The Grands Letter

Dear Friends,

Proverbs 3:13-18, “How blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding.
14 For her profit is better than the profit of silver and her gain better than fine gold.
15 She is more precious than jewels; and nothing you desire compares with her.
16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are pleasant ways and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, and happy are all who hold her fast.”

It’s helpful when reading the Proverbs to remember that Solomon was their human author. Solomon emphasizes for us what was most precious to him: first is wisdom, second is understanding. “Wisdom” is a derivative of the word “wise.” And “wise” comes from the Hebrew word sakal, meaning “prudent,” possessing the ability to guide others in the proper way.

“Understanding” (tachbulah) rightly presumes a “depth of understanding, that produces counsel, each of which far exceeds the worth of silver or gold or even precious jewels.

I hate like thunder to say this, but Solomon values the right hand over the left.
(I have one grandson, who is left-handed; yet, his discernment of things has yet to be found in error.)

It’s always good to close with a happy note, so let us read slowly and pray that these instructions will produce for us and for our nation what they produced for Solomon: “Her ways are pleasant ways and all her paths are peace.”

Heartily in Christ Jesus,

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

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