A House Built On Wisdom

September 30

Isaiah 56-57

Psalm 107:23-32

Proverbs 24:3-4

2 Thessalonians 1

A House Built On Wisdom

“By wisdom a house is built, and by discernment it is firmly established; and by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches.”  Proverbs 24:3-4  LSB

The passage above emphasizes the importance of building a life on wisdom, discernment and knowledge.  Using the metaphor of a house, Solomon explains that wisdom is the foundation, discernment is the framework, and knowledge is the furnishings.  Proverbs 9:10 gives us the foundation for building a life, “The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” LSB  Psalm 111:10 reiterates this, “The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of wisdom; good insight belongs to all who do His commandments, His praise stands forever.” LSB   True wisdom comes from understanding who God is and who we are in relation to Him.  Without that foundation any other teaching, insight, understanding or knowledge is pointless and worthless.  Throughout Proverbs, Solomon presents the contrast between the wise life and the foolish life.  The wise person is wise because they have built their foundation on God.  The fool tries to find wisdom while ignoring God but they do not understand that God is the source of wisdom and it cannot be found apart from Him. 

Discernment is the process of applying wisdom or putting it into practice.  Once the builder lays the foundation, he is able to begin to add walls, doors, windows, and a roof.  If the foundation is solid, the walls will be straight and the structure will be stable.  If our wisdom is from God, we are able to make good decisions because we can discern right from wrong, good from bad, and we have the Holy Spirit in our hearts leading and guiding us.  “But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern both good and evil.”  Hebrews 5:14 LSB   “I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes.”  Psalm 119:125 NIV   Finally, when the structure of our life is stable, we can add the furnishings and décor that make it pleasant and precious.  The riches it is speaking about are not just material possessions, but also spiritual blessings.  Love, joy, peace, contentment, faithfulness, goodness, etc. fill the house/life and give it meaning and purpose.   “Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all we ask or understand, according to the power that works within us.”  Ephesians 3:20 LSB   The house built on the foundation of God is blessed beyond measure.