The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Proverbs 8:1-12, “Does not wisdom call, and understanding lift up her voice?

2 On top of the heights beside the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand;

3 Beside the gates, at the opening to the city, at the entrance of the doors, she cries out:

4 “To you, O men, I call, and my voice is to the sons of men.

5 “O naive ones, understand prudence; and, O fools, understand wisdom.

6 “Listen, for I will speak noble things; and the opening of my lips will reveal right things.

7 “For my mouth will utter truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

8 “All the utterances of my mouth are in righteousness; there is nothing crooked or perverted in them.

9 “They are all straightforward to him who understands, and right to those who find knowledge.

10 “Take my instruction and not silver, and knowledge rather than choicest gold.

11 “For wisdom is better than jewels; and all desirable things cannot compare with her.

12 “I, wisdom, dwell with prudence, and I find knowledge and discretion.”

Solomon was the LORD’s choice to speak on the subject of “wisdom.” At every juncture in life, it would appear that Solomon called upon wisdom to be his innate guide: “beside the gates…at the opening to the city…at the entrance of the doors” – virtually everywhere Solomon encounters wisdom. Those who fail to understand and/or possibly fail to interact with wisdom, Solomon cites as “naïve” or “fools.”

The psalmist’s admonition to his readers is that we are to listen and believe; for He views knowledge as more valuable than the “choicest gold,” and wisdom as more desirable than “jewels.” What invaluable treasures knowledge and wisdom are! Have we forgotten? Would we not exchange them for “lesser” things?

Have you ever been lost and without the slightest idea how to escape back into reality? What value then would those “fine treasures” be? You could be driving the finest and most expensive mode of transportation known; yet, without the slightest knowledge of your physical location, or how to maneuver back into reality, procuring a crumpled old map in exchange for an expensive wristwatch would seem the very thing to do. Listen and abide with Solomon. Be free indeed!

Heartily in Christ,

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