The first reading of verse 27 of Proverbs 24 can be a little puzzling:

Prepare your work outside;
get everything ready for yourself in the field,
and after that build your house.

Wouldn’t even someone living in a farming community want to build a place to live while they are working the field? Some commentaries on the subject suggest that some of the meaning is actually lost in translation, and that a better interpretation would be “build up your house.”

At any rate, the meaning seems to be more related to the preparation one is making for his future. the practical advice and custom of working to accumulate some measure of wealth before proposing marriage fits this very well. But the principle applies to just about anything in this life. One must do their due diligence to prepare for the future in all things, including having children. Humans are one of the few species that seem to forget about “making their nest” first.

Read or listen to audio of ESV version of this selection from this link.

/Bob’s boy

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some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please note: I did not design the reading plan that I am following in my blog.  All of my comments in this blog, however, are solely my responsibility.  When reading ANY commentary, you should ALWAYS refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word. Reading schedules, as well as a link to the site where you can get the reading plan that I’m currently following for yourself can be found on the “Bible Reading Schedules” page of my website at http://graceofourlord.com.  For questions and help, please see the “FAQ” and “Summaries” pages there.