Wisdom

Day 10.

1 “Surely there is a mine for silver,
and a place for gold that they refine…

12 “But where shall wisdom be found?
And where is the place of understanding?
13 Man does not know its worth,
and it is not found in the land of the living.
14 The deep says, ‘It is not in me,’
and the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’
15 It cannot be bought for gold,
and silver cannot be weighed as its price…

20 “From where, then, does wisdom come?
And where is the place of understanding?
21 It is hidden from the eyes of all living
and concealed from the birds of the air.
22 Abaddon and Death say,
‘We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.’
23 “God understands the way to it,
and he knows its place…
28 And he said to man,
‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom,
and to turn away from evil is understanding.'” (ESV Job 28:1,12-15,20-23,28)

Job explains how most things of great value can be found on the earth. Man can figure out where they are found. He can mine them even when far underground and under streams. But wisdom cannot be found anywhere on the earth. In addition, it is more valuable than any of these other “findable” things, though most men “do not know its worth.” That is the said part.

Wisdom is in the hands of God. We find it when we begin to fear the Lord, that is, live life in light of the reality that there is a God and he is a God of justice and mercy. Specifically, Job is in search of wisdom as he seeks an answer to his suffering. Job’s friends, on the other hand, think they already know the answer so they do not seek it elsewhere.

Is wisdom something you value? When do you find yourself looking for it and where do you look?

Thank the Lord that wisdom resides with Him and He makes it known to us.

Chronological Reading Plan plus Psalms: Job 24-28, Ps 10