The Three Little Pigs - Jewell Utt
By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. Proverbs 24:3-4 NIV
As a child, one of my favorite fables included The Three Little Pigs. I loved hearing the dramatic adaptation on the record player. The intensity of the music, while the pigs squealed, and the wolf huffed and puffed, steeped my excitement.
The familiar story begins with three pigs, each building themselves a home. The first two pigs wanted to play, not work, and quickly built homes of straw and sticks. But the third little pig built his home with wisdom. He knew a hungry wolf prowled the woods. So he established his house with bricks, to withstand bad weather and big, bad wolves.
The third pig considered the big picture. Rather than build a haphazard home, thinking only of today, he ignored the taunts of his playful brothers, and set about building a home to secure their safety. When the wolf came and blew down the first two homes, the little pigs ran for refuge to their brother’s stable home. The wise pig then filled his house with the rare and beautiful treasures of love and family, understanding and wisdom.
As I consider the story, I see many parallels to our lives. (Artistic License) The wolf symbolizes our enemies or things that tempt to corrupt us in this world. The first two pigs represent us, the children of God, when we fail to see the larger scale dangers. The wise older brother corresponds to Christ. Securing our future, He has prepared a home for us in Heaven. But He offers us a place of refuge for today. When we run to Him, He shelters us and keeps us safe.
Building our lives with wisdom, calls for seeing the big picture over the small circumstances. Prudence, diligence, and thoughtful relationships establish rare and beautiful treasures. These create the inward qualities that are lasting and pleasing to God.
By wisdom a house is built: Forethought and planning
Through understanding it is established: Setting it up to address specific needs
Through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures – Knowing what to cherish and what to leave behind
The qualities of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding come from learning Truth. Saturating yourself with the Word of God through prayer, meditation, and Bible study will establish a foundation to withstand the wolves in your life.
