The Grands Letter (Prov/GLJ)
Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D. on April 19, 2026 5:03 am (CST)
Dear Grands,
Proverbs 30:2-9, “Surely, I am more stupid than any man, and I do not have the understanding of a man.
3 Neither have I learned wisdom, nor do I have the knowledge of the Holy One.
4 Who has ascended into heaven and descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fists? Who has wrapped the waters in His garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name or His son’s name? Surely you know!
5 Every word of God is tested; He is a shield to those who take refuge in Him.
6 Do not add to His words or He will reprove you, and you will be proved a liar.
7 Two things I asked of You: do not refuse me before I die:
8 Keep deception and lies far from me, give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is my portion,
9 That I not be full and deny You and say, “Who is the LORD?” or that I not be in want and steal, and profane the name of my God.”
The Psalmist is here acknowledging and placing upon himself some serious restrictions.
Indeed, they are matters that should concern everyone. Initially, he deprecates himself, saying that he is stupid and without the qualities of either man or the LORD.
Have you ever said that, or openly put yourself down as totally unqualified to give an opinion about a subject that has arisen among friends? It’s difficult to do. Normally, we want those close to us to depict us as “quite knowledgeable” on a variety of subjects.
But, such was not the way of Solomon. In this verse, he literally calls himself “stupid,” and thereafter, speaks only of the LORD, extolling all His wisdom and abilities. Why would he do this? Read again verses three and following. “Every word is tested…” How clearly are the memorable words of my maternal grandmother: “We will give an account for every idle word.” Do you here and now recall things you never ought to have said? Sadly, so do I!
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
