One of my favorite verses in the Bible is found in Proverbs 14:1 which
says:
"Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down
with her hands."
Very often in scripture, wisdom and folly are contrasted. As I was recently
reminded through my son's Language curriculum, the purpose for contrasting
things is to provide a greater lesson. As you study out the topic of wisdom,
you can't help but notice it's constructive nature! At the same time,
in the verse above, folly's destructive nature is quite obvious as well.
What I want to focus on today, is the activity of wisdom. The Bible tells
us that a wise woman builds a home. If you think about it, building a
house can seem quite an overwhelming task for a woman to take on! One
typically pictures several burly, muscular construction workers to be
hired for such a job, amen? Nevertheless, with Wisdom's help, any and
every woman can succeed. By her counsel and personal example, this wise
lady manages the affairs of her home in the right way - God's way! Once
that home is built, then what? Do you just sit back and admire the work
that was accomplished? Turn with me to Proverbs chapter 9 as we investigate
this topic further....
Proverbs 9:1, "Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven
pillars."
Here we get the picture of construction having been completed. So too,
we gain insight as to the type of work that was involved in building this
home via the word "hewn". "Hewn" is defined as cut and made smooth or
even; chopped; hacked; shaped by cutting or by a chisel or ax. You see
ladies, to build a home Wisdom's way is not an easy task - it takes blood,
sweat and tears. It takes Jesus blood and your sweat and tears! After
salvation, you must allow God to cut away your rough and crooked spots
and make them smooth and even. You must allow the Word of God to chop,
hack and shape you into a wise woman. Wisdom takes the necessary time
to laboriously hew out not just one or two, but seven splendorous pillars!
The number of God... Believe me ladies, this home is nothing flimsy, and
it is a major undertaking! It stands out from all others... The beauty
and stature of the finished product cannot be denied and it is a monument
to the glory of God. It is a holy dwelling...
Vs. 2-3, "She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath
also furnished her table. She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth
upon the highest places of the city."
After construction is complete, Wisdom busily prepares for company! That's
right, this place is not intended to be a museum... Animals are slain,
the wine is flavored with spices and the table is elaborately set. Yes,
Wisdom puts on quite a spread... After all, when one enters the doors
of such a magnificent, godly home adorned
with seven pillars you would expect to find something other than peanut
butter and jelly being served, amen? The maidens who attend Wisdom are
sent forth to the highest places of the city so that all may hear and
know they have been invited to come into such a home. They cry from the
very housetop an open call for nourishment...
Vs. 4-6, "Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth
understanding, she saith to him, Come, eat of my bread, and drink the
wine
which I have mingled. Forsake the foolish and live; and go in the way
of understanding."
One can't help but notice in reading this entire chapter today that Wisdom
has a burden for the simple, the scorner, and the fool. Ladies, God would
have us to spend time with those who walk in wisdom... He would counsel
us to "turn in hither" toward the direction of their influence. Hence,
the wise must be willing to extend an invitation to those who might be
all too eager to accept Folly's destructive invitation! Though many will
reply to your initial invitation, not all will respond the same to the
nourishment the Spirit of God provides at the counsel of a wise woman.
She has meat to serve - meat found in the Holy Scriptures. She has mingled
wine to serve - personal experience mingled with her spiritual knowledge.
She has bread to serve - the Bread of Life - the way of salvation! Her
testimony is rich with stimulating spices, having a godly flavor... She
freely opens her home and has furnished her table with all sorts of nourishment
for those who are apt to go astray. Yes, Wisdom expresses a sincere concern
for the simple, for that one in want of sound judgement. She desires to
send the empty out of her home filled with a thorough understanding of
that which is truly productive for their souls. There is certainly no
greater purpose for a home built with seven pillars! Those who have graced
the doors of Widsom's home have tasted of the holiness and benefits of
right living...
In closing, ladies, those who have accepted Christ and gained the wisdom
of God must go forth with a heart to invite guests into their homes and
a desire to take them under their wing, amen? Are you willing to help
those who lack good judgement and knowledge of God? Are you personally
prepared for company, dear lady? Do you have any meat to serve? Do you
have any mingled wine - experience as well as scriptural knowledge? Are
you willing to share the Bread of Life with others? How much godliness
is your testimony flavored with? Have you kept yourself from the company
of the ungodly? Since the day of your salvation, how many pillars have
you allowed God to hew out in your life? Has construction come to a halt
because of your disinterest? Ladies, if your home is not yet what God
would consider a holy dwelling, construction must go on! It takes time
and it hurts - but it is oh, so worth it! Allow the Lord to build the
pillars of purpose into your life, and then use you to extend Wisdom's
invitation to others.
God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2001 Pamela A. Iannello
