The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Genesis 42:14-20, “And Joseph said to them, ‘It is as I said to you, you are spies; 15 by this you will be tested: by the life of Pharaoh, you shall not go from this place unless your youngest brother comes here! 16 ‘Send one of you that he may get your brother, while you remain confined, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you. But if not, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies.’ 17 “So he put them all together in prison for three days. 18 “Now Joseph said to them on the third day, ‘Do this and live, for I fear God: 19 if you are honest men, let one of your brothers be confined in your prison; but as for the rest of you, go, carry grain for the famine of your households, 20 and bring your youngest brother to me, so your words may be verified, and you will not die.’ And they did so.”

Were you ever faced with an accusation from a person of genuine authority? Well, that’s precisely what Joseph’s brothers encountered as they stood before him in Pharaoh’s house in Egypt! It was indeed a serious matter; yet, the brothers did not know the one accusing them was their young brother Joseph.

Years before, when the brothers were all young, they had, in an act of jealousy, sold Joseph to some strangers who were journeying into Egypt. A severe famine had gripped all of Egypt, and Jacob had sent his sons there to buy food.

Ultimately, the boys were arrested as spies, and although they didn’t know it, they were standing before their brother Joseph. It was Joseph’s plan to give his brothers a “taste of their own medicine” by requiring them to bring him their youngest brother, Benjamin. He agreed that he would then give them the grain and release them to return to their father.

There are multiple “teachings” throughout this experience. Our lesson is that when we do wrong toward others, things will eventually “boomerang” back on us. So, be careful because “…surely your sins will find you out.”

Heartily yours in Christ Jesus,

Gene

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

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

Dear Grands,

John 5:25-34, “Truly, truly, I say to you, an hour is coming and now is, when the dead shall hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear shall live.

26 “For just as the Father has life in Himself, even so He gave to the Son also to have life in Himself;

27 and He gave Him authority to execute judgment, because He is the Son of Man.

28 “Do not marvel at this; for an hour is coming, in which all who are in the tombs shall hear His voice,

29 and shall come forth; those who did the good deeds to a resurrection of life, those who committed the evil deeds to a resurrection of judgment.

30 “I can do nothing on My own initiative. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is just, because I do not seek My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.

31 “If I alone bear witness of Myself, My testimony is not true.

32 “There is another who bears witness of Me, and I know that the testimony which He bears of Me is true.

33 “You have sent to John, and he has borne witness to the truth.

34 “But the witness which I receive is not from man, but I say these things that you may be saved.”

Multiple pieces of evidence today attest to Israel’s right to live in her ancient land in “days just prior” to Jesus Christ’s return! Consider these brief thoughts:

1. After centuries of wandering, Israel is back in her land of promise.
2. Archaeological excavations discover artifacts related to ancient Israel.
3. Ancient writings, agreeing with the Scriptures, have been discovered.
4. Intense opposition bespeaks Israel’s right to the land called by her name.

Heartily yours in Christ Jesus,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

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

Dear Grands,

Mark 13:28-33, “”Now learn the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know that summer is near. 29 “Even so, you too, when you see these things happening, recognize that He is near, right at the door. 30 “Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place. 31 “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away. 32 “But of that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone. 33 “Take heed, keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time is.”

The words “appointed time” are mentioned in the Old Testament 25 times; but in the New Testament only once, as referenced above. The phrase “sun rises” occurs only five times in the whole of Scripture, the words “sun sets” occur only four times; the word “time” itself appears 599 times in the whole of Scripture. We are duly warned!

Dr. John MacArthur, pastor of Grace Community Church in California, slipped into the arms of Jesus this past week, leaving a huge gap in the voice for the Gospel. I remember hearing him on the radio many years ago. His knowledge and usage of New Testament Greek were both helpful and encouraging!

Mark’s Gospel in the passage above tells us that the coming of our LORD Jesus Christ “is near, right at the door!” It is true that we do not know the precise time of Christ’s coming; however, we are admonished to “recognize that He is near, right at the door.”

Dr. MacArthur’s illness gave him awareness that his life was nearing an end. We’re not all given this awareness. Life may be shorter than we think. Sometimes a Gospel tract will help you to help others prepare. “Keep on the alert; for you and I do not know when our appointed times are coming.”

Heartily yours in Christ Jesus,

Gene

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

Dear Grands,

Leviticus 19:33-37, ‘When a stranger resides with you in your land, you shall not do him wrong.

34 ‘The stranger who resides with you shall be to you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself; for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God.

35 ‘You shall do no wrong in judgment, in measurement of weight, or capacity.

36 ‘You shall have just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin: I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from the land of Egypt.

37 ‘You shall thus observe all My statutes, and all My ordinances, and do them: I am the LORD.’

When I was a kid in school, the boys who got to school earliest were the boys who ruled the playground! If you wanted to be considered part of that group, you got there early to secure the position of your choice. Israel was late to the game; still, because she was favored by the LORD, she was enabled to gain a choice position in the land.

Selecting short passages of Scripture for commentary hardly does justice to the remainder of our passage, let alone the entirety of the book. At the same time, this passage opens considerable understanding of the nation of Israel. From 1922 to 1947, Israel existed under a British mandate. Great Britain called all the shots. In 1948, however, Israel gained her sovereignty, which exists to this very day.

“Sovereignty bespeaks “self-rule.” In many ways, that ought to be the possession of every nation. And those who seek residency within a sovereign nation should yield to that nation’s control. The Earth on which we reside is under the rulership of the LORD! He is Sovereign over all! And no worthwhile resident will resist His rule!

Who is your sovereign? Is He truly in control of your life? He says, “’You shall thus observe all My statutes, and all My ordinances, and do them: I am the LORD.’”

Heartily yours in Christ Jesus,

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

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

Dear Grands,

Deuteronomy 33:26-29, “There is none like the God of Jeshurun, who rides the heavens to your help, and through the skies in His majesty. 27 “The eternal God is a dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms; and He drove out the enemy from before you, and said, ‘Destroy!’” 28 “So Israel dwells in security, the fountain of Jacob secluded, in a land of grain and new wine; His heavens also drop down dew. 29 “Blessed are you, O Israel; who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, who is the shield of your help, and the sword of your majesty! So your enemies shall cringe before you, and you shall tread upon their high places.”

Were you ever in a place where you desperately needed help? What an inane question to ask! Everyone has at some point and in some way stood in need of help. Interestingly, there are 157 verses from Genesis to Hebrews that include the word “help.” In some instances, the word is used in a purely informational sense. In others, it’s a declaration of emergency. Adam’s wife Eve was the primary user when she said: “I have obtained a male child with the help of the LORD” (Gen. 4:1).

As far removed as we are from the descendants of Adam and Eve, we nevertheless continue to rely upon the LORD’s help for the challenging situations of daily life. Have you ever had computer problems? (Ah, you’ve noticed!) By the grace of God, I have grandsons whom you would think invented the computer! Many months ago, I suffered a fall that required the help of some competent medical professionals. Only today, I returned two items to Walmart—unopened items that need not have been purchased. I needed the help of the nice lady at the Returns Desk.

In all of the above, and in multiple additional instances, we all stand in need of help. Yet, what do we do when there is no one available to assist us? Ah, but there is! He’s an expert on everything! He is always available and contactable through prayer. He knows how to appropriate help to those who need it. But what about Jeshurun? He “rides the heavens to your help…” What about him? I’ve said enough! Go look it up!

Heartily yours in Christ Jesus,

Gene

(Dado III)

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

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