Dear Gentle Reader,

 Well winter is here, we are stuck without a chance to get out for a wee walk so Paddy and I are taking to our next best pastime "eating" And I am hungry for a grilled cheese sandwich- Paddy will eat anything! Marti wants one too so this will have to be a shorter blog!

  "To receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;" Proverbs 1:3

A professor recently shared with his students the theory of what he called a "Grilled Cheese Education."  After teaching for many years, he noted that in the past few semesters, college kids can be likened to a man who goes into a fine restaurant, orders Hibachi Steak, but gladly accepts a grilled cheese sandwich when the food is brought out.  Upon receipt of the bill, the man pays in full for a steak that he did not receive or enjoy. 

Knowing the meaning behind the professor's words, one student spoke up and said, "We just want the degree so we can get a good job."  And as the instructor let his head fall into his hands, the horrible modern view was evident: Few people want to receive instruction, but they all want to reap the benefits and rewards that follow. 

We want wisdom, but we don't want to be instructed in it.  We want to be just, but we don't want anyone to tell us if we're being unjust.  We want to claim that we have good judgment, but we fail to know what it is.  We want to stand tall, but we continue looking at the ground.  To receive instruction on anything is the only way that a man can actually profit in his end reward.

The "instruction of wisdom" is, as we already know, the capstone of this entire book.  For we will discover that all of life is wrapped up in a choice between folly and ignorance or wisdom and grace.  Thus, if we are willing to receive instruction unto wisdom, then read on.

The instruction of "justice and judgment" can seem rather obscure depending on how we look at it.  Given a different word, we might have more familiar connection:

"All Scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:" II Timothy 3:16

Solomon's notion of justice and judgment is found in his teaching on righteousness.  What is it to be right?  How can a man know if what he has said, what he has done, or what he has thought is right?  Such instruction comes from the Word of God.  If we are to know what it is to be right, to be just, and to exercise good judgment, read on.

The instruction of "equity" rests on a much more personal application.  This is not, as many of us would assume, a matter of good financial planning.  Quite the contrary, the instruction of equity is about teaching an insecure man to be confident.  Insecurities come in the absence of sure knowledge and as a result, many find themselves ashamed by what they do not know.  Solomon affirms that if a man wants to stand tall, he should read on.

If we are to share in that stand, then it is our responsibility to be instructed on the wisdom, justice, judgment, and equity that lay the necessary footing.  Now is the time to recognize our need for instruction, to anticipate the process, and to accept more than a Grilled Cheese Education.

So Gentle Reader, my sandwich is done and I'd offer you some but Paddy ate yours!

 See you tomorrow, 

Denis, Marti, Paddy pooch, Chi Chi Angel, And Duffy Bird