Posts by Josh Moody
Ecclesiastes 3:16-22: More About “Time”
Jeremiah 10-11, Ecclesiastes 3:16-22, John 1:43-51, James 2:14-26 Ecclesiastes 3:16-22: The Bible reading plan we are following in this devotional series breaks the readings at verse 15 (yesterday) and then from verse 16 (today). Really, however, this section is a continuation of the previous. Again the theme is time: “There will be a time for every activity, and…
Read MoreEcclesiastes 3:1-15: Time
Jeremiah 7-9, Ecclesiastes 3:1-15, John 1:35-42, James 2:1-13 Ecclesiastes 3:1-15: There is now a break from the “experiments” (see the introduction to Ecclesiastes on the first chapter). The “teacher” is going to take a moment to explore one of the strangest parts of human existence, and also its inevitable experience; namely: time. What is time for? Why is there time?…
Read MoreEcclesiastes 2:17-26: Work
Jeremiah 5-6, Ecclesiastes 2:17-26, John 1:29-34, James 1:9-27 Ecclesiastes 2:17-26: We come now then to the next “experiment.” Remember the “teacher” is seeking to find out whether it is really true that all of human experience “under the sun” (that is, without reference to eternity and God) is indeed truly meaningless. In order to discover this, he is…
Read MoreEcclesiastes 2:1-16: Pleasure and Wisdom
Jeremiah 3-4, Ecclesiastes 2:1-16, John 1:19-28, James 1:9-20 Ecclesiastes 2:1-16: We come now to the first of “experiments” conducted by the “teacher.” Remember that he is on a project of discovering whether it is really true that life “under the sun” is meaningless (and remember that the end of his project is in chapter 12 where he concludes…
Read MoreEcclesiastes 1: It’s All About God!
Jeremiah 1-2, Ecclesiastes 1, John 1:1-18, James 1:1-11 Ecclesiastes 1: Ecclesiastes is a book with a strange reputation. Depressing, they say. Discouraging, they say. Nonsense, I say! The key to understanding Ecclesiastes is the basic overall structure of the book. Throughout it, the “teacher” is making a single point over and over again. Life, he says, “under the…
Read MoreProverbs 31: Female Wisdom
Isaiah 65-66, Proverbs 31, Luke 24:45-53, Hebrews 13:9-25 Proverbs 31: Proverbs 31 is famous for what it says about the ideal wife and mother, but first it starts with “the sayings of King Lemuel”—but again these are sayings that were taught to him by his mother. This chapter gives us insight into the wisdom of a godly woman. “The…
Read MoreProverbs 30: Wisdom from Agur!
Isaiah 62-64, Proverbs 30, Luke 24:36-44, Hebrews 13:1-8 Proverbs 30: A whole chapter! Okay, here we go…Wisdom from Agur! “The sayings of Agur son of Jakeh—an inspired utterance. This man’s utterance to Ithiel: ‘I am weary, God, but I can prevail. Surely I am only a brute, not a man; I do not have human understanding. I have not learned wisdom, nor have I attained to the knowledge…
Read MoreProverbs 29:15-27: The Battle for Spiritual Wisdom!
Isaiah 59-61, Proverbs 29:15-27, Luke 24:28-35, Hebrews 12:14-39 Proverbs 29:15-27: “A rod and a reprimand impart wisdom, but a child left undisciplined disgraces its mother” (29:15). It is tempting as a parent to spoil your children: you want what is best for them, and therefore you like to give them what they like. But parenting, to be effective,…
Read MoreProverbs 29:1-14: Be Wise!
Isaiah 56-58, Proverbs 29:1-14, Luke 24:13-27, Hebrews 12:1-13 Proverbs 29:1-14: “Whoever remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed—without remedy” (29:1). This comes as a serious warning. When you are rebuked by a godly person, make sure you open both ears and take what they are saying seriously. If you are not sure whether what they are saying…
Read MoreProverbs 28:15-28: Get Wisdom!
Isaiah 54-55, Proverbs 28:15-28, Luke 24:1-12, Hebrews 11:32-40 Proverbs 28:15-28: “Like a roaring lion or a charging bear is a wicked ruler over a helpless people. A tyrannical ruler practices extortion, but one who hates ill-gotten gain will enjoy a long reign” (28:15-16). These two proverbs extol the virtue of godly and good leadership. It is important to…
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