What does it mean that by wisdom a house is built (Proverbs 24:3)?

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!

Verse 27 shows that it is wise to make full preparations for building a house before beginning, working outside in order to have experience that will be most useful when building. A young man should certainly learn to work first before building a house for himself.

Wisdom must not be mistaken for knowledge; nor must it be confounded with understanding. Those who have knowledge, important as this is, are not always wise. It is desirable also to have understanding, along with that which we know; so that the right relation of one thing with another may intelligently be seen. But wisdom shows itself in the right use and application of the truth; also in the right way and occasion. The Holy Spirit desires for us, the full knowledge of God's will, “in all wisdom and spiritual understanding” (Col. 1:9).

Nevertheless wisdom is greatly to be desired, and the reason why Solomon wrote down his proverbs was “to know wisdom and instruction, to perceive the words of understanding” (Prov. 1:2). And what is wisdom? It is the right application of knowledge, without which knowledge is a dangerous thing.

Solomon had a valuable heritage in being the son of David, though this itself did not give him his wisdom, for it was when he took the throne of Israel, God then gave him wisdom and knowledge. If we are to understand rightly the book of Proverbs, we might well act upon the advice of James in his epistle (ch. 1:5), "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him." But this does not mean we shall know everything immediately. for it takes time and energy of faith to learn by means of the Word of God, "to know wisdom and instruction" (v. 1), and "to perceive the words of understanding." Wisdom is the proper application of knowledge: understanding is the right perception of knowledge. When these requisites are present, then we are prepared to receive the instruction of wisdom (v. 3), which includes proper judgment, justice and equity. Equity is the virtue of being well balanced. Prudence is added to this in verse 4, a necessity for the simple, for this involves caution in our conduct. The young man is specially singled out here as needing knowledge and discretion. For knowledge alone without discretion may make us haughty and overbearing toward others, but discretion will keep us from being hasty in our treatment of them.

Having settled the matter of His Lordship over yourselves and your home, what of the internal economy of your home? What have you to carry on with? You have your God-given love for each other — a great gift, life would be intolerable together without that — but that is not enough for a truly successful marriage; you will need to mix wisdom with your love; and not worldly wisdom, which is more often than not rank folly. You will need the wisdom which is from above, of which James speaks, which "is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits." But how can you secure that wisdom, the price of which is above rubies? Listen to this, E — , and let the words be engraved on your memory and soul, "If any man lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." "It shall be given him"; what an encouragement there is in that for prayer in the Name of the Lord to whom you have surrendered yourself and your home! What a standby that word of the Lord will be to you when in perplexity and doubt.

"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 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).

Having seen wisdom set before us in the person of Christ, once again this wisdom is seen evidenced subjectively in believers, as is indicated in the words "she" and "her." How good it is to see a response of faith in those redeemed by the blood of Christ. "Wisdom has built her house," that is, by faith she has established a permanent dwelling from which no-one can dispossess her (v. 1). Her seven pillars are named for us in James 3:17: "The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy." If unbelievers see in us these vital characteristics, they will have no excuse for ignoring the truth for which we stand.