Rachel Whisman

“The wisest of women builds her house but folly with her own hands tears it down.”  -Proverbs 14:1

Nothing is more frustrating than building something that doesn’t work. Disappoint trails closely behind the wreckage of a collapsed home. Here is my meditation, my questions, and my mulling over Proverbs 14:1.

“The Wisest of Women…

Not just any woman, but the “Wisest of women.” That title doesn’t describe everyone. It is a specific woman, who is set apart from the crowd. According to Webster’s Dictionary, wisdom is “marked by deep understanding, keen discernment, and a capacity for sound judgment.” If to be wise means to have a deep understanding of something, what are we supposed to be wise in? What do I prioritize in my life to gain a deep understanding? If I want to get a deep understanding of something that requires time, attention, focus, concentration, and a passion for something or someone. What am I spending my time on that is worthwhile? Isaiah 40:6 reminds me of what is worthwhile, “the grass withers and the flowers fades, but the Word of our God will stand forever.” 

At the same time, I think about Proverbs 3:7-8, “Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.” I want that. So the “wisest of women” esteems herself in the fear of the Lord and submits her limits under His authority because God cares for us. He also gives us a promise that it “will be healing to your flesh.” Not a “might” or “maybe” but a full-on “yes!” 

…builds her house…

Building takes time. You need supplies, a plan, and guidance. You have to go and get these supplies and then set time aside to accomplish the task at hand. This is not just a small task, but a grand one. She is building her house. A place where she will cook, eat, sleep, and have people over, etc. Also, a home is not a loner project but requires help. Help from who? You aren’t just going to trust anyone to step in and get to work. Also, it is not just anyone’s house, but it is her own. If it is your own home you’re not going to want to take shortcuts. You want the best of the best. You want something that is going to last, protect you from storms, be a refuge, and offer solace in times of despair. So, who is she asking for help? Is she even asking for help?  

It makes me stop and think, “What am I building my house with currently?” Our eternal house is our soul. So, what am I building my heart around? What tools am I utilizing that are durable, long-lasting, and efficient? Am I building with my strength and wisdom or am I leaning on the master carpenter who supplies all my needs? Who is shaping my soul? What music is tuning my heart to sing praises to? What am I scheduling in my calendar to mold my desires to feed on Christ? Am I trying to do it all on my own or am I abiding in Christ and His completed work? 

In addition, her character is revealed through this process. This doesn’t happen overnight, it takes a painstakingly long amount of time to build a house. There are always delays and unexpected expenses. Who is this woman going to be molded into as this happens? Will she fall into despair, and anxiety, or turn to hope, steadfastness, and faithfulness? It reminds me of Romans 5:3-5, “Suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” As well as James 1:2-3, “for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” Testing will come when building something, may I be found to be more like Christ through it. 

…but folly with her own hands tears it down.

Folly: lack of good sense or normal prudence and foresight. No one else is held responsible. She is the one who tore it down. There is no blame-shifting, “They made me do it.” She is held responsible. Also, it is not just an “oops, that was an accident”. Tearing takes two hands, which are hers and which she used to destroy her home. Fire, rain, hail, sleet, snow, nor a tornado made her home collapse, but what she did. What are my hands busy doing? Are they not busy at all, but idle? This makes me pray, “Lord keep me from myself. Help me to trust you when I do not understand. Keep my hands from tearing down, and as your word says in Psalm 90:17 ‘Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and establish the work of our hands upon us.” Yes, Lord, “establish the work of our hands.” Lord, you determine the work and may I respond in faithfulness and trust to whatever work you place before me because it has come from your good hands. Whether the work is caring for a sick family member, teaching in 2nd grade, studying for a test, forgiving someone who has wronged me, or holding a baby. Whatever work the Lord gives me to do, may I do it unto Him. Since He is our loving Father, He does not make mistakes in the work He gives us. He is good and Psalm 33:4 reminds us “All His works is done in faithfulness.” 

Bottom line: Secure in Christ, the woman’s actions determine how the house will stand. Yet, it is what the woman used to build her home that will prove true through the fire of what will last. If not, and I tear the house down, the grace that will meet me in the devastation to help build again will be in the form of Jesus Christ. So Lord, help me and keep me from myself, and remind me that I am in you, “Not my will, but yours be done,” Luke 22:42.