What does it mean that a wise woman builds her house (Proverbs 14:1)?

"A wise woman builds her house" (v. 1). Of course, this is not literal building, but the building up of her family in the ways of the Lord, so that in the end her children rise up and bless her. But a foolish woman has hands that do evil work, with the result that her house (her family life) sadly falls apart. Witness the results of Jezebel's conduct: her daughter Athaliah murdered her own grandchildren (2 Kings 11:1), in gross wickedness destroying her own house. See in contrast the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31:10-31).

"The wisdom of woman builds the house; but folly plucks it down with her hands. "He that walks in his uprightness fears Jehovah; but the perverted in his ways despises him. "In the fool's mouth [is] a rod of pride; but the lips of the wise shall preserve them. "Where no oxen [are], the crib [is] clean; but much increase [is] by the strength of the ox. "A faithful witness will not lie; but a false witness breathes out lies. "A scorner seeks wisdom; and [there is] none for him; but knowledge [is] easy to the intelligent. "Go away from a foolish man, in whom thou perceivest not the lips of knowledge. "The wisdom of the prudent [is] to understand his way; but the folly of fools [is] deceit. "Fools make a mock at trespass; but among the upright [is] favour." Chap. 14:1-9.

If man has his place in authority and external activity, not less real is that of the woman, and especially in the "home" of which she is the chief bond. Yet there is even there the need of a better foundation than man can lay, else it will surely fail, and it cannot be the house that the wisdom of woman builds. Keeping at home is good; working at home, as in the critical reading of Titus 2:5, is still better. And how true that folly plucks down the house with her hands!

A wise woman who cares for her family with discernment, manages her budget economically, enriches her home with love and joy, is a great blessing to her husband and children, and to all who enter that home.

The mother is truly the center and the heart of the home. The attractions of home depend largely upon the attitude and spirit of the wife. The prudent wife who manages her household with wise and thrifty economy and graces the home with love and cheerfulness is a great blessing to her husband and children and to all who enter her home. A husband's success or ruin in life often depends upon his wife's conduct in the home. Many men today owe their position in life largely to the wisdom and sound judgment of their wives.

Verses 3 to 6 stand in beautiful contrast to such folly as is seen in verse 1 and 2, in which we see nothing whatever built. But verse 3 speaks of wisdom being the principle by which a house is built, and its being established by understanding. Of course, this does not speak of a material building, but the building up of family life, as seen, for instance, in "the house of David." The rooms being "filled with all precious and pleasant riches" (v. 4) reminds us of believers being "blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies in Christ" (Eph. 1:3)."

It is wholly different with the wisdom that begins with fearing Jehovah, which instead of active mischief builds up a house for family use, and by understanding establishes it. And as He prospered the wise in their projects, so He gave knowledge to furnish richly and pleasantly. For this book contemplates His people on earth, not present suffering with Christ and glory on high. How different Christ's part here below, and the lot of His faithful ones!

A wise man is strong, we are told. It is moral strength, the reverse of Samson's physical strength with moral weakness and folly. Hence too a man of knowledge increases strength, instead of losing its advantage by heedlessness. As it is prospered in peace, so wise counsel is of the greatest weight in war (v. 6), where, as danger thickens, safety is in multitude of counsellors, not in self-confidence.

One of the most valuable services of a mother in the home is the training of children. This is her special work since she spends more time with the children than the father and exercises a powerful influence over their lives for good or bad. Notice how often the mother's name is given in the books of Kings and Chronicles in connection with the various kings of Israel. The Spirit of God thus points out to us what was probably the most important factor in the moulding of the character of the men who ruled God's people the influence of the mother.

The foundation of the child's character is laid in the home training and the mother's hand is the instrument which God delights to use in this work. The mother's most important and divinely-appointed work is in the home with her children and she should devote herself wholly to their care, training, and upbringing. If a mother neglects this momentous work in the home or leaves it to others while she seeks to do service for the Lord in other spheres, she leaves her work undone and will surely fail to rightly accomplish someone else's work to which she has not been called. The teaching and training which children receive from their mothers during their young years when sensibilities are tender is most influential upon their whole after life and will leave an impression upon their young, plastic, and receptive minds and hearts which cannot be erased. How important, then, is the work of mothers in the homes. May it not be neglected.

But it was not the father alone who turned this son into paths of sin: the very fact that the Spirit of God records with such care the name and character of his mother, tells us that she too had part in forming his character. And as we read the stories of these kings of old, we cannot but be struck with the fact that in most instances the name of the mother is given to us, intimating that the responsibility for the child's character rested in a large measure with the mother. During those childhood days, when lifelong impressions are being imprinted on the child's character, it is the mother, much more than the father, or any other person, who generally has to do with the little one. This does not lessen the responsibility of the father, but it does increase the responsibility of the mother.

But it is in the home circle, as the wife and "happy mother of children," that the woman finds her special sphere in which to glorify God; it is here she shines the brightest, and we may add, exerts the mightiest influence. It is a remarkable fact, as another has pointed out, that in the books of Kings and Chronicles, where the reigning monarchs exerted such important influences with the people and in God's testimony at the time, we are told some thirty times of "his mother's name;" the Spirit of God thus pointing out to us what was probably the most important factor in the moulding of the character of the men who ruled His people Israel. Eternity alone will fully reveal all that Timothy (of whom Paul had no man so "like-minded") owed to the early training received from his mother Eunice, and the influence, whether direct or indirect, of his grandmother Lois (See 2 Tim. 1:5).

Oh! there is no sight on this sad earth so refreshing and lovely, as a Christian household, graced by a submissive and obedient wife and faithful mother, whose words and actions breathe the spirit of her gentle, heavenly Master, and who, "without words," by her chaste conversation, coupled with fear, in the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit, wins hearts for Christ, and preaches Him by her daily walk, and thus adorns the doctrine and gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, a light to all that are in the house, and to the comers in. Many a husband may be a Nabal, but if his wife is a true Abigail, David's Son and Lord will know how to honour her.