The Family Legacy that Wisdom Builds

In Proverbs chapter nine we have another or a continued personification of wisdom. Wisdom here, still presented as a woman, is now a successful and prosperous woman who has prepared a feast for those who are simple and desire wisdom. What does this Wisdom say about building a Family Legacy? Many things. First, she builds a house, but house can have a double meaning. The seven pillars indicate an impressive building, but house can also refer to household such as Jacob’s house of 70 people in Genesis 46:27 that also included his servants. This woman of wisdom has many servant maidens like Jacob that she can send out to bring people to her feast. Second, besides having a house that can hold many guests and a household that can serve them, she also has the provision for a great feast. This provision indicates the productivity and labor necessary to afford it and the careful planning to put it all together. Finally this Wisdom is a picture of a selfless generosity that desires to share that with which she has been blessed with others. There is no selfishness or stinginess here. But notice what is being shared. While it is described as bread and wine these are again just figures of speech for wisdom and understanding. And notice with whom she is sharing it, the simple and foolish. Now simple and foolish does not mean stupid and immoral. It means ignorant and immature in this instance. There are simple and foolish people who are scornful and wicked but in this text these are contrasted with those in verses seven and eight. These simple and foolish people are willing to submit to instruction and correction.

Isn’t this house that Wisdom built a beautiful picture of a Family Legacy? A Family Legacy that prospers but doesn’t keep and consume its prosperity on itself but rather uses it for the benefit of others. Neither does it throw money and benefits at perceived problems but rather seeks to instruct the people who are helped so that they through their wisdom can help themselves and others. It is as the ancient proverb says. “Give a man a fish and you will feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you will feed him for a lifetime.”