A house well built
Opening Prayer
Master Builder, help me to partner with You in building a masterpiece.
Read Proverbs 24:1-22
For additional translations of the passage, use this link to Bible Gateway.
[1]Saying 20 Do not envy the wicked, do not desire their company; [2] for their hearts plot violence, and their lips talk about making trouble. [3]Saying 21 By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; [4] through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. [5]Saying 22 The wise prevail through great power, and those who have knowledge muster their strength. [6] Surely you need guidance to wage war, and victory is won through many advisers. [7]Saying 23 Wisdom is too high for fools; in the assembly at the gate they must not open their mouths. [8]Saying 24 Whoever plots evil will be known as a schemer. [9] The schemes of folly are sin, and people detest a mocker. [10]Saying 25 If you falter in a time of trouble, how small is your strength! [11] Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. [12] If you say, “But we knew nothing about this,” does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay everyone according to what they have done? [13]Saying 26 Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste. [14] Know also that wisdom is like honey for you: If you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. [15]Saying 27 Do not lurk like a thief near the house of the righteous, do not plunder their dwelling place; [16] for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes. [17]Saying 28 Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, [18] or the LORD will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them. [19]Saying 29 Do not fret because of evildoers or be envious of the wicked, [20] for the evildoer has no future hope, and the lamp of the wicked will be snuffed out. [21]Saying 30 Fear the LORD and the king, my son, and do not join with rebellious officials, [22] for those two will send sudden destruction on them, and who knows what calamities they can bring? Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
How does the writer use imagery?What an intriguing picture: a house, well-built and strong, with many rooms, full of beautiful, colorful, unusual things (3,4). What a metaphor for a life! Jesus said that if we build our lives on the rock (which is him) they will stand; if they are built on anything else, it will be like building on sand (Matt. 7:24–27; Luke 6:47–49). We build securely when we build by obeying his Word. He is the master builder and the secure foundation.Each “house” is unique, according to the gifting and purpose of that life. In this chapter, we see people planning a military campaign (5,6); seeking to rescue endangered lives (11); delighting in wisdom and devouring it like honey (13). They are furnishing their “houses” with their unique callings and giftings. Others are not building well: they are lying in wait to rob someone (15), plotting evil (8) and gloating over the misfortune of others (17). Their “rooms” will not be full of treasure, but garbage. Paul reminds us that “each one should build with care” (1 Cor. 3:10). What an intriguing picture: a house, well-built and strong, with many rooms, full of beautiful, colorful, unusual things (3,4). What a metaphor for a life! Jesus said that if we build our lives on the rock (which is him) they will stand; if they are built on anything else, it will be like building on sand (Matt. 7:24–27; Luke 6:47–49). We build securely when we build by obeying his Word. He is the master builder and the secure foundation.Each “house” is unique, according to the gifting and purpose of that life. In this chapter, we see people planning a military campaign (5,6); seeking to rescue endangered lives (11); delighting in wisdom and devouring it like honey (13). They are furnishing their “houses” with their unique callings and giftings. Others are not building well: they are lying in wait to rob someone (15), plotting evil (8) and gloating over the misfortune of others (17). Their “rooms” will not be full of treasure, but garbage. Paul reminds us that “each one should build with care” (1 Cor. 3:10).
Apply
Are you building for a quick, temporary show, or for work that is solid, beautiful and has lasting worth?
Closing prayer
Father, I want to build a house that glorifies You, where You would be comfortable to dwell.
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