Posts by Josh Moody

Ezra 10, Proverbs 8, Luke 15:11-32, 1 Timothy 5:16-25     Proverbs 8:   Occasionally, people give the impression that wisdom is something only attainable to a select few. It is hidden. You cannot see it. You cannot find it. Wisdom can be said to be something esoteric, or belonging only to the clever, or the highly privileged.   But…

Ezra 9, Proverbs 7, Luke 15:1-10, 1 Timothy 5:1-15    Proverbs 7:   A great struggle for many people is maintaining fidelity to biblical norms regarding sexuality. How is this to be achieved? Many people assume that such fidelity to biblical norms is for all practical purposes impossible. But should we conclude this, we who have the Spirit of God…

Ezra 8, Proverbs 6, Luke 14:25-35, 1 Timothy 4   Proverbs 6:   This chapter is filled with wise advice. We cannot parse out every aspect of it in this devotion. I will pick out the core themes of the thoughts which are particularly central.   Verses 1-5 urge us to extract ourselves from a deal which leaves us stuck…

Ezra 7, Proverbs 5, Luke 14:15-24, 1 Timothy 3:11-18   Proverbs 5:   Perhaps one of the most important chapters in the Bible today. We are told today—subtly, implicitly, overtly, and explicitly—that sexual liaisons, of various and many kinds, without the boundaries of a committed life-long marriage of a man to a woman, is healthy and beneficial. Adultery, fornication, sexuality…

Ezra 6, Proverbs 4, Luke 14:1-14, 1 Timothy 3:1-10   Proverbs 4:   Once again, this chapter of Proverbs urges the reader to listen to the Word. There is no doubt that in normal circumstances, in normal situations, your own father will give you wise advice to which it is wise to listen. He wants what is best for you,…

Ezra 4-5, Proverbs 3, Luke 13:22-35, 1 Timothy 2   Proverbs 3:   This chapter begins with an exhortation to not forget the teaching of God’s Word. They will “bring you peace and prosperity” (3:1). The question that immediately follows that proposition is naturally, “Why should I not forget?” or “What particular benefit does holding onto God’s Word give?”  …

Ezra 3, Proverbs 2, Luke 13:10-21, 1 Timothy 1:12-21   Proverbs 2:   How do we find this most precious of all characteristics, wisdom? This chapter tells us that it starts with the area of desire in our own lives. “My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and…

Ezra 1-2, Proverbs 1, Luke 13:1-9, 1 Timothy 1:1-11   Proverbs 1:   As we start this Book of Proverbs, it is worth asking what the purpose of this book is. Providentially, and by divine intention and inspiration, the book answers that problem for us from the very beginning. This book is not simply a collection of random best-thought-for-the-day sayings. It is…