The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Proverbs 26:12-19, “Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a
fool than for him.
13 The sluggard says, “There is a lion in the road! A lion is in the open square!”
14 As the door turns on its hinges, So does the sluggard on his bed.
15 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; He is weary of bringing it to his mouth again.
16 The sluggard is wiser in his own eyes Than seven men who can give a discreet answer.
17 Like one who takes a dog by the ears Is he who passes by and meddles with strife not
belonging to him.
18 Like a madman who throws Firebrands, arrows and death,
19 So is the man who deceives his neighbor, And says, ‘Was I not joking?’”

Of all the Scriptures, Solomon’s Proverbs seem to need the least commentary. For while Solomon is touted as the wisest human who ever lived, his proverbs require less depth of thought than much of the entire Bible. I particularly like the 14th verse: “As the door turns on its hinges, so does the sluggard on his bed.” Who doesn’t understand that?

My dear wife always liked to invoke verse 20. Yes, purposely it is omitted it from the verses above, so that it might stand alone for a brief commentary.

“For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, contention quiets down” (v. 20). Whenever opposition arose in our house or whenever conversation skidded over into the “it’s-none-of-your-business” culvert, she always quoted this “lack of wood” verse. “That’s just none of our business,” she would say, “For the lack of wood, the fire goes out…” All conversation was brought to a stop!

We would do well to saturate our minds with Solomon’s proverbs. They are indeed as practical for our day and time as they were for Solomon’s era. Truth and wisdom do not grow old. They may have whiskers, but beneath the whiskers lie eternal truths that we would do well to emulate. So, before you criticize me for their mention here, just remember to refrain from tossing that piece of wood on the fire. Thank you!

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.
Springdale, Arkansas 72764
United States of America

“We never know that Christ is all we need until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom