“The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands“
Proverbs 14:1
In Hebrew ‘build up’ means to establish, to cause to continue, to be rebuilt, it also means in the context of this verse, as a wise woman she increases the wealth of her house. Not only by her fruitfulness, that is, by adding physically with children, but by her good housewife skills, prudent economy.
She looks well to the ways of her household; guiding the affairs of her house with discretion; keeping all things in good order, and bringing up her children in the fear and admonition of the Lord.
According to this verse, a wise woman adds value to her home. A wise woman is careful not to sabotage the peace within her home. This woman guards her home and family against intruders – she has to be ever vigilant for those who seem to mean well, but really do not.
She has to watch out for the spirit of jealousy and envy against her and her family. This woman is to be the watchman on the wall for her household.
It is said of the Proverbs 31 woman, “She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness – 31:27. However, on the other hand, it is a foolish one that plucks it down or destroys it with her hands; she does this by her idleness, laziness, and negligence to her household.
The man may provide the house, but it is the wise woman who builds it up and makes it a home. Be that type of woman!
