DreamHouse Phase 2: Construct the Shell

Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: and by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches. Proverbs 24:3-4

According to these verses, there are three distinct phases of homebuilding:

• Phase 1 - Obtain raw materials
• Phase 2 - Construct the shell
• Phase 3 - Furnish the chambers 

 Phase 2 - Construct the Shell
... and by understanding it is established... 

• UNDERSTANDING - the act of understanding (skill), the faculty of understanding (intelligence, insight), the object of knowledge
• ESTABLISHED - set up, prepared, fixed, fastened, made firm, made stable

Phase 2 is primarily concerned with transforming the raw materials into a shell that will provide shelter, shade, and protection.

Here's an important distinction: understanding is not the same as knowledge.  Knowledge is something that resides in the gray matter in our brain; understanding is what happens when we call up that knowledge from our brain and act upon it.  For example, if knowledge is the blueprint for the house, then understanding would be the act of constructing the house according to the blueprint.

Through understanding (acting upon what we know of God's blueprint for the family), the home (family) is set up, prepared, fixed, fastened, made firm, made stable.

How important is it to follow a good blueprint when you're building a house? It's vitally important. It's the difference between a sturdy, functional, beautiful house and a tree house!

So don't just pick up a hammer and start nailing boards together! That may be a great way to build a tree house, but it's not a great way to build your dream house.

If you're serious about building a dream house, you ought to study God's blueprints for your family the way a master carpenter studies the blueprints for a home. Then demonstrate your understanding by following the blueprints.