The following “Question“ was asked by a member of the congregation at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, and “Answered“ by their pastor, John MacArthur Jr. It was transcribed by Nelly Kaye of Chilliwack, British Columbia, Canada, from the tape, GC 1301-E, titled “Bible Questions and Answers Part 7.“  A copy of the tape can be obtained by writing, Word of Grace, P.O. Box 4000, Panorama City, CA 91412 or by dialing toll free 1-800-55-GRACE. ©1976. All Rights Reserved.

Question

What does Proverbs 24:3-4 mean? [Through wisdom is a house built; and by understanding it is established: And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.]

Answer

Well, it’s really not difficult to see what it means. Throughout this section of Proverbs you have the writer extolling the virtues of divine wisdom as over against human wisdom. Human wisdom is a disaster; leads you nowhere. Divine wisdom is a blessing that brings prosperity. 

And here he relates it to the home. “Through wisdom” Proverbs 24:3, “through wisdom is an house builded;” and he’s not talking about the wisdom of a carpenter and a mason. He’s talking about the wisdom of those in the house, who are building the household. “…and by understanding it is established; And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches.” 

The word wisdom and the word knowledge, and the word understanding, all refer to the same thing. They all refer to the revelation of God. If you study Psalm 119, you will find that the term wisdom, understanding, knowledge, statutes, law, all of those different terms are references to the very same thing which is the revelation of God. 

And he is simply saying, it is through obedience to God’s truth, that a home is rightly established. And it is through obedience to God’s knowledge that its rooms will be filled with the true riches, really precious, pleasant riches, not just fancy furniture and fancy decor, but the true riches. 

You really want to build a household? Much more important than building a house. You really want to make a home? Then fill it with the truth of God. That’s what he is saying. It’s a serious word. In Chapter 23:4, there is a contrast there, “Labour not to be rich; cease from your own wisdom.” Don’t work for the world’s riches based on your own ideas, work for the true, pleasant, precious riches that are based on God’s revelation and God’s truth. Very important difference. And that’s the meaning that he is after.

Added to Bible Bulletin Board's “MacArthur’s Questions and Answers“ by:

Tony Capoccia
Bible Bulletin Board
Box 119
Columbus, New Jersey, USA, 08022
Our websites: www.biblebb.com and www.gospelgems.com
Email: tony@biblebb.com
Online since 1986