The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Proverbs 3:13-24, “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.

19 The LORD by wisdom founded the earth, by understanding He established the heavens.

20 By His knowledge the deeps were broken up and the skies drip with dew.

21 My son, let them not vanish from your sight; keep sound wisdom and discretion,

22 so they will be life to your soul and adornment to your neck.

23 Then you will walk in your way securely and your foot will not stumble.

24 When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet.”

Those who have read of Solomon in the Scriptures are well aware of his intelligence and his acquisition of immense personal wealth. Yet, his words in this passage inform us that wisdom is the principal factor, and he would have others acquire it rather than riches. He allows that there is profit in silver and gold, yet he argues that wisdom is far more precious.

Solomon speaks of the value of long life; yet without the adornment of knowledge and wisdom, even the extension of life is lacking in true value. He personalizes life, identifying it as feminine. He clothes wisdom in fine jewels and sees her hand clasping riches and honor. Wisdom is pleasant and overflows in peace.

Wisdom lies in the hand of the LORD. It is His foundation upon which the earth rests. Understanding was also embedded in His plan for the earth. By divine knowledge, the LORD brought forth water from the depths of the earth, and the skies shared with the earth her abundance of rain.

Solomon admonishes his audience to retain his words. His promise is that the words will be life to men’s souls, and such will be beneficial to those who hear and obey them. Whether one be alert and awake or asleep and at rest, these principles of wisdom will serve them abundantly well. Be encouraged, therefore, to seek only that which the LORD has provided. Only His provisions will be beneficial. The LORD does all things exceedingly well!

Heartily in Christ,

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

United States of America

“We will never know that Christ is all that we need,

until He becomes all that we have.” – Corrie ten Boom