Proverbs 24:3-6 - Homilies By W. Clarkson

Building with wisdom

God is the Divine Builder. "He that built all things is God" ( Hebrews 3:4 ). Man, also, is a great builder. The whole scenery of the earth is not a little changed by the houses and temples, by the bridges and factories, by the manifold structures of every size and shape, that he has built. But these are not the most serious and important of his works. We look at—

I. THE HOUSES WE ARE BUILDING . Of these, three are the most deserving of attention.

1 . Our estate . The position and provision we secure for ourselves and our family; an honourable place we take among men, as neighbours and fellow citizens. Every man has to set this before him as a thing to be patiently pursued and ultimately attained. Some men think of little else or nothing else, therein making a fatal mistake; but it is the manifest duty as well as the clear interest of us all, to build up a house of this kind.

2 . Our character . This is "a house" of the first importance. We are here for this express purpose—that we may be daily and hourly building up a noble and estimable character; such a character as God will himself approve; such as man will admire, and will do well to copy; such as will command the commendation of our own conscience; such as will stand firm and strong against all the perils by which it is beset; such as will contain many virtues and graces in its various "chambers" ( Proverbs 24:4 ). "Precious and pleasant rubies," indeed, are these.

3 . Some cause of Christian usefulness . We should all be diligently occupied in raising or sustaining some "work" of holy usefulness, by which the seeds of truth may be scattered, hearts may be comforted, lives may be brightened, souls may be won to righteousness and wisdom, Christ may be honored, and his kingdom advanced.

II. THE INDISPENSABLE MATERIALS . The wisdom which is from above. "Through wisdom is a house built, and by understanding it is established" ( Proverbs 24:3 ). For wisdom includes or secures:

1 . The fear and therefore the favor of God . (See Proverbs 1:7 ; Proverbs 9:10 .)

2 . The various orders of strength which we need for good building ( Proverbs 24:5 ).

3 . The power of resistance and attack . By "wise counsel we make war" ( Proverbs 24:6 ). It is a very great matter, in all spheres of activity, to know when to make peace and when to show a fearless front of opposition. And when the latter course has to be taken, there is much true wisdom needed in order that our house, our stronghold, may not be carried and dismantled. We need courage, decision, watchfulness, energy, self-command, readiness to make terms at the right moment. To attain to the wisdom which will thus build up our house, we need to