---

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" (Ver. 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" (Ver. 3). For wisdom includes or secures:

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

(1) To walk and to work in the fear of God is to do all things uprightly and honourably, truly and faithfully, heartily and thoroughly; and this is the way to build up any one of these three "houses."

(2) To enjoy the favour of God is to have behind us that energizing and sustaining power without which all labour is vain (Psalm 127:1); it is to possess the protecting care which will shield us from the storms that might otherwise overthrow us (Psalm 121.).

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

(1) It tends to physical health and strength.

(2) It conduces to mental strength and the increase of knowledge; it supplies us with good judgment, with tact, with prudence, with patience, with the very implements of successful labour.

(3) It ministers to moral and spiritual strength; for it brings us into communion with God and to the study of his Word.

3. The power of resistance and attack. By "wise counsel we make war" (Ver. 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

(1) yield our hearts fully to the only wise God and Saviour;

(2) open our minds daily to receive his heavenly wisdom;

(3) ask of him who "giveth to all men liberally, upbraiding not." - C.

---

---

KJV: Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established:

WEB: Through wisdom a house is built; by understanding it is established;