As new wife, I thought going a little deeper into Proverbs 14:1 wouldn't be a bad idea. Doing studies like these, I don't like to think I just know what a word is. I try and define key words and go deeper into everything. Doing that with 'joy' really did a lot for my heart and gave me a greater appreciation for that word. I thought I had known what it meant to be joyful... so anyways... here's the beginning part of my study. None of this is earth shattering. Just a good reminder for me.
"The wisest of women builds her house, but folly with her own hands tears it down." Proverbs 14:1
"By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established. By knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches." Proverbs 24:3-4
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight (synonym of understanding)." Proverbs 9:10
Wisdom builds a house. So how do you get wisdom? The fear of the LORD is the beginning of the wisdom. What is the fear of the LORD? The Fear of the LORD is reverance of God's majesty and a dread of His wrath. (Matthew Henry Commentary). [Side study - LORD: Yahweh (Hebrew): He who is. I am who I am.]
Insight/understanding establishes a house. According to the Matthew Henry Commentary this references the foundation on which the house is built. What am I understanding? The knowledge of the Holy One. Makes sense. Without a foundation of knowing who my God is, how can I fear Him? How can I stand in awe of Him?
"Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart." Psalm 119:34
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding." Proverbs 3:5
"Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding, but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly." Proverbs 14:29
Obedience flowing out of moral obligation doesn't work. All the things that will build my house - make me a better wife and mother - flow out of my understanding of who God is and my fear of my LORD. A gentle & quiet heart. Being fast to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger. Seflessness. Forgiveness and reconciliation. Taking up my cross.
O LORD, more love for Thee! More love for Thee! Marriage and relationships in general reveal my heart and how little I must know and fear Thee! More love for Thee is my prayer!
"Lord, Dissolve My Frozen Heart."
Lord, dissolve my frozen heart
By the beams of Love Divine;
This alone can warmth impart
To dissolve a heart like mine.
O that love, how vast it is!
Vast, it seems, though known in part;
Strange indeed, if love like this
Should not melt the frozen heart.
The love of Christ passes knowledge.
The Love of Christ eases fear.
The love of Christ hits a man’s heart;
It pierces him like a spear.
Savior, let thy love be felt,
Let it’s power be felt by me,
Then my frozen heart shall melt,
Melt in love, o Lord to thee.
"Lord, Dissolve My Frozen Heart."
Lord, dissolve my frozen heart
By the beams of Love Divine;
This alone can warmth impart
To dissolve a heart like mine.
O that love, how vast it is!
Vast, it seems, though known in part;
Strange indeed, if love like this
Should not melt the frozen heart.
The love of Christ passes knowledge.
The Love of Christ eases fear.
The love of Christ hits a man’s heart;
It pierces him like a spear.
Savior, let thy love be felt,
Let it’s power be felt by me,
Then my frozen heart shall melt,
Melt in love, o Lord to thee.
