Monday, October 20, 2008

Building a House

We learn from Proverbs that God has a special plan for families. Proverbs 24:3-4 gives three tools for housebuilding:
By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; and by knowledge its rooms are filled with all kinds of costly and pleasant possessions.

When these three tools are applied, there is order in the house. Men are commanded to control their anger. Wise women build a house while foolish women tear it down with their own hands (14:1). Children are to be obedient to their parents instruction (4:1).

The three tools used for housebuilding just happen to be the same 3 tools that God used in creation (3:19-20):
The LORD by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens; by his knowledge the deep [springs] burst open and the dew condenses from the sky.

This suggests that the house is a microcosm of the creative order. So just how important is the family to God? Very important: it is a model of creation!

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