enable us to live in the world. But the artisan, or a factory worker, I ultimately wisdom that comes as a result of saving owe my knowledge and skill to the grace grace provides us with new life from of God (Gen. 4:20–22; cf. Ex. 31:2–6). above that enables us to be holy and live for God. God’s gift of wisdom is reflected in both common and saving grace. The The wisdom of common grace wisdom that God has made available demonstrates God’s love for all He has to all humanity enables us to learn and created. The wisdom that results from function in society. This wisdom enlightens saving grace is His special love, bestowed the minds of those who diligently seek upon those who belong to Jesus Christ. for it. It gives skill to worker’s fingers and It is a wisdom He has promised to provides each person with a general give generously to all who ask for it in knowledge of God. But it cannot save genuine faith (James 1:5–6). For Further Study To learn more about common grace, read Wisdom & Wonder: Common Grace in Science and Art by Abraham Kuyper (Russell Media). www.todayintheword.com FROM THE EDITORS by Elena Mafter The Power of “Yes” On all sides the negative seems to and this resistance gave his negative surround us. We swim in the sea of “No.” constructions a “moral focus.” Nobody And we don’t like it. You don’t have to can deny a moral dimension of his teach a toddler to say this short word. striking quote: “If slavery is not wrong, He learns it immediately and repeats it nothing is wrong.” countless times a day—maybe because he hears it from his parents so very often. In Scripture, the negative shapes our No wonder, through the years our atti- sense of morality. Many books of the tude to “no” becomes . . . well, negative. Bible use negation as a rhetorical device: eight out of the Ten Commandments use But the negative has a tremendous power negative constructions. And of course, in our lives and in our language. Many the book of Proverbs—our study this writers tapped into the rhetorical use month—is full of “no’s,” “don’ts,” and of negation in their work. Statesmen “thou-shall-nots.” employed it in their speeches to empha- size their point. It’s enough to remember As we read the pages of Proverbs, let us Kennedy’s famous “Ask not . . . .” set aside a toddler mentality and see the positive in the negative. As Christians, we The release of Steven Spielberg’s lat- have the power and the ability to obey est film, Lincoln, triggered an increased the Word of God. With His Spirit in our interest in Abraham Lincoln and sparked hearts, the life of wisdom is possible for the publication of many books and us. As followers of Christ, we can say articles about him. Some of them men- “Yes!” to all the “don’ts” in the book of tion Lincoln’s use of negation to persuade Proverbs. In his letter to the Corinthian and to call to action. A recent article in church Paul wrote, “For no matter how the Wall Street Journal points out that many promises God has made, they are Lincoln’s “rhetorical efforts were in the ‘Yes’ in Christ. And so through him the service of resisting both the expansion of ‘Amen’ is spoken by us to the glory of slavery and the destruction of the Union,” God” (2 Cor. 1:20). Dear readers, we hope you have already said “Yes” to Christ in your life and have allowed Him to work in your heart. Our prayer is that in our study of the Bible this month, you’ll say “Amen” to all the things God will show you in the book of Proverbs. And all of us at Today in the Word want to thank you for saying “Yes” to supporting this ministry. 1-800-356-6639 Volume 26 Issue 4 ExECUTIvE EDITOR Paul B. Currie MANAGING EDITOR Heather Moffitt The Practical Wisdom of Proverbs ASSOCIATE EDITOR Elena Mafter CONTRIBUTING EDITORS He was the son of David and king of Israel. He John Koessler delighted in the word of God and lived a life Kim Pickett of knowledge and understanding. His name— WRITER Brad Baurain Solomon—became synonymous with wisdom. This 1-800-DL MOODY month in our study of the book of Proverbs, we’ll (356-6639) read the words of this wise man and we’ll learn www.moodyministries.net from him about a life in relationship with God. Solomon was, and still is, the wisest man who had ever walked on earth. We’ll always fail to reach his level if we rely just on our human strength. In this PRESIDENT J. Paul Nyquist month’s Scripture study, we’ll see that for Christians, PROvOST godly wisdom goes even deeper than the practical Junias venugopal advice and exhortations of Proverbs. We can reach ExECUTIvE vICE PRESIDENT all the treasures of godly wisdom as we follow the AND CHIEF OPERATING One who came after Solomon—the eternal King of OFFICER Steven Mogck Israel from the line of David, the Word of God: Jesus SENIOR vICE PRESIDENT Christ. By His Holy Spirit He gives us the ability to Greg R. Thornton obtain wisdom and to live a life of communion with CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER God. Ken Heulitt vICE PRESIDENTS Elizabeth Brown We hope you enjoy the study, and we pray that Larry Davidhizar through it, God would show you how to walk in Lloyd R. Dodson Jim Elliott wisdom in every season of your life. Your steadfast Christine Gorz John A. Jelinek support helps us send Today in the Word to Collin G. Lambert thousands of readers worldwide. It’s a joy to study Frank W. Leber Jr. Thomas A. Shaw the Word together, growing in knowledge and James Spencer understanding as part of a community of faith. TRUSTEE CHAIRMAN Jerry B. Jenkins Thank you! TRUSTEES Christopher Denison T. Randall Fairfax Thomas S. Fortson Moody Bible Institute is the sole publisher of Today in the Word, copyright J. Paul Nyquist Bervin C. Peterson © 2013 by Moody Bible Institute. All rights reserved. Please direct all Today David Schipper in the Word inquiries to Donor Resource Management, 820 N. LaSalle Blvd., Paul von Tobel Chicago, IL 60610. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Mark Wagner Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.TM Richard E. Warren Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Scripture taken from Richard Yook the New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by TRUSTEE EMERITUS permission. Printed in the U.S.A. Today in the Word is published monthly. Paul Johnson Printed on 30% recycled paper. www.todayintheword.com Read: Proverbs 1 Monday, April 1 Purpose of the Book: “For Attaining Wisdom and Discipline” The well-known “Prayer for His Son” by Wisdom literature has been defined as General Douglas MacArthur includes “truth applied to everyday life in practical these words: “Build me a son, O Lord, who ways.” As we study Proverbs this month, will be strong enough to know when he is we’ll do so in ways appropriate to the genre. weak, brave enough to face himself when For the most part this book is a collection he is afraid . . . Lead him, I pray, not in the of individual proverbs. Proverbs are brief path of ease and comfort, but under the sayings or aphorisms that can observe, stress and spur of difficul- compare, contrast, advise, ties and challenges. Let him instruct, invite, warn, evalu- learn to stand in the storm; The fear of ate, persuade, and poke let him learn compassion fun. They often make use of the Lord is the for those who fall.” figures of speech such as beginning of metaphors and similes, as knowledge. The opening chapters well as of literary devices of the book of Proverbs Proverbs 1:7 including imagery, personi- are framed as a parent’s fication, parallelism, sar- advice: “Listen, my son, to casm, and irony. your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching” (v. 8). While the In ancient Near Eastern literature, the purpose of the book is “for attaining term proverb includes our meaning but is wisdom and discipline” (vv. 2–4), and broader and can also indicate parable-like while this journey begins with “the fear imagery and brief narratives. An example of the Lord” (v. 7), it is equally important of this is found in verses 20 through 33 of to understand that the context in which today’s reading, in which personified Wis- wisdom is learned is relational, starting dom issues an invitation to embrace her with the parent-child relationship. along with a warning to shun foolishness. Apply the Word Pray with Us Solomon, the main author of Proverbs, was Ask God to encourage vice renowned for his God-given wisdom (1 Kings president and dean of the 4:29–34). It is important to remember that the Undergraduate School Larry Davidhizar. His service at proverbs he originated, while inspired Moody reaches many staff and Scripture, are proverbs and generally not students, and we ask God to commands or promises. The practical wisdom in encourage his heart and mind. Proverbs is even more valuable and trustworthy when founded in a fear of the Lord. 6 • Moody Bible Institute Read: Proverbs 2 Tuesday, April 2 Wisdom Enables a Righteous Walk In Words of Delight, Leland Ryken says and knowledge, so it makes sense that proverbs have “memorable conciseness.” fearing Him is absolutely necessary to Their brevity is “striking and attention- gaining wisdom. But what is “fear”? getting.” They capture “high points of human It’s not the emotion felt from thinking insight.” They are “more tightly packed” than about scary things, but rather worship— everyday speech; the “aim of such verbal con- proper respect, awe, and reverence for the centration is to make an insight permanent.” Lord who rules over all. Those who fear the Lord are people who These literary qualities are on believe and obey, who display in today’s reading, in act with integrity and The Lord gives which we learn three les- uprightness. wisdom; from sons about wisdom. The first his mouth come is that wisdom is worth dili- The third lesson is that gent searching (vv. 1–4). This knowledge and wisdom offers numer- doesn’t mean that wisdom is understanding. ous benefits (vv. 9–22). hidden or difficult to find, but Wisdom is associated Proverbs 2:6 that it is worth extended and with a certain kind of arduous effort to obtain. The pleasure or sweetness language is active and in- that comes from act- tense—we are to look for wisdom, search for ing responsibly and righteously. it, call out for it, cry aloud for it, turn our ear A wise person has an ability to under- toward it, accept it, store it up, and apply our stand situations and discern what to hearts to understanding it. do. In this sense, wisdom protects and saves us from foolish and sinful choices, The second lesson is that God gives specifically including moral perverse- wisdom to those who search for it ness (vv. 12–15) and sexual immorality (vv. 5–8). He is the source of all wisdom (vv. 16–19). Apply the Word Pray with Us A number of excellent commentaries are Larry Davidhizar oversees the available for supplementing your study of the Academic Dean’s Office on book of Proverbs. The Proverbs volume in Moody’s Chicago campus: Moody’s Everyman’s Bible Commentary series Claudia Beguin, Julie Henshaw, Linda Pankratz, and Paula (also available as a Kindle edition) is acces- Siebold. We thank God sible for most readers, and those looking for a for their dedication to good scholarly treatment might prefer Tremper Moody’s biblical mission Longman III’s Proverbs (Baker, 2006). and global vision. Today in the Word • 7 Read: Proverbs 3 Wednesday, April 3 Wisdom Is a Tree of Life Every culture and period of history has ty, wealth, and long life. Since these are a collection of proverbs. In American his- proverbs and not promises, we’re not tory, Benjamin Franklin is often regarded to take this as some form of prosperity as the quintessential proverb writer. His theology, but rather as general maxims. gems include “No gains without pains”; That is, generally speaking, acting in the “Beware of little expenses: a small leak ways described brings about positive re- will sink a great ship”; “He that falls in sults. The writer simply states the rewards love with himself will have or blessings in ways that no rivals”; and “What you people can relate to and would seem to be, be re- By wisdom understand. ally.” the Lord laid The chapter’s exhor- the earth’s The proverbs in today’s tations to pursue and foundations. reading extol the value practice wisdom are and benefits of wisdom. Proverbs 3:19 accompanied by praise Along the way we also get extolling its value (vv. a portrait of wise people 13–20). “Blessed is the and how they act in relation to God and man who finds wisdom” (v. 13) starts others. There is a repeating pattern of im- a kind of extended beatitude. Since perative verbs, which if done, yield a re- wisdom is a core dimension of God’s ward. We are to fear the Lord (v. 7), trust character and work (vv. 19–20), this Him completely (v. 5), keep His commands makes it a core dimension of our rela- (v. 3), and welcome His discipline (vv. 11– tionship with Him (v. 18). Thus, the most 12). In relation to others, we are to seek out significant blessing associated with opportunities to do good (v. 27), avoid evil wisdom is approval and blessing from the and violence (v. 31), and act with humility Lord (vv. 33–35). (v. 34). The rewards include health, safe- Apply the Word Pray with Us To guide our children in godly wisdom is a high Scott Pinnow in the Records calling and responsibility! Solomon received Management department on wisdom as a special gift, but we, too, can call Moody’s Chicago campus upon God’s wisdom (James 1:5). This wisdom is makes sure our students have all the necessary documents “first of all pure; then peace-loving, consider- before and after graduation. ate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, Please uphold his service in impartial and sincere” (James 3:17). prayer today. 8 • Moody Bible Institute