Pro 24:3-4 | KingComments | STEP | These verses form a unity. They are about the building of a house, its foundation and what to fill its rooms with. To build a good house, to do so on the right foundation and to furnish it with taste requires successively “wisdom”, “ understanding” and “knowledge”. At the same time, the use of these words indicates that it is about more than building a stone house, with rooms that are furnished with furniture. By “house”, then, we may think here primarily of a household living in that house. It takes “wisdom” to establish a family ( ). The happiness of a family depends more on the relationships between them than on the bricks and mortar. Only through the wisdom of God can there be good relationships among family members. A house is then established that is well built. “Understanding” is important for the foundation. This means that God’s Word is the foundation of the functioning of each family member. Understanding that each member of the family is different from every other member and what the differences consist of – such as gender, age, ability – allows each member to be himself or herself. There will be no need to pretend to be better or an exercise of compulsion to make someone do things our way. This also avoids tensions. The “knowledge” that there is of the capacity each has received from God will encourage the use of those capacities ( ). As a result, each can make his or her own valuable contribution and be encouraged in it. As a result, “the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches”. Precious and pleasant possessions include love and solidarity, safety and security, acceptance of who you are and being there for others. Children who grow up in an atmosphere of love and security grow up to be loving and peaceful individuals. We can also apply this to the local church, which we can also see as a family. Wise believers with understanding and knowledge will make every effort to have each believer take the place in the church that the Holy Spirit has assigned to him or her ( ).

‏ Proverbs 24:3-4

Building a House and Filling the Rooms

These verses form a unity. They are about the building of a house, its foundation and what to fill its rooms with. To build a good house, to do so on the right foundation and to furnish it with taste requires successively “wisdom”, “ understanding” and “knowledge”. At the same time, the use of these words indicates that it is about more than building a stone house, with rooms that are furnished with furniture.

By “house”, then, we may think here primarily of a household living in that house. It takes “wisdom” to establish a family (Pro 24:3). The happiness of a family depends more on the relationships between them than on the bricks and mortar. Only through the wisdom of God can there be good relationships among family members. A house is then established that is well built.

“Understanding” is important for the foundation. This means that God’s Word is the foundation of the functioning of each family member. Understanding that each member of the family is different from every other member and what the differences consist of – such as gender, age, ability – allows each member to be himself or herself. There will be no need to pretend to be better or an exercise of compulsion to make someone do things our way. This also avoids tensions.

The “knowledge” that there is of the capacity each has received from God will encourage the use of those capacities (Pro 24:4). As a result, each can make his or her own valuable contribution and be encouraged in it. As a result, “the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches”. Precious and pleasant possessions include love and solidarity, safety and security, acceptance of who you are and being there for others. Children who grow up in an atmosphere of love and security grow up to be loving and peaceful individuals.

We can also apply this to the local church, which we can also see as a family. Wise believers with understanding and knowledge will make every effort to have each believer take the place in the church that the Holy Spirit has assigned to him or her (1Cor 12:4).