Wisdom from the Book of Proverbs - Today in the Word

44 Pages·2013·10.88 MB·English

APRIL 2013
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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).
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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.
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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
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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