“Every wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands” (Proverbs 14:1).
Every wise woman buildeth her house— By her care, industry: diligence, and prudent management, she improves, and raises her family and estate (Psalm 127:1). He speaks of the woman, not exclusively of the man, of whom this is no less true, but because the women, especially in those times, were very industrious in managing their husbands’ estates. But the foolish plucketh it down with her hands — By her negligence, idleness, ill management, or want of economy, she lays it low, and wastes all that had been gotten by the care of others (Benson Commentary).
1. A woman who has no fear of God, who is wilful and wasteful, and indulges her ease, will as certainly ruin her family, as if she plucked her house down.
2. Here are grace and sin in their true colours. Those that despise God’s precepts and promises, despise God and all his power and mercy.
3. Pride grows from that root of bitterness which is in the heart. The root must be plucked up, or we cannot conquer this branch. The prudent words of wise men get them out of difficulties.
4. There can be no advantage without something which, though of little moment, will affright the indolent.
5. A conscientious witness will not dare to represent anything otherwise than according to his knowledge.
6. A scorner treats Divine things with contempt. He that feels his ignorance and unworthiness will search the Scriptures in a humble spirit.
7. We discover a wicked man if there is no savour of piety in his discourse.
8. We are travellers, whose concern is, not to spy out wonders, but to get to their journey’s end; to understand the rules we are to walk by, also the ends we are to walk toward. The bad man cheats himself, and goes on in his mistake.
9. Foolish and profane men consider sin a mere trifle, to be made light of rather than mourned over. Fools mock at the sin-offering; but those that make light of sin, make light of Christ.
10. We do not know what stings of conscience, or consuming passions, torment the prosperous sinner. Nor does the world know the peace of mind a serious Christian enjoys, even in poverty and sickness.
11. Sin ruins many great families; whilst righteousness often raises and strengthens even mean families.
12. The ways of carelessness, of worldliness, and of sensuality, seem right to those that walk in them; but self-deceivers prove self-destroyers. See the vanity of carnal mirth.
13. Of all sinners backsliders will have the most terror when they reflect on their own ways.
14. Eager readiness to believe what others say, has ever proved mischievous. The whole world was thus ruined at first. The man who is spiritually wise, depends on the Saviour alone for acceptance. He is watchful against the enemies of his salvation, by taking heed to God’s word.
15. Holy fear guards against every thing unholy.
16. An angry man is to be pitied as well as blamed; but the revengeful is more hateful. (Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary)
In Christ I am SHE {Saved. Hopeful. Empowered.}
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