Ver. 1.-(See homily on eh. xxiii. 17, 18.)-C. Vers. 3-6.-Bui7ding with wisdom. God is the Divine Builder. "He that built all things is God" (Heb. iii. 4). Mau, also, is a great builder. The whole scenery of the earth is not a little changed by the houses e.ud temples, by the bridges and factories, by the manifold structures of every size and shape, that he has built. But theso are not the most serious and important of his works. We look at-- I. THE HOUSES WE ARE BUILDING. Of these, three a.re the most deserving of atten- tion. 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 anu ultimately attained. Some men think of little else or nothing else, therein making a fa.ta! mis- take; but it is the manifest duty as well as the clear interest of us all, to build up a houso of this kind. 2. Our character. 'l.'his is "a house" of the first importance. \Ve are here for this express purpose-that we may be daily and hourly building up a. noblo and estimable character; such a che.racter 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 huly use- fulness, by which the seeds of truth may be scattered, hearts may be comforted, lives may be brightened, souls may be won to righteousness e.nu wisdom, Christ may be honoured, and his kingdom advanced. II. THI!: INDISPENSABLE MATERIALS. The wisdom which is from above. "Through wisdom is a house built, and by understanding it is established" (var. 3). ]'or wisdnm includes or secures: 1. The fear and therefore the favour of God. (Seo eh. i. 7; ix. 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 (Ps. cxxvii. 1); it ls to possess the protecting care which will shielu us from the storms that rnigh t other- wise overthrow us (Ps. cxxi.). 2. The various orders of strength which wo nee,! for good building (ver. 5). (1) It tends to physical health and strength. (2) It cuuducc:1 474 TllE PUOVERDS. [on. XXIV. 1--34.
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 euccessful labour. (3) It ministers to moral and spiritual strength; for it brings us into com- munion with God and to the study of his Word. 3. The power of i·esistance 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 ou: minds daily to receive his heavenly wisdom; (3) ask of him who "giveth to all men liberally, upbraiding not."-C.