WISDOM'S HOUSE
WISDOM’S HOUSE
JT We read in Hebrews that every house is builded by some one. The house takes character from the one who builds it; thus, if a son builds a house, as was the case with Solomon, you would look for traits which mark his relationship. If a father builds a house he thinks of his children. If a husband builds a house he thinks of his wife; and so on. But if Wisdom builds a house there can be no addition to it or improvement. There can be no improvement on Wisdom’s work.
JP Does not the house display the wisdom of the builder?
JT We have to bear in mind that the Proverbs were spoken by Solomon, and therefore if he includes the thought of building he alludes to what he was well acquainted with, for he was a builder, we may say, par excellence; as a type he is the builder in Scripture.
Rem And is not building one of the greatest thoughts in Scripture?
JT Yes; and it is connected with Solomon. Stephen says, “Solomon built him a house”, Acts 7.
RSS When Wisdom built her house did she have in view her children?
JT I think so. If you have the scriptural thought of the builder clearly in your soul then you can take account of the house in an intelligent way. The builder is greater than what he builds, as we see in Hebrews 3. He who builds a house is greater than the house. Chapter 8 shows us the greatness of Wisdom. If you understand chapter 8 I think you can understand chapter 9.
JP In the light of chapter 8 one would expect great things in Wisdom’s [p. 241] house.
JT Wisdom would select the material and hence it would be in every way suitable.
RSS The only part of the construction which is mentioned is the pillars: “Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars”.
Ques What do the seven pillars suggest?
JT They denote the completeness and perfection of the structure.
FL And the stability of it. Nothing prevails against it. Everything of man is broken to pieces, but the pillars suggest the contrast to this; they suggest divine stability. Wisdom’s house endures. He who laid the foundations of the earth would not be likely to build a house which would come down quickly.
JT Revelation 3: 12 indicates something of what a “pillar” is. An overcomer is made a pillar.
FL Whatever the state of things, there are found overcomers.
JB Then the pillars are for stability, and in the end they will be what the people God can depend on.
JT “She hath hewn out her seven pillars” indicates that they would be required and looked for. The construction shows that she is not behind in any way, but has provided everything that will be required. The number seven indicates divine completeness.
Rem You cannot add anything to Wisdom’s house.
JT She has omitted nothing that might be required in the house.
Rem Perhaps you would enlarge a little on what you have in your mind as to that?
JT In devising the structure Wisdom has considered all that might be required.
Ques Why were there only two pillars in Solomon’s temple?
RSS “He reared up the pillars before [p. 242] the temple, one on the right hand, and the other on the left; and called the name of that on the right hand Jachin (the margin says ‘he shall establish’ ), and the name of that on the left Boaz”.
JT I think the two pillars are simply there as testimony; they had reference to an order of things established by the power of God; but seven denotes divine completeness.
FL In Timothy the assembly is said to be the pillar and base of the truth.
JT I think the point here is that there is nothing lacking. Wisdom has thought of everything.
JS Do you mean in connection with the foundation?
JT In the whole structure there is nothing lacking which might be expected in it.
HG There is nothing further said about the house.
JT Then Wisdom proceeds to speak of having slain her beasts.
Ques What is indicated in the thought of a house?
JT The earlier chapters have introduced Wisdom. She has been a preacher and a teacher, and finally she introduces herself according to her entire history, and then we are told that she has been building a house. Without giving us a full account of the house it simply tells us that she has hewn out her seven pillars, which I take to signify that she has omitted nothing. Then we are told about that which is supplied in the way of food and drink.
RSS Is the house an original thought of God?
JT I think so; God would dwell with men.
HP What is the object of Wisdom in building?
JT She would have an establishment here into which to invite men. The house is set up in the midst of a world full of need.
JP [p. 243] The house was built in the city, and the city is the habitable part of the earth. Then there is the invitation, “Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither”. Then we get what is available inside the house (verse 2). In the killing of the beasts and mingling of the wine, guests are-in view. What is the use of crying in the desert where there is no one to hear? She cries in “the highest places of the city”.
JT The earlier chapters do not contemplate the establishment. The epistle to the Romans does not contemplate the establishment. So by way of analogy Romans is I think, in a way, the unfolding of the gospel by Wisdom; but in the later epistles we get the establishment of it. In Proverbs 9: 3, Wisdom preaches where people are; in “the highest places of the city”; where the concourse is. Wisdom has her house where men are, so that she invites them in there.
FL The beginning of chapter 8 is like the epistle to the Romans. What we get in chapter 9 is analogous to Ephesians.
JP Chapter 8 is the entry of the city; chapter 9 is the high places of the city.
Rem They are not invited into anything in chapter 8, but only to get wisdom.
JHC What significance has the fact that Wisdom has builded her house?
JT One thought in Wisdom’s building is that it admits of no innovation. But it is Christ who builds the house. He is the true David, and has provided all the material for it. He has risen from the dead, and is glorified, and He sets the house up. The coming of the Holy Spirit put the material together, so that there was the establishment. Acts 2 gives us the establishment, but in another sense the building is going on in view of the kingdom, the millennial state [p. 244] of things.
JP Do you think that the passage at the end of Ephesians 2 endorses both sides? There is the “establishment” actually existing now, “builded together for an habitation of God in the Spirit”.
JT You get the double aspect of it there. The habitation of God by the Spirit is a real thing now; but there is also the “growing unto a holy temple in the Lord”.
Rem Christ was really the builder.
JT You have the idea of God dwelling with men already, and also looking on to the final state of things, where “the tabernacle of God is with men”. But we have to keep to the point that it is Wisdom’s house, typifying that in Christianity you have an establishment that cannot be improved upon.
AFM Is there any parallel between this scripture and Luke 14? In Luke 7, “Wisdom is justified of all her children”; and in chapter 14 we see the activity of the one servant pressing those in the city and highways and hedges to come into the house.
JT I think that raises a very important point. Luke 7 views Wisdom, but not as possessing a house; the Lord was in Simon’s house and the child of Wisdom was there; but in chapters 14 and 15 we get the house; and that answers to the present position; that is, the gospel goes out in connection with the house.
JP The great supper is in the house.
FL Our brother was pointing out that in Luke 14 there is one servant.
JT When the structure is reared up the maidens are sent out. Wisdom’s maidens are her attendants; it is not said her daughters, though doubtless they are her daughters, but they are not presented in that way in service; they are her maidens.
Ques Would you say there is a contrast between the Pharisee’s house and the house of Lydia?
JT The house of the Pharisee was a wholly [p. 245] uncongenial house to the Lord. He was there in grace. It was emblematic of the state of Israel. They were wholly unsympathetic with Christ, but Lydia was wholly sympathetic; it was a question with her as to whether she was worthy to receive the servants of Christ, not whether they were worthy to be received. Simon’s house really pictured the state of the nation; there was no sympathy with Christ, and the attitude of Simon was the attitude of the nation towards sinners; but the Lord did not mean things to continue that way. Wisdom was there and must have an establishment, and that is what Christianity involves. In the end of Luke 13 the Jewish house is left desolate, and in chapter 14 we get the house where the supper is. Luke presents the house of God to us not exactly as a dwelling-place, a place of privilege, but as that which meets and relieves need; and I think that is the point of view here. Wisdom has an establishment on the earth; it is not a final state, but a provisional state of things.
JS So that Wisdom provides bread and wine.
FL In Luke 15 they come to the house and the fatted calf is killed; here in verse 2 we get the “beasts” are killed and then the invitation goes out.
JT Luke 15 is in advance of chapter 14. The latter is the celebration of righteousness to which all are invited; the former is a celebration on account of the returning prodigal.
HP Was Wisdom’s house builded at Pentecost?
JT I think so, if you apply it to Christianity. All that Christ said and all that He did was in “Wisdom”, and that same Wisdom is subsequently active in building.
FL The Lord got the material ready and then the building work was at the day of Pentecost. In the case of David we get first the revelation of the house and then in Solomon the building of it.
JT [p. 246] We may connect David with the Lord’s ministry here; all the light as regards the house came out in Him, and David said he had it by the Spirit. He really received the pattern of the house just as Moses had received the pattern of the tabernacle. But with David there was more; he not only received the pattern, but he provided the material, and then Solomon built the house. We read that David received all this by the Spirit. 1 Chronicles 28: 12, 19.
Bearing that in mind as a type we see that all the light of the house was in Christ when He was on earth and was in view in His ministry; so when redemption was accomplished He goes on high, and in that position He is the true Solomon. Then the coming of the Spirit places all the material together, and hence you have the house.
JH I was going to ask the question, why has Wisdom builded her house?
JT We have to bear in mind that Solomon was speaking prophetically. The Old Testament writers did not understand what they wrote. The Spirit of Christ in them spoke prophetically, so that the things they wrote were for us; and you cannot understand the book of Proverbs if you do not understand Christianity, because it contemplates Christianity and the relation of saints to God as sons. Hence we are warranted in taking the building here to refer to the assembly. We have now a provisional state of things. I think it is of all-importance that we should distinguish in that way. The present state of things is not final.
Ques The house of God, then, is provisional at the present time?
JT Yes. Wisdom has taken account of all that is needed at the present time. If Wisdom builds you cannot add to nor detract from the building.
JP We are for ever supposing that things are [p. 247] not complete, and then we fancy we can furnish the things to make them complete, and we are exceedingly foolish.
RSS In the house that Wisdom has built we have come to perfection, and it cannot be improved upon. We find perfection in what Wisdom builds.
JT We were saying, that the present state of things is provisional, which I think we ought to understand a little. It is not a final state of things; the house, here has outside need in view; it is not a house for God.
JP Verse 4 makes that perfectly clear.
JT Then at the end of the chapter there is a rival house, so that we are perfectly justified in contemplating this chapter as in relation to the present state of things. If it is Wisdom’s house you can be sure that there will be nothing lacking there; every comfort will be found there.
Ques How would you arrive at it; you must discover it?
JT I think it is arrived at by those who know the gospel. It is arrived at by understanding Wisdom’s preaching and teaching and acquaintance with herself.
Rem You were saying that the house now is provisional. Explain that a little.
JT It is provisional in the sense that there you find what God has provided pending the establishment of things publicly, where the blessing of Abraham shall be fully enjoyed. Wisdom in its activities was seen in Christ in His ministry and work, and there were those who were drawn to Him, and they learned from Him. They became the ministers of Wisdom in that way, having learnt her ways. Peter in standing up to preach was well acquainted with the Lord’s ministry, and was competent to call attention to what was established. He was like one of Wisdom’s maidens. {248} [p. 248] I think the form of expression in verse 3 is worthy of our attention, “She hath sent forth her maidens: and she crieth”, so that it is really the Lord’s voice. There is always a danger of regarding the preacher apart from the One who has sent him.
JB Is Wisdom’s house applied only to the assembly, or is it wider?
JT I think we are perfectly justified in connecting this chapter with Christianity. It is a provisional house in view of the present state of things; the intent is that souls may be relieved and live. In the rival establishment we are told that “the dead are there, and her guests are in the depths of hell”. Whereas Wisdom says, “Whoso findeth me findeth life”.
RSS What is the character of that life? You said it is here and now.
JT I think everything now is provisional. Even as to life we have it in a provisional way; our actual state does not present it in its final aspect; and I believe everything in Christianity is provisional, even as to the Spirit, which is the earnest of the inheritance.
RSS What would you say constitutes a Christian’s life now in Wisdom’s house?
JT He is found in relation with the circle of Wisdom’s children. It is a wonderful thing that there is such a circle here. Take, for instance, a company of people like the woman in Luke 7. The Lord said of the centurion that He had not found such faith as his in Israel, but she went beyond the centurion; he rightly enough did not feel himself worthy that the Lord should go to his house, he recognised the Lord as a Man of authority, but he had no such appreciation of Him as she had. She asks no leave, and the secret of it was that she knew Christ; the more you know of the Lord the freer you are with Him. Wisdom involved that [p. 249] Christ had come near to men; man was His object. She, a child of Wisdom, sees Him in that light and appreciates Him. If you get a company of people like that what a circle it is! There is not a system today that justifies Christ. You do not justify Christ if you are in false relations. Wisdom’s children justify Christ by abandoning everything that is contrary to Christ; they make everything of Christ. The woman in Luke 7 appreciated the import of Christ’s presence here; it meant her forgiveness, and as forgiven much she loved much.
JP The whole point of Wisdom in this chapter is to get people into the house; it is her house and she wishes to get them near to herself.
JT When the full idea of Wisdom comes out her house is composed of her children, who are really the saints.
FL Will you explain what you mean by provisional?
JT The Lord has established a state of things which is suited to the present conditions; that is, it affords us comfort and all that we need by the way, but no one would say that we have now the fulness of the blessing of God.
AFM We cannot have the fulness of God’s blessing as long as there is need.
JT While need exists there is a certain element of distraction, and it is in every one of us, and God knows that; but in spite of that there is enough to show what the fulness will be. The Spirit is the earnest of the inheritance.
FL In the provision which God has set up, and Wisdom has established, everything is taken care of till the coming of the Lord.
JT So that we suffer no loss, and the Lord gives us special seasons.
FL The “bread and the wine” is that which is expressive of the sphere of joy which is [p. 250] established.
JT You can suffer no loss in Wisdom’s house; she has killed her beasts and furnished her table and mingled her wine; you are sure to have enough. As a provisional state of things it is perfect.
JP But you are not taken beyond moral conditions here. “If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself: but if thou scornest, thou alone shalt bear it”, verse 12. I thoroughly go with all that has been set forth as to the provisional character of things here, and I quote that verse as showing that you are not taken beyond the sphere of moral conditions.
Rem From verse 13 we have the foolish woman and her house described.
AFM What is provided at the present moment is in view of testimony as to what God will bring in by-and-by.
JT You are in every way taken care of. Your soul is fully taken care of, but in connection with it there is living testimony. Wisdom proves love, and love is connected with her establishment. Chapter 7 describes the foolish woman’s house as the way of death and hell; the dead are there, and her guests are in the depths of hell.
JB What about the assembly?
JT Wisdom’s house undoubtedly alludes to it in its present form, which has in view the conditions that exist in the world, hence provision is made for that condition. The assembly is also viewed in connection with the coming world. Elders and deacons will not be needed in the future, but they are wanted now. The testimony of God takes form in connection with need. Gifts, too, have in view the present state of things. The foolish woman’s house represents some rival to the house of God. I think she represents something religious. The great aim with her is not money, not earthly gain, as was the case in chapter 1, but the destruction of souls.
[p. 251] It is diabolical. There is no motive in it as far as you can judge, but that, so that the result is that in her house “the dead are there, and her guests are in the depths of hell”; she has nothing to offer except what she has stolen.
RSS What is Satan’s motive in regard to the destruction of souls?
JT I think it is just that his nature is such; he is essentially wicked, and on that account he is systematically opposed to God; it is his nature. This wicked woman is entirely formed of him. The effect of all that she does is death.