M O O D Y B I B L E I N S T I T U T E ‘ S

When I found T TOODDAAYY the one my heart IINN..THTHEE loves, I held him and would not let him go. Song of Songs 3:4 WOWOJUNE R2004RDD

Song of Songs: The Wisdom of Love To d ay WITH PRESIDENT STOWELL Passionate Love I am my beloved’s and his desire is for me. — song of solomon Do you know that you are desired? Do you What an astounding, amazing type feel completely and passionately loved? As of Love! believers, we often talk about the love of God, This month we will study the Song of but rarely do we see it as a deeply felt con- Solomon—a celebration of the love suming love. We reserve that type of love for between a groom and his bride. Song of romance. Instead, we tend to see God’s love as Solomon centers on the “beloved,” and the something safe and warm, reserved for the word is repeated more than 32 times in the calm confines of the church. book. As we study the text, we cannot help But, this spring, Mel but notice that this love between a man and Gibson’s acclaimed movie The a woman is also a striking representation of Passion of the Christ, broke deep love of Christ for us. through our safe view of Christ’s In the text, Solomon writes of the con- love. As our hearts were broken nection that exists between himself and his by the sight of our suffering bride. He extols her virtues and her beauty. Savior, the movie reminded us The woman celebrates their bond: “I belong again of just how much Jesus to my lover, and his desire is for me” loves us. (7:10). Why did God’s only Son suf- The intimate relationship between fer and die on the cross? He Solomon and his bride is an accurate por- took on the burden of our sins trayal of Christ’s love for us. Jesus loves us because He loves us. Intensely. completely as no one else has ever done. God’s love is not something we deserve. It is His love is not based on how we look or not a response to something we have done or act, or how we make Him feel. He loves us earned—it is a gift. The apostle John writes, despite who we are. Even better, He loves us “This is love, not that we loved God, but that completely and thoroughly because we are he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning His. This is a love worth cherishing. sacrifice for our sins” (1 John 4:10). As the hymnwriter so aptly expressed in In their book The Sacred Romance, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, it is in authors Brent Curtis and John Eldredge dis- viewing Christ’s sacrifice that we will realize cuss how God’s sacrificial passionate love res- at last the depth of His love for the church onates in our hearts at an intensely deep level. and for us. It is this unsurpassed love that How wonderful to be loved like that! They excites our deepest, most loyal response. write, “Someone has noticed, someone has “See, from his head, his hands, his feet / taken the initiative. There is nothing we need sorrow and love flow mingled down./ to do to keep it up, because his love for us is Did e’er such love and sorrow meet, / or not based on what we’ve done, but who we thorns compose so rich a crown. Were the are.” In his book The Problem of Pain, whole realm of nature mine, / that were an C. S. Lewis agrees: “It passes reason to offering far too small; / love so amazing, explain why any creatures, not to say so divine, / demands my soul, my life, creatures such as we, should have a value my all.” ■ so prodigious in their Creator’s eye.” by John Koessler ATTRIBUTES OF GOD Omniscience

Does God know what kind of day you had yesterday? Does He know what kind of day you are having today? More importantly, does He know what kind of day you will have tomorrow? The answer to these questions relates to the divine attribute of omniscience. To say that God is omniscient implies that He knows all that can be known: past, present, and future. In Isaiah 46:10 He declares, “I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say: My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.” God knows our thoughts before we think them, our words before we speak them, and our actions before we implement them (Ps. 139:1–4). He discerns the secret motives of our hearts (Ps. 139:23; Prov. 16:33). The biblical truth that God is omniscient would have been especially comforting during Isaiah’s day, as the northern kingdom of Israel was carried into captivity by the Assyrians, and the people of Judah were warned that they would suffer a similar fate at the hands of the Babylonians. Divine omniscience meant that God’s purpose for them, based upon His comprehensive knowledge of their future, would be fulfilled.

Why Theology Matters The fact that God knows all is amazing enough. But there is an even more amazing truth. The same God whose knowledge is so comprehensive that it encompasses past, present, and future, also knows you by name. Every minute detail of your life is clear to Him, even those things that are hidden from you. He hears when you pray, discerns the true motives behind the words, and knows just how to answer.

For Further Reading To learn more about God’s omniscience and other divine attributes, read Our Awesome God by John MacArthur (Good News). MBNEWS OF PEOPLE AND EVENTSI TAT MOODYoday BIBLE INSTITUTE JUNE 2004

Behind the Scenes at Proclaim! By Lisa Ann Cockrel

Margianne Alfonso argianne is a faithful listener to the MProclaim! radio program featuring works out with the teaching of MBI’s president Dr. Joseph Stowell and co-hosted by Wayne Joseph Stowell Shepherd. She recently wrote to let them know how much she enjoys their work. “I every morning . . . hear you at 5:30 am as I go to the gym. Because I don’t want to miss your messag- sort of. es, I am a regular attender at the gym. If it weren’t for your program I would be tempted to skip working out!” Margianne’s enthusiasm for Proclaim! is echoed across the world where the pro- gram is heard by thousands of listeners through 446 different broadcast outlets and

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June 1 Tuesday Read: Ephesians 5:22–33 TODAY IN THE WORD known as the Mishnah quote the King Edward VIII of second-century Jewish rabbi The wedding England shocked Aquiba as saying, “All the ages of the Lamb the world when he are not worth the day on which abdicated from the the Song of Songs was given to has come, and throne in order to marry the Israel; for all the Writings are divorced American socialite holy, but the Song of Songs is his bride has Wallis Warfield Simpson. Some the Holy of Holies.” years later he gave marital God’s people need not be made herself advice to a group of his close embarrassed by the portrayal of friends about how to stay on human love found in this book, ready. good terms with one’s spouse. for it points to a higher love that “Of course, I do have a slight can only come from God. Its Revelation 19:7 advantage over the rest of you,” description of the groom’s pas- he admitted. “It does help in a sion for his bride is a reflection pinch to be able to remind your of Christ’s deep love for the bride that you gave up a throne church. It is a love that will not for her.” be denied. It calls forth the best Believers also have a vivid in those who are loved. Christ’s reminder of what it cost Jesus love is stronger than our incon- Christ to make the church His stancy, doubts, and fears. His bride. He did not give up His love is stronger than death. throne forever, but He did lay aside the prerogatives of divinity and took upon Himself a human nature (Phil. 2:5–8). Being fully human and fully God, He sub- mitted to a brutal death on the TODAY ALONG THE WAY cross in order to purify the Do you know a cou- church and present it to Himself ple who reflect the as a spotless bride (Titus 2:14). biblical picture of a In many ways, this is also loving relationship? Today at Moody the drama played out in the bib- Ask them to tell you their story. lical book Song of Songs, also How did they meet? What was it Dr. Thomas Cornman, called the Song of Solomon. One like to fall in love? What kinds of Vice President and of the most mysterious and con- challenges have they had to Dean of Undergra- troversial books of the Bible, its overcome in order to keep their duate School, invites message has something to say love for one another strong? you to praise God for about both human marriage and As you listen, take note of the successful educa- the divine love God has for His any parallels to Christ’s love for tion ministry He has church. the church. Ask God to use this granted to MBI and to Its frank description of month’s study of the Song of pray that the coming the delights of human love has Solomon to give you greater school year would con- caused some people to wonder insight into Christ’s love for you. tinue to glorify Him. why it was included in the Bible. Pray that He will use it to rekin- However, the Jewish writings dle your own spiritual passion.

6 June 2 Read: Song of Solomon 1:1–4 Wednesday TODAY IN THE WORD on the cheek or friendly hug. For several years, She longs for an intimate sign of Come, Tedd would propose her lover’s affection. to Jane on every The bride also longs to Lord Jesus! Valentine’s Day. be in her lover’s presence. She Each time she would reply, invites the groom to take her Revelation 22:20 “Not yet.” Tedd finished college, away and bring her into his began his career, and still con- chambers. tinued to propose. And Janet Her plea reflects a com- continued to refuse. Finally, mon desire we all share. We Tedd reached the end of his may not all marry, but we all patience and determined that long for a love so powerful that this Valentine’s Day would be it will “sweep us off our feet.” the last. Janet would either Human love is important and a agree to marry him or he would wonderful gift from God, but in move on. As Tedd was about to the end it will still fail to meet propose for the last time, Janet our most secret longings. In the told him that she had a gift for end, our ultimate “yes” must be him. Curious, Ted unwrapped reserved for God. It is His love the package and looked inside alone that can satisfy our deep- to find a beautiful embroidery est desire. that Janet had made for him. It This beautiful book mir- had a single word on it: “Yes.” rors many of our own experi- The first few verses of the ences with human love, while Song of Solomon express the reflecting the kind of love rela- same sentiment. The book tionship that ought to exist opens with a description of the between Christ and His church. bride’s longing for her lover. As TODAY ALONG THE WAY she paints a portrait of the one TODAY ALONG THE WAY she loves, she also draws back Who are these two the veil on her own heart. lovers in this book The effect of her lover’s and why is their presence is intoxicating. His story recorded in Today at Moody love is compared to wine. His Scripture? Interpreters have Today, please join us in name is like perfume. Her open- been divided in their opinion praying for the staff of ing request is that the one she about whether this author (tradi- the Office of Academic loves will kiss her with “the tionally thought to be Solomon) Dean—Louise Addison, kisses of his mouth.” Although was describing his own experi- Larry Davidhizar, Paula it was not unusual for people to ence or writing allegorically Siebold, Billie Sue greet one another with a kiss in about God’s love for His people. Thompson, and Cheryl the ancient world, this was usu- As you meditate today on Washington—who ally only a formality, something God’s love for you, does the work together with Dr. like what is often called an “air bride’s desire also reflect the Cornman for the cause kiss” today. In the opening desire of your heart? Do you of Christian education verses of this book, however, long, more than anything else, at Moody. the bride asks for much more. for Christ to come and take you She does not want a mere peck away with Him?

7 June 3 Thursday Read: Song of Solomon 1:5–8 TODAY IN THE WORD Likewise, God uses suffering to In its July 1, 2003, enhance the beauty of Christ’s Consider it issue, Harper’s bride. Suffering, according to pure joy, Bazaar asked super- the apostle Paul, can teach us to model Iman what persist in our faith. Persisting in my brothers, aging meant to her. “Wisdom. faith and obedience produces Knowledge. And gravity! Christlike character within us whenever you Working against you!” she (Rom. 5:3–5). replied. “Since I wasn’t raised in This is why James 1:2 tells face trials of the West, I don’t have that deep- us that we should consider it rooted fear of getting old. But “pure joy” when we face trials. It many kinds. age is more accepted here is not because we enjoy trouble. today. Women over 35, 40, 50, 60 No one enjoys suffering, not James 1:2 are considered beautiful. It even Jesus (cf. Matt. 26:39). The wasn’t that way when I arrived. joy that James describes springs People were so worried about from our knowledge of what wrinkles, and I couldn’t under- such trials will produce. stand what this obsession with By God’s grace our diffi- age was.” cult experiences will be trans- Is age the enemy of beauty? formed into wisdom, knowl- The answer depends upon what edge, and spiritual gravity. They you understand beauty to be. will produce perseverance and Physical beauty, the writer of character. They comprise the Proverbs warns, is fleeting treatment God uses to enhance (Prov. 31:30). Lasting beauty is the spiritual beauty of the bride reflected in character and wis- of Christ. dom. It is a matter of the “inner self” (1 Peter 3:4). True beauty TODAY ALONG THE WAY is created when character and Think of a time life experience meet. To para- when God helped phrase Iman, it is the result of you to face a trial the combination of wisdom, with faith and obedi- Today at Moody knowledge, and gravity. Not the ence. How did the experience force of gravity that causes our change you? Can you think of Today, please include bodies to sag and our muscles any specific dimensions of “spiri- in your prayers to droop, but the gravity that tual beauty” that were added to Timothy Ostrander, comes from many years of your character as a result of as he assists Dr. applying faith to life’s challenges. your suffering? Stowell in many areas, We are like the bride in As you face other trials, as well as overseeing today’s reading, who has been remind yourself that they have Conference Ministries marked by the things she has been sent your way as part of and Church Ministries. suffered. Forced by her broth- Christ’s plan to “present her to . ers to work in their vineyard, himself as a radiant church, her skin was darkened by the without stain or wrinkle or any sun. Yet these experiences have other blemish, but holy and only contributed to her beauty. blameless” (Eph. 5:27).

8 June 4 Read: Song of Solomon 1:9–14 Friday TODAY IN THE WORD reading expresses his apprecia- Actress Elizabeth tion for the bride’s efforts to The unfading Taylor is known for beautify herself. In particular, her love of diamond he mentions earrings of gold beauty of a jewelry. On one studded with silver and a neck- occasion she was attending a lace of fine jewelry. In her gentle and social event where one of the response, the bride adds per- guests pointed out the large fume to the list of items. quiet spirit . . . diamond she was wearing. But Scripture makes it “That’s a bit vulgar,” the woman clear that this kind of beauty has is of great remarked. Taylor offered to let limits. Beauty that is based pri- the woman try the ring on. As marily on external appearances worth in God’s the woman gazed at the dia- can be misleading. “Charm is sight. mond on her own finger, Taylor deceptive,” the author of commented, “There, it’s not so Proverbs warns, “and beauty 1 Peter 3:4 vulgar now, is it?” is fleeting; but a woman who Is it wrong for us to use fears the Lord is to be praised” cosmetics and jewelry to enhance (Prov. 31:30). Cosmetics and our appearance? Christians jewelry may add something to disagree on this point. Several our appearance for a time, but in New Testament passages warn the end they cannot provide believers not to make outward true beauty. Godly character is appearance the primary focus of the only source of unfading their beauty. In 1 Timothy 2:9–10, beauty. for example, the apostle Paul says that he wants women to “dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided TODAY ALONG THE WAY TODAY ALONG THE WAY hair or gold or pearls or expen- It is clear from sive clothes, but with good today’s passage that deeds, appropriate for women the bride has taken who profess to worship God.” time and effort to The apostle Peter makes beautify herself for her groom. Today at Moody a similar point, reminding his As the bride of Christ, As an integral part of readers that the primary source what steps do you need to take MBI’s Operations, our of their beauty does not lie in to “put on” those godly charac- Engineering Services expensive jewelry or fine cloth- teristics that our Lord finds staff—Alfredo Rios, ing, but in character. This was attractive in His people. Read Paul Siebold, Andrew how the holy women of the Ephesians 4:22–32 and Colos- Thorsen, and Teddy past made themselves beautiful sians 3:5–14. What does Paul’s Vinlasaca—ensure good (1 Peter 3:4–5). suggested “beauty regimen” for maintenance and proper The primary point in these the believer look like? What are function of all the sys- passages is positive rather than some practical ways you can tems of the Institute’s negative. We can see that it’s begin to practice it? Choose one infrastructure. Would appropriate to take steps to or two characteristics in particu- you pray for them enhance our physical appear- lar and ask God for an opportu- today? ance—the groom in today’s nity to work on them today.

9 June 5 Saturday Read: Song of Solomon 1:15–17 TODAY IN THE WORD another. The groom declares In his book The Five that the bride is “beautiful.” Then make Love Languages, The bride uses a masculine my joy com- Gary Chapman form of the same word when explains that every she declares that the groom is plete by being person uses a favorite “language” “handsome.” It is the same word when expressing love to another used in the Old Testament to like-minded, person. Some people may use characterize Joseph and David. physical touch, in the form of a After showering compli- having the hug or a kiss. Others communi- ments on one another, the cate love through action, by per- couple goes on to praise the same love. forming acts of service for oth- delights of the home and the ers. To some a gift is the best marriage bed that they share. Philippians 2:2 way to show love, while others The bed is “verdant,” or more simply prefer to spend time with literally “green,” a possible allu- someone they love. sion to the fact that the bed was In today’s passage the strewn with fresh rushes each bride and groom use words day. The Hebrew term for bed to express their love for one here (verse 16) is used in Amos another. The groom speaks first 6:4 to refer to an expensive bed and compliments the appear- inlaid with ivory. It seems clear ance of his bride. In particular, that the groom made an effort he singles out her eyes. The to create a romantic atmosphere point of comparing them to for his bride. doves is not entirely clear. Some have suggested that the compar- ison reflects an Egyptian custom of painting eyes in the shape TODAY ALONG THE WAY that resembled a bird. Others One of the keys believe it was the beauty of the to keeping the dove, or even the fact that doves romance kindled in are often found in pairs, that a relationship is to Today at Moody prompted the comparison. express love to one another. The Similarly, the bride compli- couple in today’s passage made Thank you for ments the groom’s appearance. an effort to express love to one mentioning Moody’s He is handsome and “charm- another verbally. The groom media ministry in ing.” This latter term could refer used an additional love language your prayers today. to his physical appearance or to by taking steps to create a Your prayer support his manner. The Hebrew word romantic atmosphere. advances the Institute’s is used elsewhere in the Old Is there someone who global impact through Testament to refer to both good- needs to hear you express your media: radio, publish- ness and charm. love? To which love language do ing, and video. The mutuality of their love they respond the most? Think of is reflected in the fact that both a concrete way to show them the groom and the bride use the love today in a way that they will same language to refer to one most appreciate.

10 June 6 Read: Song of Solomon 2:1–7 Sunday TODAY IN THE WORD however, sees her differently. The British mathe- Compared to her, all the other The husband matician Charles flowers are thorns. She is like a Babbage wrote to beautiful flower growing in the should fulfill Alfred Tennyson midst of a bramble patch. complaining that two lines from The bride responds by his marital his poem “The Vision of Sin” describing the groom with a were inaccurate. The lines went, comparison of her own. She duty to his “Every moment dies a man / imagines herself coming upon Every moment one is born.” an apple tree blooming in the wife, and Babbage argued that if this were midst of a wood. The fruit of the true, world population would wild apple tree was usually likewise the never change. Instead, he wrote, somewhat bitter, but her lover’s wife to her the lines ought to read: “Every fruit is sweet to the taste. He has moment dies a man / Every taken her to his “banquet hall.” husband. moment one and one-sixteenth According to the Jewish histo- is born.” rian Josephus, Solomon built a 1 Corinthians 7:3 Babbage missed the point, glorious feasting hall decorated though. He tried to analyze the with gold and expensive furni- poetic words of Tennyson in a ture. Some Arabic poetry way that missed their true describes a custom where peo- meaning. Poets throughout the ple would place a sign outside ages have used figurative lan- the home inviting guests to a guage to make a point. party. In this case, however, the The lovers in the Song of banner outside the banquet hall Solomon use poetic compari- announces not a party, but love. sons to express their love for one another. The bride com- TODAY ALONG THE WAY pares herself to two flowers. The TODAY ALONG THE WAY rose of Sharon was not a rose The expressions of like we usually know it but a love in today’s pas- wildflower much like a crocus. sage occur on sev- The crocus was a common sight eral levels. Both Today at Moody on the plain of Sharon, a region bride and groom use words to The work of Moody known for fertility (cf. Isa. 35:1–2). express how they feel. The Publishers’ Editorial In the same way, the lily of the groom also broadcasts his love team—Alice Childers, valley was not the white lily. The by placing a banner over the David DeWit, Carolyn Hebrew word referred to a vari- bride. They express love to each McDaniel, Pamela ety of flowers, including the blue other through private intimacy. Pugh, and James lotus, the water lily, or almost If you are married, what is Vincent—contributes to any brightly colored flower. the most effective way for you to the high quality and By employing such meta- express love to your spouse on wide range of Christian phors, the bride indicates that each of these levels today? If publishing at MBI. We she sees nothing unique about you are not married, you may appreciate their dedi- her own beauty. Like the wild- have family members or friends cated service and flowers in the field, she is just who need a word of appreciation uphold them in prayer. one among many. The groom, or a hug or pat on the back. today. 11

June 7 Monday Read: Song of Solomon 2:8–9 TODAY IN THE WORD does whatever he must to main- According to an old tain it. Let us saying, “Absence Like many exchanges not give up makes the heart described in the Song of Solo- grow fonder.” But mon, the scene in today’s pas- meeting another saying warns that sepa- sage has something to say to us ration can have the opposite on two levels. As an example of together. effect: “Out of sight, out of human love, it is a good reminder mind.” Which of these is true? It that love cannot be maintained Hebrews 10:25 often depends on the situation. without a measure of effort. In Sometimes being with those we particular, it provides a model love causes us to take them for of the kind of initiative the hus- granted. Once we are apart, we band should take in his love realize how much their pres- relationship with his spouse. ence means to us. On the other On a spiritual level, it hand, sometimes being sepa- paints a beautiful picture of rated may cause us to become God’s seeking love. He is the distracted with other things to God who is found by those who the point that we scarcely think did not seek Him (Rom. 10:20). of our loved one at all. He is the God who sent His Son In today’s verses from the to seek and to save the lost Song of Solomon, the bride (Luke 19:10). He is the God we waits with expectation for the love because He first loved us groom’s arrival. She hears and (1 John 4:19). sees the groom from afar. The groom comes seeking the bride with such intensity that the obstacles (the hills) seem like TODAY ALONG THE WAY nothing. The bride compares In a love relationship him to a gazelle or a young stag. we must take initia- Gazelles were known for their tive on two levels. grace and speed. The stag was We must take the Today at Moody famous for its ability to leap. The initiative to show others that we bride’s portrait depicts the groom love them, and we must respond Please include in your as one who is in eager pursuit. to the love that others show to prayer time the MBI However, this portrait also us. computer specialists reveals the potential for separa- Take some time today to team headed by Frank tion in the relationship. Despite examine your relationships. Leber, Vice President his eagerness, the groom can Can you identify those toward of Information only see the one he loves from a whom you must show the love Systems. We ask that distance. He gazes longingly of Christ? Should you express God would guide them upon her through the window yourself by deed, by word, or by in the service of the and the lattice. This portrays touch? Now think about how Institute’s depart- separation and desire. The you should respond to those ments. groom has exerted considerable who have shown love to you. Do effort to seek the one he loves. not leave them feeling as if they He initiates this relationship and are on the outside looking in.

14 June 8 Read: Song of Solomon 2:10–14 Tuesday TODAY IN THE WORD fact, the Hebrew phrase that is In “Morning Hymn,” translated “is past” literally I will come author Thomas Ken means “is over and gone.” It is issues an invitation as if the lover meant to imply back and to himself: “Awake, that it was high time for the two my soul, and with the sun/Thy of them to be together. take you to daily stage of duty run; Shake The groom also declares off dull sloth, and joyful rise/To that the time had come for flow- be with me. pay thy morning sacrifice. ers to appear, an event that Awake, lift up thyself, my heart, marked the arrival of spring and John 14:3 And with the angels bear thy occurred almost overnight. The part, Who all night long unwea- early blossoming of the fig tree ried sing/High praises to the provided another sign of eternal King.” spring’s arrival. The hymnwriter’s words However, the most compel- are a reminder that, when it ling reason offered by the comes to experiencing fellow- groom was simply the pleasure ship with God, complacency he found in hearing the sweet may be one of the greatest voice of his beloved. Likewise, obstacles we face. At times your heavenly Lover never tires we are reluctant to seek God of hearing your voice when you because we are too distracted address Him in prayer. by the cares of the day. At other times we are unwilling because it requires too much effort. During such moments we need more than a reminder of our duty. We also need a reminder of the joy that comes when we TODAY ALONG THE WAY experience intimacy with God. Thomas Ken writes: The bride in today’s pas- “Glory to Thee, who sage needed a similar reminder. safe hast kept, And The lover calls to the bride as hast refreshed me Today at Moody he gazes through the lattice and while I slept; Grant, Lord, when We’d like to thank God invites her to arise and come I from death shall wake, I may of today for the dedicated with him. Some commentators endless life partake. Lord, I my team in the Network suggest that the Hebrew words vows to Thee renew: Scatter my and Systems Support emphasize the significance of sins as morning dew; Guard my department: Paul the invitation for the bride. Like first springs of thought and will, Walker, Erik Widholm, the hymnwriter, the lover calls And with Thyself my spirit fill. and Henry Wollman. upon the bride to “shake off dull Direct, control, suggest this day, Their computer exper- sloth” and enjoy the delights of All I design, or do, or say; That tise adds an important spending time together with all my powers, with all their part to the big picture of him. might, In Thy sole glory may God’s work at Moody. The season alone is reason unite.” Why not write your own enough! Winter, the rainy sea- morning prayer and read it son in Palestine, has ended. In aloud to the Lord? Or simply read this hymn aloud. 15 June 9 Wednesday Read: Song of Solomon 2:15 TODAY IN THE WORD things that spoil the vine, that Although the hinder spiritual growth.” Watch your Hebrew word trans- Neglect is also a problem life and lated “foxes” in in human relationships. A little today’s reading can neglect can cause a once-thriv- doctrine also refer to the jackal, the refer- ing relationship to go into ence to its size suggests that the decline. They are often “little closely. small Fennec Fox is in view. foxes,” choices and actions that Grapes were one of their favorite seem insignificant at the time, 1 Timothy 4:16 foods and they were capable of but whose cumulative effect doing considerable damage to destroys the relationships we the vineyard. cherish most. They may take It is unclear who is speak- the form of allowing our jobs to ing in this verse. The fact that consume our attention so that the invitation in the previous we neglect those we love, or verses contains a loving chal- allowing a passing attraction to lenge for the bride to stir herself someone else to go unchecked. in response to the lover’s call Some people suggest that suggests that the groom is this metaphor of the vineyard speaking here. The Jewish refers to the bride herself. Targum, an oral translation of Sometimes the best way to tend the Hebrew Scriptures in to our relationships is to tend to Aramaic, interpreted the foxes ourselves. A vital relationship as an allusion to the Amalakites. with Christ and a proper order- Hebrew commentaries known ing of our priorities goes a long as Midrashim interpreted the way to keep the “foxes” at bay. foxes as a reference to other enemies of Israel, such as the TODAY ALONG THE WAY Assyrians, the Amorites, and Remember, a fox the Edomites. may seem cute and Christian interpreters have harmless when interpreted the foxes as a pic- viewed from a dis- Today at Moody ture of those things that hinder tance, but if left unchecked it the believer’s fellowship with will eventually destroy the vine- MBI’s Provost, Dr. Christ. H. A. Ironside com- yard. Can you identify the “little Charles Dyer, requests mented on this verse, “What are foxes” that cause problems in your prayers today for the little foxes that spoil the your spiritual life? What about in the training of young vine? I can tell you a good many. your friendships and family rela- people at MBI for the There are the little foxes of van- tionships? If you have trouble ministry in our chang- ity, of pride, of envy, of evil identifying them, ask someone ing world. May the speaking, of impurity (I think you trust for a candid opinion. Moody education con- this though is a wolf instead of a Talk together about a practical tinue to have the Word little fox). Then there are the strategy to help you to “catch” of God as its foundation foxes of carelessness, of neglect the foxes. You may also want to and the Holy Spirit its of the Bible, of neglect of prayer, agree to meet later for account- guide. of neglect of fellowship with the ability on following through with people of God. These are the your strategy.

16 June 10 Read: Song of Solomon 2:16–17 Thursday TODAY IN THE WORD Others see the lilies as an One of the most allegory. In one of his sermons I am the good beloved characters St. Bernard said that the lilies in J. R. R. Tolkien’s in verse 16 represent Christ’s shepherd; I trilogy The Lord of truth, meekness, and goodness. the Rings is Treebeard, an If this were the case, though, we know my ancient creature known as an would expect the bride to be the Ent, a shepherd of the trees. one browsing among the lilies. sheep and Treebeard tells how in their It is more likely that the wandering the Ents forgot phrase is simply the bride’s my sheep where the Entwives had settled. poetic way of describing the “The Ents,” Tolkien writes, groom’s manner. Unlike the know me. “gave their love to things they Ents, who forgot their wives, he John 10:14 met in the world, and Entwives is a tender shepherd who will gave their thought to other gently care for the one he loves. things.” Eventually the wander- Physical expressions of love ing Ents forgot where the have an important place in their Entwives lived. marriage relationship. Tolkien’s story may be Ultimately, their love is fantasy, but the problem he rooted in a deep commitment. describes is not. People who They enjoy the physical benefits once loved each other deeply of the marriage, but it does not can become so preoccupied define their relationship. Their with other things that they drift marriage is a covenant relation- apart. In time, like the Ents, ship. As the bride says, “My they forget how to find their way lover is mine and I am his.” back to a place of intimacy. The groom in the Song of TODAY ALONG THE WAY Solomon is also a shepherd who In his commentary “pastures his flock among the lil- on the Song of ies.” Commentators are divided Solomon entitled A in their opinion about this state- Song for Lovers, Today at Moody ment. It could be taken literally, S. Craig Glickman observes that describing the groom by his it is a mistake to think that we For the next several profession. On the surface this can only be happy in a relation- days we invite you to seems out of place with the indi- ship when our partner is “the pray for the faculty and cation given elsewhere in this best looking, most intelligent, staff of the Sacred book that the groom was actu- most sensitive person in the Music department, as ally King Solomon (cf. Song world. You don’t look at the they lead our students 3:11; 8:11–12). However, else- other person as a status symbol into the wonderful where Scripture characterizes who will raise your level of pres- world of music—for the Israel’s leaders as “shepherds” tige,” Glickman writes. “You glory of God. David (cf. Jer. 3:15). It has even been look at that one as your counter- Brackley, Edwin Childs, suggested that Solomon took part, the one who completes Gerald Edmonds, and time off from his royal responsi- you, the one with whom you Ronald Denison are in bilities to spend time as a shep- can joyfully affirm your belong- our prayers today. herd in the Baal-hamon area. ingness.” 17 June 11 Friday Read: Song of Solomon 3:1–5 TODAY IN THE WORD soul are like her. They may Mother Teresa’s spend many hours searching How long, work with the poor for God. This seems to be God’s O Lord? in Calcutta was purpose for such trials. They are widely publicized not meant to be a punishment Will you during her lifetime. Few, how- but a blessing, intended to ever, knew that she struggled create spiritual hunger. God forget me for many years with spiritual uses them to renew our longing doubt. Nearly a decade after the for spiritual intimacy with Him forever? vivid spiritual experience that (Isa. 26:9). convinced Mother Teresa that It is important to remem- Psalm 13:1 God had called her to establish ber that although we may some- an organization to work with the times feel as if God has deserted poor, she recorded the following us, He never removes His love. words in her journal: “I feel that He has promised that He will God does not want me, that God never leave or forsake us is not God, and that God does (Ps. 94:14). Christ has promised not exist.” to be with us always, until the Sometimes referred to as very end of the age (Matt. 28:20). the “dark night of the soul,” The reality of Christ’s presence such experiences are common in our lives does not depend among believers. The Puritan upon our experience—but upon writer Samuel Rutherford used His faithfulness. the term desertions to describe these feelings, saying of them, “I think they are like a lean and weak land lying fallow for some years, until it gathers sap for a TODAY ALONG THE WAY better crop.” When we experi- The psalmist also spoke of ence a dark night of a similar experience when he the soul, it is tempt- asked in Psalm 13:1, “How long ing to search for a Today at Moody will you hide your face from way to jump start our spiritual me?” The answer to the psalmist’s experience to regain a sense of Continue in prayer question is that although God God’s presence. The best strat- for the Sacred Music may seem absent for a time, He egy is simply to wait. Waiting faculty: David Gauger, will not “forget” forever. does not mean that we are inac- Julia Graddy, Susan Many commentators tive----we continue to serve God Clark Manns, and believe that the events in today’s and to practice the basic disci- Elizabeth Naegele. Ask reading are actually a dream plines of the Christian life. One the Lord to encourage sequence. Its imagery reflects lesson God teaches us during a and protect those of the bride’s longing to consum- time of spiritual desertion is the our students and fac- mate her love with the groom. importance of faithfulness. If ulty who are on the After searching through the city you feel deserted by God, follow road this summer with streets, she finally finds him and the advice of the psalmist: “Wait our music group tours. clings to him in love. Those who for the Lord and keep his way” go through the dark night of the (Ps. 37:34).

18 June 12 Read: Song of Solomon 3:6–11 Saturday TODAY IN THE WORD The appearance of the king In his essay entitled, and his retinue in today’s read- When Christ, “The Weight of ing is described in terms that Glory,” C. S. Lewis are best summarized with the who is your notes that the con- word glory. Those who accom- cept of glory is very prominent pany the king share in life, appears, in the New Testament and is his glory. What was true on an often associated with things like earthly level in this description then you also palms, crowns, white robes, will be true on spiritual level thrones, and splendor like the with those who accompany will appear sun and stars. “All this,” Lewis Christ when He returns. They observes, “makes no immediate will “appear with him in glory” with him appeal to me at all, and in that (Col. 3:4). in glory. respect I fancy that I am a typi- This promise of glory pro- cal modern.” vides the motivation for living a Colossians 3:4 Nearly a century before holy life. In Colossians 3:5 the Lewis wrote these words, Mark apostle Paul commands, “Put to Twain made a similar observa- death, therefore, whatever tion about the biblical imagery belongs to your earthly nature: of glory, when he wrote of harps sexual immorality, impurity, lust, and robes, “That sort of thing evil desires and greed, which is wouldn’t make a heaven—at idolatry.” least not a heaven that a sane man could stand a week and remain sane.” Twain, of course, was no theologian; in fact, it seems that he wasn’t a believer. Yet the TODAY ALONG THE WAY TODAY ALONG THE WAY problem he identifies is the The hope of glory same one that Lewis mentions. helps us to live a In this world of earthly glitter holy life. The knowl- and tangible reality, who can get edge that we will excited about what seems on one day return with Christ in Today at Moody the surface to be a promise of glory motivates us to say “no” to Please add these mem- some vague notion of glory? the powerful impulses of our bers of the Sacred What good is a crown in heaven earthly nature and “yes” to God. Music department to to someone who doesn’t wear a Read Colossians 3:1–17 your prayer list today: hat on earth? and make a list of all the areas Arnold Rawls, Gary According to Lewis, glory of life that are affected by the Rownd, Jeremiah is a matter of being “noticed” by believer’s “hope of glory.” How Selvey, and H. E. God, “Glory means good report does the hope described in Singley. What a remark- with God, acceptance by God, these verses provide a motiva- able opportunity they response, acknowledgement, tion for you? Are there specific have to minister to the and welcome into the heart of areas where you need to change? students and the public things. The door on which we Spend time in prayer asking through God’s gift of have been knocking all our lives God to display His power in that music! will open at last.” area of your life. 19 June 13 Sunday Read: Song of Solomon 4:1–5 TODAY IN THE WORD presence of beauty is also no In a Christianity guarantee of virtue. Scripture Charm is Today article enti- warns that a beautiful woman deceptive, tled, “Is Beauty the who lacks discretion is like a Beast?” author gold ring in a pig’s snout (Prov. and beauty Karen Lee-Thorf notes that 11:22). many Christians are uncomfort- Karen Lee-Thorf’s warning is fleeting. able with beauty and adornment is important. Physical beauty is because they believe such a gift from God worthy of cele- Proverbs 31:30 things lead to pride and division. bration. There is no spiritual vir- “I am sure many of the people tue in taking steps to detract I know who are doing that are from our appearance. We should motivated by humility,” she not reject physical beauty. But writes. “I, however, have found neither should we trust in it. that rejecting beauty can be as Instead, Scripture urges serious a sin as worshipping it.” us to take measures to cultivate It has been said that beauty on a deeper level. We are “beauty is only skin deep.” It to cultivate inner beauty, “the does, however, play an import- unfading beauty of a gentle and ant role in human love. In his quiet spirit, which is of great song the groom repeatedly worth in God’s sight” (1 Peter praises the physical beauty of 3:4). This kind of beauty never the beloved. Although the fades and is always in style. images he uses to describe her may seem strange, and perhaps even humorous, to us today, he praises the beauty of her eyes, face, form, and cascading hair. TODAY ALONG THE WAY The bride has taken steps TODAY ALONG THE WAY to adorn herself. The reference Some people prac- to her scarlet lips suggests she tice a daily “beauty used the Old Testament equiva- regimen” that Today at Moody lent of makeup. However, she includes diet, exer- does not put herself on display. cise, and steps to make their In conclusion, would Instead, she wears a veil, a sym- outward appearance more you pray for the Sacred bol of modesty in that day. attractive. The same can be true Music’s Terry Strandt, Physical beauty is a gift on a spiritual level. Angela Thomas, from God, but as we have seen, Think about your own Charles Thompson, it cannot compare with the spiritual habits. Can you identify Cynthia Uitermarkt, beauty of godly character. the concrete measures you take and Un-Young Whang? Physical beauty, the writer of on a regular basis to cultivate May their voices and Proverbs warns, is fleeting. It the kind of inner beauty that musical instruments cannot last, and it may be decep- Peter praises in 1 Peter 3:4? If carry the message of tive. The fact that one has an not, what steps do you need to God’s goodness, love, attractive physique does not take to begin such a regimen? and salvation—to necessarily mean that the per- What, specifically, will you do change lives! sonality is also attractive. The and when will you start?

20 June 14 Read: Song of Solomon 4:6–7 Monday TODAY IN THE WORD manded to “aim for perfection” A popular bumper in the way that they live (2 Cor. Christ loved sticker from a few 13:11). years ago read, What, then, are the disci- the church “Christians aren’t plines that lead to perfection? perfect, just forgiven.” Its point One of the most important is and gave is well taken. Those who know the discipline of studying God’s Christ share many of the same Word. The apostle Paul wrote himself up weaknesses and failings as that one of his chief aims in unbelievers. But this slogan is preaching God’s Word was to for her. not entirely accurate. “present everyone perfect in Ephesians 5:25 In today’s reading Solo- Christ” (Col. 1:28). The one mon summarizes his impression who studies the Bible will be of the bride by declaring that “thoroughly equipped” (kjv: there is no blemish in her. In “perfect”) for every good work human relationships, we can (2 Tim. 3:17). conclude this only by looking at Exercising control over another person through the one’s tongue is another disci- eyes of love. For Christ’s bride, pline of perfection. It has the however, perfection is both a added benefit of helping us to gift and responsibility. practice self-control over other When it comes to our areas of life (James 3:1). Sinless standing before God, there is a perfection is not possible this sense in which Christians are side of heaven. Thanks to already perfect. Those who Christ, however, it is the believ- know Jesus as Savior have been er’s ultimate destiny. reconciled to God through the death of Christ. God sees them TODAY ALONG THE WAY through the lens of Christ’s per- TODAY ALONG THE WAY fections. As a result, they will be Use a concordance presented to Him “without or Bible study soft- blemish and free from accusa- ware and do a tion” (Col. 1:21). According to search on the word Today at Moody the writer of Hebrews, “By one perfect. In what sense can per- Our Human Resources sacrifice he has made perfect fection be described as a goal in department, under forever those who are being the Christian life? When can we the leadership of Vice made holy” (Heb. 10:14). expect it to be a state of being? President Lloyd As far as the believer’s The fact that Christians are Dodson, plays an practice is concerned, there is not yet perfect in their behavior important role in bring- still room for improvement. The does not mean that they should ing new employees to apostle Paul’s goal in ministry not aim for it. Because of the Moody. We pray that the was to present believers to cross, the heavenly bride will Lord would guide their Christ as “a radiant church, one day have the joy of hearing efforts and the leader- without stain or wrinkle or any Christ say, “All beautiful you are, ship of Mr. Dodson. other blemish” (Eph. 5:27). my darling; there is no flaw in Similarly, Christians are com- you” (Song 4:7).

21 June 15 Tuesday Read: Song of Solomon 4:8–9 TODAY IN THE WORD themselves on behalf of those Many of the most they love. As scholar and author We should popular songs Miraslov Volf has observed, love one throughout history there is more to marital love have described the than eros: “It has to do with how another. thrills and frustrations of you treat each other when romance. Common themes dishes need to be washed or 1 John 3:11 include loving someone who garbage taken out, when misun- apparently loves someone else, derstandings arise and when feeling unsure of someone else’s one has transgressed against romantic feelings, and the roll- the other. Love is not the desire er-coaster ride of falling in and to be united with the other, but out of love. action on behalf of the other, What usually passes for and constancy in pursuit of his love in today’s world, however, or her well-being.” is often only self-gratification. Reckless passion may burn This kind of “love” is primarily a like a wildfire, white-hot at first matter of physical attraction. but dying out as quickly as it When the initial thrill of desire flared up. Love, on the other fades, so does the love of the hand, is an ember that burns one who experienced it. The slowly and steadily. It does not groom’s love for his bride was exist for its own sake but pro- markedly different. vides warmth for others. It did include physical attraction. The groom praised his bride’s beauty and said that she had stolen his heart with one glance of her eyes. But his TODAY ALONG THE WAY love was not selfish. Instead, it Author Rainer Maria was characterized by a desire Rilke has written for the bride’s well-being. He that “Love . . . con- pleaded with her to come away sists in this, that two Today at Moody from the lions’ dens and the solitudes protect and border and haunt of the leopards to a place salute each other.” Human love Today, as we continue of safety and intimacy. is never completely devoid of to pray for the Human An abiding concern for the self interest. However, the more Resources employees, other person and an atmosphere we can nurture, protect, and we ask that God’s of intimacy are the primary respect the other, the greater blessings would ingredients in a healthy love the likelihood that our own follow the lives of Kelli relationship. They are also inter- desires will be satisfied. Buczek, Jill Douglas, related. A genuine concern for Think of some concrete David Fogal, and Katie the other provides the kind of way to serve someone you love Isaak. We all value environment that in turn allows today. Perhaps it is by doing their dedicated service. those who love one another the one of the chores they hate to freedom to be intimate. do or by writing a brief note The rewards of biblical describing what you appreciate love come to those who give of about them.

22 June 16 Read: Song of Solomon 4:10–11 Wednesday TODAY IN THE WORD them, because they will surely While on an expedi- turn your hearts after their Why be tion to Palestine, gods.’ Nevertheless, Solomon Mark Twain met a held fast to them in love.” captivated, my young man named Scripture’s warning proved Charles Langdon from Elmira, true. Solomon’s affection for his son, by an New York. After the trip Twain seven hundred wives and three visited Langdon at his home and hundred concubines prompted adulteress? fell in love with his sister Livy. him to engage in false worship. When Langdon discovered this, “As Solomon grew old, his wives Proverbs 5:20 he suggested that Twain leave turned his heart after other immediately. Nobody was good gods, and his heart was not fully enough to marry his sister. As devoted to the Lord his God, as they were about to depart, how- the heart of David his father had ever, Twain was thrown from been” (1 Kings 11:4). the seat of the wagon into the Solomon should have street. Although he was only taken his own advice. In dazed by the accident, Twain Proverbs 4:23 he warned, made the most of the opportu- “Above all else, guard your nity. He remained with the heart, for it is the wellspring of Langdons for two more weeks life.” We too must be on guard. and eventually married Livy. Once our affections have been Love, too, can make a per- stirred, it is all too easy to let son feel dazed. It is possible to them overrule our convictions. be so overcome with love that the effect is like drunkenness. In our reading today, the groom says that the bride’s love is TODAY ALONG THE WAY TODAY ALONG THE WAY more pleasing than wine. Few people begin Elsewhere we read a description their marriage of the intoxicating effects of love believing that they (Prov. 5:19). This is a blessing, will eventually com- but it can also be a danger. mit adultery. But misplaced Today at Moody Like the effects of wine, this affections can impair our judg- Jean Jacobsen, Peter rush of passion can lead to ment. The path to infidelity is a Miller, and Serene impaired judgment. subtle one. It often begins with Velasco from Human Sadly, later in life Solomon chaste friendship accompanied Resources will appreci- became a victim of this. We read by a strong sense of attraction. ate your prayers today, in 1 Kings 11:1–2, Solomon As affections grow, the people as they oversee many “loved many foreign women involved grow more and more aspects of our work besides Pharaoh’s daughter— careless in their behavior. environment. And they Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Have you discussed a do a great job! Sidonians and Hittites. They strategy for protecting yourself were from nations about which from this painful path with your the Lord had told the Israelites, spouse or (if you are single) ‘You must not intermarry with with a pastor or close friend?

23 June 17 Thursday Read: Song of Solomon 4:12–16 TODAY IN THE WORD an understanding of its true Despite evidence value. The chaste person recog- Each of you that indicates they nizes the beauty of moral purity. should learn are effective, absti- Abstinence did not make the nence programs bride less attractive to Solomon, to control his continue to be a controversial it increased his longing for her. approach to sex education in Moral purity enhances one’s own body in many public schools. Most absti- enjoyment of sex. nence programs do not use the Recognizing that her hus- a way that Bible to convince young people band was the only one with not to have sex before marriage, rightful access to the delights is holy and but their strategy is based upon of her garden, the bride invited honorable. the old-fashioned biblical value the groom to “come into his gar- of chastity. den and taste its choice fruits” 1 Thessalonians 4:4 Usually supporters argue (v. 16). Such language indicates that they do a better job of pro- that chastity ultimately recog- tecting young people from nizes true ownership. Those unwanted pregnancies and who practice chastity realize sexually transmitted diseases. that their bodies are not their One program in Tennessee, own to do with as they please. for example, was credited with They belong to God first and helping the county drop its state foremost (1 Cor. 6:13). And ranking in teen pregnancies should God provide us with a from first to sixty-fourth, accom- spouse, then there is also a plished in three years. sense in which our bodies In today’s reading, we find belong to them (1 Cor. 7:4). another important benefit to chastity. It not only protects TODAY ALONG THE WAY from disease and unwanted Chastity is a relevant pregnancy, it also enhances issue for single and the beauty of sex in marriage. married alike. Both The groom praises the have an obligation to Today at Moody chaste character of his bride control their own bodies that by describing her as a “garden today’s verse describes as “in a Let’s continue to ask locked up,” a “spring enclosed” way that is holy and honorable” for God’s leading and and a “sealed fountain.” The (1 Thess. 4:4). For the single direction in the service practice of abstinence did not person this means abstaining of Edward Cannon, make her seem like a prude, from sexual activity until mar- Executive Vice but rather like a beautiful private riage. For the married person it President and Chief garden. Old Testament com- means keeping the gate to this Administrative Officer. mentator Franz Delitzsch notes, garden of secret delights locked Our prayer is that the “To a locked garden and spring to all but one’s spouse. Hebrews Lord would keep him no one has access but the right- 13:4 warns, “Marriage should focused and insightful ful owner, and a sealed fountain be honored by all, and the mar- in his ministry at MBI. is shut against all impurity.” riage bed kept pure, for God The practice of chastity is will judge the adulterer and all not rooted in a hatred of sex but the sexually immoral.”

24 June 18 Read: Song of Solomon 5:1 Friday TODAY IN THE WORD not portray sexual pleasures in While the church marriage as a necessary evil Enjoy life has always valued that must be suppressed or moral purity, at endured. Instead, the bride and with your some points in his- groom are encouraged to enjoy tory it has felt ambivalent about themselves until they are satis- wife, whom marriage. Sex in particular, even fied (v. 1). within the confines of marriage, Procreation is certainly you love. has been an uncomfortable sub- one of the obvious purposes of ject. As early as the second cen- sex within marriage. The first Ecclesiastes 9:9 tury, some Christian leaders command to the human race reacted against growing worldli- recorded in Scripture was the ness in the church by urging command to “be fruitful and believers to practice extreme increase in number” (Gen. 1:22). forms of asceticism. They even But as we see in the Song of urged married believers to Solomon, enjoying sex in mar- abstain from sex altogether—or riage is also important. at least not to enjoy it too much. The New Testament notes This point of view was that there are certain instances reflected in the “desert fathers” where it is good not to marry of the second century, who (1 Cor. 7:1). It also emphasizes chose to live a solitary and that marriage is the only appro- ascetic lifestyle. They told the priate context for sexual expres- married believers who came to sion. God has designed marriage them for spiritual counsel to live and sex for more than simply like celibate monks. Augustine propagating the human race. taught that sexual intercourse, even in marriage, should not be TODAY ALONG THE WAY TODAY ALONG THE WAY enjoyed for its own sake. He Every day we face a believed that it was only for the constant barrage of propagation of mankind. sexual images from This stands in sharp con- films, television pro- trast with today’s sex-obsessed grams, and magazines. Passion, Today at Moody culture. Wendy Shalit, in her however, is not the problem. The MBI campus is book entitled A Return to Society’s problem is not that it very quiet now—the Modesty, noted that sex on many enjoys sex too much. The prob- students are away on college campuses today is so lem is that our culture has vacation. And today frequent and impersonal that removed the boundaries God we’d like to invite you the two partners may as well be set in place for sexual expres- to uphold them in “two airplanes refueling.” sion. His rules are not intended prayer—wherever they Both views—the aversion to spoil our fun, but to protect us are—for a good rest, of some in the early church to from the consequences of unbri- spiritual refreshment, sex within the confines of mar- dled passion. Those who choose and growth in commit- riage, and modern society’s to quench the fires of passion by ment to God and His casual approach to sex—are having sex outside the confines Word. equally unhealthy and unbibli- of the marriage relationship are cal. The Song of Solomon does destined to get burned.

25 June 19 Saturday Read: Song of Solomon 5:2–3 TODAY IN THE WORD to divine love. “We have an idea Not long after they that the beloved one should be Yet I hold this were married, ready whenever we are for a against you: Queen Victoria and time of gladness together, but it Prince Albert had an is not always so,” he explains. You have for- argument. Afterwards the “And so when He comes to the prince left the room in anger, heart’s door we practically say, saken your went to his private quarters, and ‘No; it is inconvenient. I do not locked the door. Victoria fol- want to drop things right now.’ ” first love. lowed him and knocked loudly Unlike Queen Victoria’s at the door demanding that he initial knocks at the door, Jesus Revelation 2:4 let her in. “Who’s there?” Albert does not come with a thunder- answered, knowing full well that ing voice and demand entrance. it was his wife. “The queen of Instead, we often experience His England, and she demands to invitations to fellowship as a be admitted.” This went on for subtle desire to spend time with some time. Each time Albert Him in prayer and the study of refused to admit her. At last, God’s Word. Like Solomon’s Victoria gave the door a soft tap. bride, we may even be awak- “Who’s there?” the prince asked ened in the middle of the night again. The queen gently replied, with a sense that we should get “Your wife, Albert.” The prince up and fellowship with Him. opened the door and let her in. These opportunities are easy to The phrase “the honey- ignore—but we miss them at moon is over” alludes to the fact our own loss. that people who have been married awhile sometimes act differently from those who are TODAY ALONG THE WAY recently married. The same can One of the ancient be true in the spiritual realm. spiritual disciplines Those who begin the Christian of the church is a life with great zeal can grow practice known as a Today at Moody cold. In our verse for today, “vigil.” A vigil is a time of prayer, we see Jesus’ criticism of the worship or fasting, often during Dr. Richard Epps, church of Ephesus because they the night. Vice President of had forsaken their first love. Consider choosing a day to Stewardship, leads In today’s reading the rise several hours earlier than the ministry to our groom comes seeking the bride usual to spend time with the donors. In his words, at what seems to be an inoppor- Lord. Instead of praying “Stewardship at Moody tune time. Her initial response is through your usual requests, is a two-way street.” He one of reluctance. When she spend the time expressing your expresses appreciation finally does open the door, she appreciation to God for His vari- in prayer to the Moody discovers that the moment has ous attributes. For some of friends for the out- passed. Her lover has departed. these attributes, you can refer standing “journey” According to noted Bible to the “Theology Matters” col- along that street. teacher H. A. Ironside, this is a umns throughout the 2004 good picture of our insensitivity issues of Today in the Word.

26 June 20 Read: Song of Solomon 5:4–7 Sunday TODAY IN THE WORD Our verse for today cap- “God will not accept tures this. The psalmist is thank- It was good a divided heart,” ful for his affliction, but this D. L. Moody once doesn’t mean that he enjoyed for me to be observed. “He must suffering. Rather, he learned to be absolute monarch. There is rejoice in the lessons he learned afflicted so not room in your heart for two as a result of his suffering. thrones.” Because of this, God Those who know Christ that I might sometimes leads us through dif- as Savior also benefit from afflic- ficulties that test our motives tion. The apostle Paul wrote that learn your and enable us to develop an we rejoice in suffering, not for undivided heart. its own sake, but because of decrees. This also happened to the what it produces in our lives Psalm 119:71 bride in Song of Solomon. After (Rom. 5:3). God uses suffering her initial reluctance, she finally to teach us to persevere and to responded to her lover’s over- reveal our true character. If we tures. The delay was costly. are devoted to Christ, we will Once her interest was aroused not turn back because of hard and she opened the door to times. Instead, we will seek him, he could not be found. His Him all the more. We will not absence sparked her desire and be discouraged by obstacles or motivated her to seek him with deterred by opposition we face. renewed passion. We will pursue the lover of our The search, however, was souls no matter who or what not an easy one. She did not find stands in our path. him immediately, and during her travels she encountered the city watchmen. They badly TODAY ALONG THE WAY TODAY ALONG THE WAY mistreated her and stole her Think of a time cloak, which some scholars when hardship or suggest was a wedding gift from disappointment her groom. prompted you to The bride’s experience is renew your determination to Today at Moody analogous to what happens to seek Christ. How did God use it On today’s Father’s Day, human relationships and our to sift through your motives and as we honor our fathers, relationship with God. In mar- give you singleness of heart? let’s look once again at riage, neglect inevitably leads to Would you say that you feel the the Father’s love of God a loss of intimacy. If we look for same degree of devotion to Him and praise Him for His help from the wrong source, we today? If so, give thanks to God. love, mercy, and grace. may end up bruised by the If not, give some thought to the What a joy it is to be a experience. Likewise, God steps you might need to take to child of God and to sometimes uses the bumps and seek Him with a more fully come to Him with Jesus’ bruises of life to show that only devoted heart. When you are words, “Our Father in He can provide ultimate com- finished, write a love letter to heaven.” fort. The sufferings we experi- Jesus telling Him of your fresh ence drive us closer to Him. resolve to follow after Him.

27 June 21 Monday Read: Song of Solomon 5:8–16 TODAY IN THE WORD was overwhelmed when she According to a story saw the one she loved in his At that time in the Christian splendor, we too will be over- men will see Reader by Ida come when we see Christ in His Pardue, shortly glory (Rev. 1:13–17). the Son of before four-year-old Kathie was Those who have placed to serve as a flower girl in a wed- their faith in Christ do not need Man coming ding, her mother told her: “The to fear that day. They will appear next time you see Kim, she’ll be with Him in glory (Col. 3:4). in clouds with radiant.” During the wedding, Those who have not trusted in Kathie watched the bride with Christ will also be overwhelmed great power a growing sense of disappoint- by His glory, but with a different and glory. ment. When she couldn’t con- result. They will call on the tain herself any longer, the little rocks and mountains to fall on Mark 13:26 girl went up to the bride, pulled them and hide them from the at her gown to get her attention, wrath of Christ but to no avail and demanded, “Kim, when are (Rev. 6:16). Only those who you going to glow?” have experienced God’s grace One of the highlights of will be able to endure the radi- any wedding is the moment ance of Christ’s glory. when the bride first appears. The music swells, the congrega- tion rises, and the groom looks down the aisle to see the one he loves dressed in a “radiant” gown. In today’s passage, it is the groom who is described as TODAY ALONG THE WAY “radiant,” a Hebrew word that TODAY ALONGWhat isTHE the mostWAY literally means “dazzling.” Like beautiful sight you David his father, Solomon is also have ever wit- characterized as “ruddy.” This nessed? Perhaps it was a mark of physical attrac- was a beautiful sunset or water- Today at Moody tiveness in Solomon’s day (cf. 1 fall that you saw while on vaca- Sam. 16:12). The bride admires Chief Financial tion. It may have been the look Solomon’s dark hair and beauti- Officer and Treasurer, on someone’s face when they ful eyes, commenting on her Richard Campbell, pro- opened a special gift from you. beloved’s physical features from vides overall direction Or it may have been the head to toe. to MBI’s financial man- moment when your spouse first Some commentators have agement. Please join came into view on the day of interpreted this image of Christ him in thanking God your wedding. in her description. But we for creating unique Spend some time recalling shouldn’t think of this as a pic- financial partnerships the experience. Now consider ture of His physical appearance, with our donors over that, if you are a Christian, the or we’ll miss the powerful imag- the years and blessing thrill you felt at that moment will ery of Christ as our the ministries of be compounded beyond imagi- Bridegroom. Just as the bride Moody. nation when you see Christ.

28 June 22 Read: Song of Solomon 6:1–3 Tuesday TODAY IN THE WORD Dr. Henry Brandt Three important facts lay You will seek has written that the groundwork for this couple’s mature love “enjoys restored relationship. First, she me and find being together more knows her husband well enough than being with anyone else, to know where to look. Solo- me when you although others are not excluded mon, in turn, knew his bride from their lives. They discover well enough not to try to force seek me with that each can even have a good intimacy until she was ready. time doing something together Second, both continue to be all your heart. which neither would enjoy committed to the relationship. Jeremiah 29:13 doing alone.” What Brandt is Third, as soon as both are ready, really saying, in essence, is that they take time together to someone who is in love enjoys restore their relationship. showing interest in what inter- This principle is true in the ests the one he or she loves. marriage relationship. One way Although the groom has to keep the romance alive is departed as a result of her delay, often to know what interests the the bride is able to find him one you love. because she knows his inter- It is also an important prin- ests. He is “browsing among the ciple for the believer’s love rela- lilies.” The question in verse 1 tionship with Christ. The best is asked by the daughters of way to cultivate a sense of His Jerusalem. They serve a func- presence is to cultivate an inter- tion in this poem similar to the est in what interests Him. chorus in a Greek drama. Their statements move the story along and prompt revealing TODAY ALONG THE WAY statements from the main char- TODAY ALONG THE WAY acters. Think of someone Some Bible scholars inter- you love. How pret the bride’s statement sym- quickly can you bolically. The image of the gar- come up with a “top Today at Moody den was used earlier to refer to ten” list of the things that inter- Our Customer Service the bride herself. It is also possi- est that person? If ten things Center receives thou- ble to take the bride’s words seem like too many, try making sands of phone calls, literally. After finding his bride a list of the top three or four. and today and tomor- unwilling to receive him, Solo- You might also want to rank row we’d like to pray for mon has gone down to his favor- them in order of importance. those whose voices you ite garden. Knowing what he After you have compiled hear when you call loves is the key to finding him. your list, why not test the results 1-800-DL MOODY: Showing an interest in what by asking that person how accu- Lornel Curey, Caleb interests him provides a kind of rate it is? Make plans together Evans, Janet Giesler, common ground that will enable to share one of the interests you and Marina Ramos. them to re-establish intimacy have identified. with one another.

29 June 23 Wednesday Read: Song of Solomon 6:4–7 TODAY IN THE WORD 931 b.c. and that the author An old cliché notes uses Solomon as the example of Worship the that beauty is in the the loving groom. Lord in the eye of the beholder. The groom is so over- Although this may whelmed by the bride that he splendor of be true, not many people think cannot look into her eyes. This of themselves as attractive. Such description of the bride is strik- his holiness. feelings are often the result of ing in view of her perception of unrealistic expectations. Few of herself. She did not initially see 1 Chronicles 16:29 us, either men or women, com- herself as lovely (Song 1:6). In a pare with the air-brushed sense, the love of her husband images we see on television pro- has transformed her. grams and magazine covers. This is true of Christ and Strange as it may seem, His heavenly bride. When He even many professional models looks at us, He sees us through are unhappy with their personal the eyes of His transforming appearance. They recognize grace. He not only sees us as that the image the public sees beautiful, but He also has the is not realistic. It is the result power to make us beautiful. of many hours of preparation, As a result of His work we can occasional tricks of photogra- worship God in the beauty of phy, and sometimes even cos- His holiness. metic surgery. In today’s reading the groom describes the bride as “beautiful.” He focuses on the beauty of her face. He praises the beauty of her eyes, hair, and TODAY ALONG THE WAY smile. The fact that he compares How does Christ the bride to an army in battle view the church? array may seem strange. It is a One way to answer fitting image when placed on the this question is to Today at Moody lips of a king. In effect, it is the study the descriptive terms Paul groom’s way of saying that his used in his letters to the church Praying for our bride is irresistible. in the New Testament. Customer Service He also compares the In 1 Corinthians 1:2, the Representatives, please bride to the two great cities. church is described as “sancti- bring before the Lord Tirzah, the first to be men- fied” and “called to be holy.” In Daniel Spurrier, Adam tioned, served as the capital of Ephesians 1:1 the believers are Reece, Julie Reeser, the northern kingdom of Israel called “the faithful in Christ and Erin Reynolds. for a time. Jerusalem was the Jesus.” For further study, we Would you pray for capital of Judah. The mention of suggest you read the first few positive attitude, focus, these two cities has led some verses of each of the New Testa- attention to detail— scholars to conclude that this ment epistles and write down something they con- song must have been composed the characteristics of the church stantly need at their after the kingdom divided in that you find listed there. workplace?

30 June 24 Read: Song of Solomon 6:8–10 Thursday TODAY IN THE WORD text literally says that she is During a trip to “one.” Solomon also calls her I have no one Algiers, the British “my perfect one.” The Hebrew statesman Lord term conveys something pure else like him. Frederick North and chosen. She is like a beauti- asked his host if he might be ful gem that is both rare and Philippians 2:20 permitted to see one of the flawless. Today we might para- women of his harem. Instead of phrase the comparison by say- being offended by the request, ing that she is “one in a million.” the host took one look at Lord Others share Solomon’s North and told the keeper of the opinion. Not surprisingly, she is harem, “He is so ugly, let him her mother’s favorite. The maid- see them all!” ens, perhaps a reference to the In today’s passage the other women of the harem or groom compares his bride to to other ladies of the court, call the women of a harem. It was her “blessed.” They may be the not unusual in Solomon’s day ones who ask the question in for kings to have harems of verse 10. Even though we may many wives and concubines. not know exactly who speaks Political reasons motivated this question, it underscores the many multiple marriages. matchless beauty of the bride. Concubines, on the other hand, were granted a different status. They had more rights than an ordinary slave, but far fewer than a wife. Their function was primarily to bear children and care for the king’s palace TODAY ALONG THE WAY TODAY ALONG THE WAY (2 Sam. 15:16; 16:21). One secret to nur- According to Scripture, turing a love rela- King David had multiple tionship is to recog- wives and several concubines nize the uniqueness (2 Sam. 19:5). Solomon had a of the other person. This comes Today at Moody total of seven hundred wives of naturally during the beginning We appreciate the royal birth and three hundred of a relationship. In time these faithful service of concubines (1 Kings 11:3). The will seem commonplace. If the Robert Gunter, Vice numbers of wives and concu- relationship is to grow into a President and General bines listed in our reading today mature love, we will need to Counsel at Moody. are substantially lower. It may learn to look more deeply to dis- Please uphold him and be that this was written early in cover what makes that person his Executive Secretary, Solomon’s reign, before he had “one in a million.” Cassandrea Blakely, in acquired his enormous harem. This is true whether the prayer today. When compared to all relationship is a friendship or a other women, the bride stands romance. Try making a list of out. Solomon describes her as unique things that you appreci- “unique” (v. 9). The Hebrew ate about someone you love.

31 June 25 Friday Read: Song of Solomon 6:11–13 TODAY IN THE WORD These verses paint a very The old hymn “In romantic picture. It is one in Love is kind. the Garden” begins, which the bride is swept off her 1 Corinthians 13:4 “I come to the gar- feet and carried away by her den alone, while the lover. Not only is she by his dew is still on the roses.” In it, side once more, she has been hymnwriter Charles Austin elevated to her rightful status Miles describes an intimate as queen. encounter with Jesus. Miles Whether the bride stum- described his time spent in bles upon Solomon’s procession prayer this way: “And he walks by accident or is placed in the with me, and he talks with me, chariot by Solomon himself, and he tells me I am his own; the result is the same. She is and the joy we share as we surprised by love. This ought tarry there, none other has to be our goal as well: to make ever known.” it our mission to show love in Poets have often used the unexpected ways to those image of a garden to convey a around us. This is the principle sense of beauty and even inti- of Philippians 2:4, which urges: macy, and we have seen this “Each of you should look not image throughout the Song of only to your own interests, but Solomon. Verse 11 describes a also to the interests of others.” visit to a grove of nut trees. This could refer to a literal visit to a real garden, or it could be figu- rative language meant to speak of the blossoming of love. It is unclear who is doing the speak- TODAY ALONG THE WAY ing; the context does not clearly You do not need to indicate whether it is Solomon “sweep someone off or his bride. their feet” in order The translation is also to show them love. Today at Moody extremely difficult (the kjv, niv, You do not even need a chariot. and nasb each translate verse 12 One of the best ways to demon- Bruce Cain, Vice differently). After the speaker’s strate unexpected love to others President of Facilities visit to the garden, the speaker is by performing random acts of Management, leads a arrives among the chariots. kindness. Think of something hard-working team Although the Hebrew text is you can do for someone else that takes good care very obscure, many Bible schol- without drawing attention to of our campus. And ars believe that the bride is yourself. It does not have to be today, as they go about speaking. It may indicate that elaborate to be meaningful. their various tasks, she stumbled upon a royal pro- Simply giving a cold cup of they will be glad to cession during her visit to the water to one who is thirsty is know you’re praying nut grove. Another possibility is enough to warrant a reward for them. that the groom placed the bride from your Father in heaven among the chariots. (Mark 9:41).

32 June 26 Read: Song of Solomon 7:1–10 Saturday TODAY IN THE WORD not to withhold sex from one The popular televi- another (1 Cor. 7:3–5). The man and sion show Sex and Nevertheless, it is equally the City portrayed important to recognize that his wife . . . the glamorous love although sex is important in the life of single women living in marriage relationship, it is not felt no shame. New York. One of the stars, Kim our most important need. Henri Cattrall, noted that the images in Nouwen has written, “Your body Genesis 2:25 the program are unrealistic. “It’s needs to be held and to hold, to much more fun being single on be touched and to touch. None Sex and the City than it is in real of these needs is to be despised, life,” she observed. denied, or repressed. But you Scientific research sup- have to keep searching for your ports Cattrall. Recent studies body’s deeper need, the need show that married people enjoy for genuine love.” sex more than sexually active Married couples should singles, and that they even have not be ashamed of sex. It is a sex more frequently. The media gift from God. Yet its deepest image of the carefree sex life of pleasure is only a pale reflection the swinging single is a myth. of the delight we will experience This should come as no surprise in God’s presence. We can enjoy to Christians. The Bible teaches sex—but ultimately it is God’s that the marriage relationship is love that we need. the only appropriate context for sexual expression. In today’s passage, Solo- mon praises the physical beauty of his bride. His imagery TODAY ALONG THE WAY describes her from her feet to TODAY ALONG THE WAY her head (in that order). Sexual desire is part Solomon speaks so frankly that of our human his words have embarrassed nature. So is the people throughout history. In capacity to enjoy Today at Moody order to avoid this sexual imag- physical beauty. They are also a Today, please join us ery, the church has often tried stewardship entrusted to us by in prayer for the MBI to interpret this passage in God. Read Jesus’ warning in President, Dr. Joseph purely spiritual terms. If we did Matthew 5:28–30. Why do you Stowell, as he speaks not already know that this was think He uses such strong lan- at the Christian inspired Scripture, we might guage? According to 1 Thessa- Booksellers Association wonder if this passage truly lonians 4:3–9, what are some of conference in Atlanta, belonged in the Bible. the consequences of not con- Georgia. We ask for safe The emphasis in these trolling our bodies? What does it travel and strength from verses is proof that the physical mean for you to control your the Lord in Dr. Stowell’s dimension of the marriage rela- body in a way that is holy and busy schedule. tionship is important. The New honorable today? Ask God to Testament confirms this when it produce the spiritual fruit of commands husbands and wives self-control in your life today.

33 June 27 Sunday Read: Song of Solomon 7:11–13 TODAY IN THE WORD her husband choice delicacies In a Christianity “both new and old.” If marriage Flee from Today article enti- leads to sexual boredom, it is sexual immo- tled, “Losing Our not the institution but the nature Promiscuity,” author of the couple’s relationship that rality. Paula Rinehart quoted a woman is flawed. in her twenties with a history Sexual pleasure should 1 Corinthians 6:18 of sexual promiscuity. “I wish I never be squandered. God did hadn’t given so much of myself,” not intend for us to share this she lamented. “I feel that some gift with many. Instead, like of my experiences thinned my Solomon’s bride, it is something soul, and such an effect takes to be protected until it can be time to undo.” offered as a gift to the one for One of the many tragic whom it was originally intended. side effects of a promiscuous Our society approaches lifestyle is that it can lead to sex- sex as if it were fast food. ual boredom in the marriage Solomon’s bride understood relationship. Ironically, the that it is a rare delicacy. Moral notion that marriage makes sex purity enhances physical inti- boring is one of the myths used macy within marriage. It allows to justify a promiscuous lifestyle. a married couple to explore the In a healthy marriage the oppo- delights of the garden of love site is true. As the relationship without feeling the restraint of deepens, so does the couple’s past guilt. enjoyment of the physical dimension of their marriage. Today’s passage continues the Song of Solomon’s celebra- TODAY ALONG THE WAY tion of sexual love within the Scripture warns us context of marriage. The bride to flee sexual immo- promises to give her love to her rality (1 Cor. 6:18) groom. She declares, “At our and that immoral Today at Moody door is every delicacy, both new behavior is inconsistent with the and old, that I have stored up profession of godliness (Eph. The staff of our Enroll- for you, my lover” (v. 13). This 5:3). Thankfully, God also prom- ment Management beautiful image depicts sexual ises forgiveness and cleansing department follows the love as something rare that has to those who confess their sin— progress of our stu- been saved for the bride’s hus- no matter what it may be (1 dents from their first band alone. It is a cherished John 1:9). We cannot undo past day at Moody to gradu- treasure, hidden away until the decisions, but we can be made ation. You can support proper time. new through Jesus Christ. If you with your prayers today The bride’s imagery also have succumbed to sexual temp- these employees from suggests that those in a healthy tation, embrace the forgiveness Admissions: Marthe marriage should expect the found in Christ and Campa, Michael pleasures of physical intimacy to ask the Holy Spirit to give you Crumpler, and Mark increase rather than decrease renewed strength to glorify God Gamez. with time. She promises to give through your body.

34 June 28 Read: Song of Solomon 8:1–4 Monday TODAY IN THE WORD husband and wife to show affec- An anonymous tion to one another in public. If [Treat] older humorist defined he were her brother, however, the honeymoon as she could embrace him publicly women as “a short period of without stigma. doting between dating and debt- Technically, she does not mothers, and ing.” Honeymoons may be short, say that she wishes that her but few are as short as Carla groom were actually her brother, younger Dunford’s. According to a British but rather that he would be to newspaper, Dunford left her her “like” a brother. This simile women as husband Pete for Chris Herbert is used in the New Testament to after she had been married for characterize the relationship sisters, with less than three weeks. Her hus- between men and women in the absolute band was away on a trip when church. As we see in today’s she met her new love interest. verse, Paul urged Timothy to purity. “He’d only been gone a treat the women in the church couple of days,” Carla said, with the same respect found in 1 Timothy 5:2 “when I walked into the news- family relationships. agent’s and there was this gor- Purity and passion are geous man there. It was Chris, both important to the marriage although all I knew at the time relationship. Couples who are was that he was young, smart, born again are brothers and sis- good-looking and sexy.” Claiming ters in Christ as well as partners “love at first sight,” Dunford in marriage. Once they lose announced her decision to end sight of the obligations they the marriage when her husband owe one another in Christ, the returned home. honeymoon really is over. The phrase “the honey- TODAY ALONG THE WAY moon is over” implies that the TODAY ALONG THE WAY initial fire of romance will dimin- If you are a married ish over time. To some extent person, why not plan this is true. The nature of the a “honeymoon” love relationship changes—but weekend with your Today at Moody it does not have to grow cold. In spouse? If you cannot afford to Please continue to our passage today, the bride get away for the weekend, plan a uplift in prayer the longed to see the passion they romantic dinner at home. Admissions staff of experienced during their hon- During your time together the Enrollment ey-moon continue into the mar- discuss the steps you might Management depart- riage. need to take to keep the passion ment: Jacqueline Her wish that the groom alive in your marriage. Each of Holman, Annette Moy, would be like a brother who had you may want to answer some of and Jamie Stowell. been nursed at her mother’s the following questions: When Thank the Lord for breasts probably sounds a little do you feel most loved by your everything they do strange to modern ears, if not partner? How would you define in the service of our perverse. It must be understood a “romantic” evening? What students. in light of ancient Hebrew cul- goals would you set for your ture, where it was unusual for a marriage for the next year?

35 June 29 Tuesday Read: Song of Solomon 8:5–9 TODAY IN THE WORD appropriate. God alone deserves An old song says, our worship. Anger is “Don’t sit under the In some contexts human cruel and fury apple tree with any- jealousy is also an appropriate one else but me.” response. Jealousy arouses a overwhelm- The bride might have sung the husband’s fury and sparks a same words. Today’s passage desire for justice (Prov. 6:34). ing, but who describes the couple’s return Old Testament scholar Derek to an ancestral home, although Kidner calls this kind of jeal- can stand we aren’t given more details in ousy, “a proper intolerance of the text. disruptive intrusion.” He notes before jeal- People marvel at the sight that it is actually a mark of love. ousy? of the bride, who appears “com- A spouse whose partner ing up from the desert leaning has been unfaithful will inevita- Proverbs 27:4 on her lover” (v. 5). This may bly feel jealous. Once the mar- suggest that she was pregnant riage vows have been broken, it with their first child, and they takes time before trust can be are returning home for the birth. restored. Jealousy, whether The imagery the bride legitimate or illegitimate, does uses as she speaks to the groom not give way easily. emphasizes the importance of commitment and the power of love. For example, she asks him to place her like a “seal” over his heart. Seals were often made of gold or precious gems and were given as a pledge. They were TODAY ALONG THE WAY used to signify ownership and TODAY ALONGWhat makesTHE WAY you right of access. Even today, feel jealous? Make a wedding rings are given and list. Next to each worn as a kind of “seal.” They item write either the symbolize the wearer’s obliga- letter “A” (for appropriate) or “I” Today at Moody tion to be faithful to the one (for inappropriate). If you have they have wed. items marked “A” on your list, We ask that you The bride’s call to faithful- consider prayerfully discussing encourage with your ness is accompanied by a warn- them with the one who is the prayers our Vice ing about jealousy. This is not a cause. Your feelings may be a President of Broadcas- petty reminder. It is true that sign of a more serious problem ting, Robert Neff. Ask there are times when jealousy is in the relationship. If you have the Lord to bless his a sin. Christians are warned not items marked “I” on your list, ministry at Moody and to act in “dissension and jeal- ask God to replace your jealousy to give him wisdom in ousy” (Rom. 13:13). Jealousy is with the appropriate fruit of the making decisions and one of the works of the flesh Spirit. If you are unsure whether strength in facing listed in Galatians 5:20. But jeal- your feelings are appropriate or everyday challenges. ousy is also an attribute of God. inappropriate, consider discuss- He is a “jealous” God (Ex. 20:5; ing them with your pastor or a 34:14). In His case, jealousy is Christian counselor.

36 June 30 Read: Song of Solomon 8:5–9 Wednesday TODAY IN THE WORD Solomon had the right to let his “We are all made for vineyard out to tenants, she has Christ loved marriage, as our the right to give herself to the bodies show and the one she chooses. The Song of the church Scriptures state,” Solomon concludes with her Martin Luther noted. On this offering herself to the one she and gave point, however, Luther was loves, as a treasure unequaled. wrong. Scripture does not actu- This is the kind of love himself up ally say that we are all made for God ordained for the marriage marriage. Jesus taught that relationship. It is a gift that for her. being married and being single cannot be earned and is not Ephesians 5:25 were both callings from God. deserved. No amount of money While some marry, others have can compensate for its loss. It been called to be single for the should be no surprise, then, that sake of the kingdom of God. marriage reflects the relation- Likewise, the apostle Paul ship between Christ and the pointed out that single people church (Eph. 5:32). The heav- enjoy certain advantages when enly bride of Christ is Christ’s it comes to serving God. They treasure (Eph. 1:18). Christ have the potential to minister loved the church so much that without the distractions of mar- He “gave himself up for her” ried life. The determining factor (Eph. 5:25). is a matter of divine purpose for the individual. Paul favored the single life because of his own personal experience; he admit- ted that “each man has his own gift from God; one has this gift, TODAY ALONG THE WAY another has that” (1 Cor. 7:7). TODAY ALONG THE WAY Paul also recognized that During the wedding one’s marital state is also a mat- ceremony both hus- ter of choice. When he was band and wife are asked by a group of singles in asked to make a Today at Moody the Corinthian church whether commitment. In a sense, the In conclusion of this it was appropriate for them to same is true of the believer’s study on love, we’d like marry, Paul left the decision relationship with Christ. Jesus to thank you, members up to them (1 Cor. 7:25–28). has already spoken His vows. of the Moody family, They had the freedom to marry He has promised to receive all who have demonstrated whomever they pleased, as long who come to Him in faith (John the love of Christ to as they married another believer 6:37). He sealed this vow by Moody Bible Institute (cf. 1 Cor. 7:39). offering Himself on the cross through your faithful In today’s reading the as a payment for sin. All that prayers, generosity, and bride speaks of a similar free- remains is for us to respond. friendship. “Love never dom. She compares what she Have you committed your- fails” (1 Cor. 13:8). has to offer with the vineyard in self to the one who gave Himself Baal-hamon that Solomon for you? If not, He is still waiting already possesses. Just as to hear you say, “I do.”

37 MBCONTINUED FROMI PAGET 4 oday

the Internet. The 15-minute show airs five days a week via the Moody Broadcasting Network and features a dynamic mix of teaching, drama, music, and interviews— all geared toward developing fully devoted followers of Christ. “The method, whether we use drama or music or other bits, isn’t really as important as whether or not by the end of the day the listener is drawn closer to Christ,” said Pro- claim! managing producer Joe Carlson. Carlson, who has been working on Pro- claim! since it first aired eight years ago, confesses that a lot of work goes into each 15-minute show. “It usually starts with me recording Dr. Stowell preaching, either here on campus at chapel or on location somewhere else. While he’s talking I’ll lis- ten and note where we might insert a cool drama, amplify one of his points with a song, or interview someone on this topic. I give thanks that God placed your When it’s over, I’ll load the recording into program in my life. These messages on our computer. Since I’m always working on forgiveness have touched my life at the several things at one time, it’s usually a while before I get back to any given record- time I was desperately looking. ing, but when I do I pull back out the notes I have printed copies and will use them I took and I start dividing the recording frequently to remind me of the four keys into segments, looking for program intro- to forgiveness. I pray your program duction and that sort of thing,” he continues to touch other lives as it has explained. touched mine. I look forward to learning “Once I’ve edited the program together and growing more with Proclaim! with any bits we’re going to use, Dr. Thank you and God Bless! Stowell and Wayne come together in the

Nikki studio to record their dialogue. This is the connective glue that holds the show togeth- er, especially when we’re in the middle of a MBNEWS OF PEOPLE ANDI EVENTSToday AT MOODY BIBLE INSTITUTE

series that spreads out over several days. Dr. Stowell and Wayne can remind listen- ers of what they heard over the last couple I listen to Proclaim! every morning on of days to provide context for the current my way to school as an inner city middle day’s show. And it also gives Dr. Stowell an school teacher. Dr. Stowell, your message is opportunity to build rapport with listeners, just what I need to hear as I struggle to be to let them in on what’s going on in a Christian who will bring God glory and his life.” honor by my actions and words. On Thurs- After the dialogue is taped, Carlson day, March 4, I had a hard day at school times the show and burns it to a disc so it filled with student conflicts, disobedience, can be sent out on the network. “Honestly, and disrespect. I was angry and determined if it weren’t for our digital recording studio, to make my students pay for this when I it would be practically impossible to put got to school Friday morning. Every parent this show together.” Proclaim! has been so successful that was called and during my sleepless night, I many radio shows now mimic its mix of plotted my disciplinary methods. I literally teaching, drama, music, and dialogue. cried when I heard your message on grace Bringing together all these elements in one Friday morning. No, my students didn’t show is what Carlson loved about working deserve kindness, love, and understanding, on Proclaim! in the early days. But now he BUT neither do I! You reminded me that if says that the pieces of the show aren’t what I am to be known as a Christian I must do is most exciting. “Lots of people do drama, everything in my power to be like Jesus. music, little extras,” he said. “What’s cool is My plan totally changed, and the quiet Christ. We get the pleasure of seeing Him message of obedience and love I gave to my use us through Proclaim!, and I can’t think students gave me a day of peace and kind of a better way to spend my time.” ■ reactions from my students. This is not the first time your message has softened my approach to the problems we face as teach- ers in today’s hostile world. To learn when you can hear Thank you for sharing God’s word in Proclaim! in your area, call such a wonderful way! 1-800-DL MOODY In Christ, or visit www.mbn.org. Ellen What kind of plans have you made?

Will your estate plan avoid probate with its delays, attorney’s fees, and court costs?

If your current estate plan is a will, you may be leaving probate costs and delays to your family. A revocable living trust is an option you may want to consider. A properly drafted and funded living trust avoids probate expenses, delays, and publicity. It also can provide a management plan if you were ever to become disabled. A living trust is a way to leave an important legacy to family and ministries.

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