Proverbs 14:1-5

A major theme of Proverbs 14 is the contrast between the "wise" and the "foolish." This chapter begins with these words in verses 1-5.

Verse 1--The wise woman builds her house,
but the foolish tears it down with her own hands.

Verse 2--Those who walk uprightly fear the Lord,
but one who is devious in conduct despises him.

Verse 3--The talk of fools is a rod to their backs,
but the lips of the wise preserve them.

Verse 4--Where there are no oxen, there is no grain;
abundant crops come by the strength of the ox.

Verse 5--A faithful witness does not lie,
but a false witness breathes out lies.

What practical lessons for daily living can one glean from these passages?
1. A "house" is not a building in which a family lives, but the family itself. The wife and mother plays a vital role in the house. With kind words and loving care, she has the power to build up her house. But with harsh words and negligence of her husband and children, she can tear it down very quickly. The "wise" wife and mother builds up her house.
2. A person's conduct, way of life, lifestyle indicates whether that person fears the Lord or not. A profession of faith, a claim to be faithful, an assurance that one will do the right thing, means nothing without living close to God each day.
3. One's speech betrays whether that individual is wise or foolish. The fool's words destroy him, but the wise person's words keep him safe.
4. Human beings have to have help from faithful animals to accomplish their life's work. Oxen were indispensable in a world that had no farm machinery. The wise respected and cared for their oxen, because they depended on them to plant and grow their crops. See Exodus 22:1, 4; 23:4-5.
5. Lying is a terrible sin, which many take lightly. The well-known passage in Proverbs 6:16-19 lists seven sins which Yahweh hates, and two of them refer to lying.

John Willis