The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Proverbs 23:9-16, “Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of your words.
10 Do not move the ancient boundary or go into the fields of the fatherless,
11 For their Redeemer is strong; He will plead their case against you.
12 Apply your heart to discipline and your ears to words of knowledge.
13 Do not hold back discipline from the child, although you strike him with the rod, he will not die.
14 You shall strike him with the rod and rescue his soul from Sheol.
15 My son, if your heart is wise, my own heart also will be glad;
16 And my inmost being will rejoice when your lips speak what is right.”

It used to annoy me that my parents were always right! I could offer a reasonable explanation for any activity only to discover that they knew more about it than I did! I recall an incident when one of my friends was kidnapped. The kidnapping itself actually occurred, but one element of my friend’s account was discounted by my mother. Verse nine above speaks most accurately of me (the fool) in an encounter with my mother. Had I challenged my friend, who had mistold the account, he most surely would have taken my place as the fool.

A chief possession in Old Testament times was the size of a man’s fields. No doubt, some men did move the boundary line, so as to add more acreage to their own fields. Solomon’s warning included that of the LORD Jesus Christ, as well. Such accusations will come forth in the end times, and instead of being the man’s Advocate, the LORD will be the man’s Accuser!

Discipline is mandatory for all people! We learn it first as a child through words that point us in the correct way. If words do not serve their intention, physical correction may come by way of the rod. Better the child is corrected in life than to end up on the wrong side of eternity. Godly parents want their children to act wisely in all things. Parents rejoice in heart when their children always do and say what is true. Furthermore, the LORD rejoices when we all behave according to His direction and will. Check up on yourself! We all need a self-checkup every day!

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