The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Ecclesiastes 12:10-14, “The Preacher sought to find delightful words and to write words of truth correctly. The words of wise men are like goads, and masters of these collections are like well-driven nails; they are given by one Shepherd.
12 But beyond this, my son, be warned: the writing of many books is endless, and excessive devotion to books is wearying to the body.
13 The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.
14 For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.”

There was an old saying, scribbled on the flyleaf of my college Latin textbook:

“Latin is a dead language,
It’s as dead as it can be;
It killed the ancient Romans,
And now it’s killing me.”

Whatever the case may be, the Holy Scriptures were not originally written in English. Thus, the word “Preacher” in our text above (Qoheleth in Hebrew), literally means “collector of sentences.” I guess that fits with preachers today. At least, it does for my pastors.

More importantly still, those “words of wise men” were like goads to the hearers. Goads were sticks with sharp points used for prodding the cattle, keeping them in line. Words of the Preacher often gouge us into thinking clearly and accurately, enabling us to live and move as the LORD requires.

Have you ever been hurt by your Preacher’s goads? I have! It’s a stinging hurt! They startle and awaken the spiritually sleeping listener. Good that they do, too; because the LORD will one day bring our somber, sleepiness into judgment.

“How is that fair?” you ask. It is fair because we will stand trial concerning the Word the Preacher advocates. His warning lies in the Scriptures we have today. Failure to acquaint ourselves with His Word will doubtlessly render the “guilty” on that day. So, we had all best start now to spend time “cramming” for His finals!

So, take a word from Isaiah, the Prophet: “Seek from the book of the LORD, and read!” (Isa. 34:16) You can start today! Who knows the time or the day of His testing? It may be sooner than we think!

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

Dear Grands,

Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, “There is an appointed time for everything. And there is a time for every event under heaven–
2 A time to give birth and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.
3 A time to kill and a time to heal; a time to tear down and a time to build up.
4 A time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance.
5 A time to throw stones and a time to gather stones; a time to embrace and a time to shun embracing.
6 A time to search and a time to give up as lost; a time to keep and a time to throw away.
7 A time to tear apart and a time to sew together; a time to be silent and a time to speak.
8 A time to love and a time to hate; a time for war and a time for peace.
9 a time to give birth and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to uproot what is planted.
10 I have seen the task which God has given the sons of men with which to occupy themselves.
11 He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end.”

What time is it? Careful notation of the positives v. negatives in the verses above will reveal which are valued above the others. For example, verse two reads first: “A time to give birth and a time to die…” Birth is positive; death is negative. A “time to plant” is positive; “a time to uproot what is planted” is negative.

Yet, in verses three and four, the negatives are first. Notice that “kill” and “tear down” (v. 3) are negatives, while “heal” and “build up” are positives. Then, there is a reversal in vv. 4-5, where the negatives come first. To the Hebrews those things that are more important are generally mentioned first. Yet, further down, verse 8 tells us that love is superior to hate; yet, there is always a time for war and for peace.

What time is it in your life? For some readers, it is certainly time to seek
the LORD. Is this the time the LORD has for you to come to Him? to be safe and secure in His love? Believe me, dear friend, there is no better time! Just ask Him to forgive your sins and save your soul. There is no greater security than the LORD’s; and He should be first on your list.
I pray He is.

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

Dear Grands,

Ecclesiastes 5:6-9, “Do not let your speech cause you to sin and do not say in the presence of the messenger of God that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry on account of your voice and destroy the work of your hands?
7 For in many dreams and in many words there is emptiness. Rather, fear God.
8 If you see oppression of the poor and denial of justice and righteousness in the province, do not be shocked at the sight; for one official watches over another official, and there are higher officials over them.
….

13 There is a grievous evil which I have seen under the sun: riches being hoarded by their owner to his hurt.
14 When those riches were lost through a bad investment and he had fathered a son, then there was nothing to support him.
15 As he had come naked from his mother’s womb, so will he return as he came. He will take nothing from the fruit of his labor that he can carry in his hand.”

If ever there were practical words of advice in the Bible, they are here in the book of Ecclesiastes. How many of us (yes, you the reader and I the writer) have spoken out of turn? Even more so, we have spoken negatively in the presence of the LORD, making Him angry and destructive of our intentions.

Multiple things that command our attention are simply empty of value. Time is of more value than the multiple things that often fill it. What also ought to command our attention is the oppression of the poor and those who are denied justice.

The Book does not condemn riches, per se; yet it does look down on bad investments and the lack of care for the support of one’s family. Money itself is not sinful; but everyone will one day die; and how does that wealth benefit its owner then?

“Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into
your lap a good measure– pressed down, shaken
together, and running over. For by your standard of
measure it will be measured to you in return” (Lk. 6:38).

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

Dear Grands,

Ecclesiastes 5:1-5, “Guard your steps as you go to the house of God and draw near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools; for they do not know they are doing evil.
2 Do not be hasty in word or impulsive in thought to bring up a matter in the presence of God. For God is in heaven and you are on the earth; therefore let your words be few.
3 For the dream comes through much effort and the voice of a fool through many words.
4 When you make a vow to God, do not be late in paying it; for He takes no delight in fools. Pay what you vow!
5 It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay.”

Have you ever read the above verses and considered that they could well apply to us all as we enter the LORD’s house each LORD’s Day? If we indeed “guard our steps” as we enter His house, we are acknowledging that we are there to listen, to learn, and to pray and to praise Him for the peace He affords those who truly worship Him in spirit and in truth.

Whether we admit it or not, behavior in the LORD’s House could often be mistaken for a social event instead of worship. We simply move in and out as we please, taking no notion of the disturbance of others or of the pastor and the spiritual value of his message.

I do have recollection of a book authored by a very liberal minister in which he stated that there was a segment of time in his church’s worship service that was allocated totally for personal, spiritual reflection. There was no singing, no instrumental music, no audible prayers, no reading of Scripture– simply a time for quiet, personal introspection in one’s worship and adoration of the Living God.

Ecclesiastes warns us to “guard (our) steps as (we) go to the house of God.”
We should clothe ourselves and behave ourselves as if the Governor of the state or the President himself were there to worship. Then we should listen
carefully to the Pastor, who has studied to instruct us in the way of the LORD.
We need to pray daily for our pastors. They feel the weight of their position, and often the weight of their study. Our prayerfulness and overall behavior enables them to present what we need through the preaching of the Word.

After all is said and done, the LORD holds us responsible for our behavior. May we always be pleasing in His sight just as He is in ours.

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

Dear Grands,

Psalm 119:130-134, “The unfolding of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple.
131 I opened my mouth wide and panted, for I longed for Your commandments.
132 Turn to me and be gracious to me, after Your manner with those who love Your name.
133 Establish my footsteps in Your Word, and do not let any iniquity have dominion over me.
134 Redeem me from the oppression of man, that I may keep Your precepts.
135 Make Your face shine upon Your servant, and teach me Your statutes.”

These words of the Psalmist are humbling. Just imagine living the life of the one who wrote this psalm, yet falling to your knees with your head to the ground, crying out to the LORD from your heart and soul for His divine Light!

The greatness of life is measured by the humble cry for the LORD’s help! The psalmist envisioned his life as needy. He had no strength or power within himself. His earnest need is sounded in his verbal cries: “Turn to me… be gracious to me… Establish my footsteps… Redeem me… Teach me Your statutes.” How totally, thoroughly, often, the psalmist viewed his need of God.

We all want to be admired whether we play sports, or excel academically.
Moreover, what is admirable above either is simply throwing our lives on the mercy of the LORD and trusting Him to use us “to the praise of His glory.”

This is not quiting; it’s trusting everything to the LORD Jesus Christ. He has entrusted us with certain abilities that exist for His praise. View a proud parent whose child has excelled in school. Christ glories in our progress, all of which at its root is spiritual. Thus, all praise redounds to Him, and to Him alone.

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