Never Go Alone

They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck. One lesser-known Jewish tradition I’d like to tell you about is levayah, which is Hebrew for “escorting.” After we host guests in our home, we accompany them out through our door and beyond. — Proverbs 1:9

Every Friday, we turn to the Book of Proverbs for timeless wisdom to guide our lives and strengthen our faith. One of the 11 books of the Ketuvim —“Writings” in Hebrew—Proverbs belongs to the Bible’s wisdom tradition, offering practical and godly guidance for living with faith, integrity, and understanding.

In earlier generations, a host would often walk guests part of the way back to their house or even all the way home. While our roads are mainly safe today, for most of history, traveling could be dangerous. When a host escorted his guests, he was both expressing his affection for them and also ensuring their safety. Today, when we escort our guests, it lets them know they are loved.

I have fond memories of my childhood in America, as my grandfather would walk us out of his house and all the way out to our car. He would stand outside in rain or sleet or snow, waving to us as we pulled out of the driveway and still there waving as drove out of sight.

In Proverbs, we read that the words of God “are a garland to grace your head…” However, in Hebrew, this verse tells us that God’s words are a levayah, an escort “to grace your head.” The Jewish sages explain that when a person has no choice but to travel alone, the Word of God is their escort. God’s Word accompanies us, protects us, and guides us wherever we go.

While it’s wonderful to have companions who walk beside us and escort us through life, there are times when we are alone. And sadly, far too many people—people like widows, orphans, and the poor—find themselves alone most of the time. It can be difficult to be on our own, but this verse teaches us that we are never alone with God’s Word by our side.

The Bible is our life-long companion. Its teachings are our guide. Its messages are a source of love. When there is no one to show us the way, God’s Word directs us. When there is no one to help us navigate the dangers of life, the Bible protects us.

Just as a garland surrounds a head, the words of the Bible surround our soul, and with God’s Word, we are escorted on our journey through life—directed, protected, and loved.