Quote for the Day
“The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.”
Today's Prayer
This week pray for those traveling that they seek God. Ask God to reveal to them His wisdom. Pray for those at home, and ask God to provide His wisdom to them also as they await the return of family and loved ones.
Job chapter 28
Job chapter 28 (NIV)1 “There is a mine for silver and a place where gold is refined.2 Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore.3 Man puts an end to the darkness; he searches the farthest recesses for ore in the blackest darkness.4 Far from where people dwell he cuts a shaft, in places forgotten by the foot of man; far from men he dangles and sways.5 The earth, from which food comes, is transformed below as by fire;6 sapphires come from its rocks, and its dust contains nuggets of gold.7 No bird of prey knows that hidden path, no falcon’s eye has seen it.8 Proud beasts do not set foot on it, and no lion prowls there.9 Man’s hand assaults the flinty rock and lays bare the roots of the mountains.10 He tunnels through the rock; his eyes see all its treasures.11 He searches the sources of the rivers and brings hidden things to light.12 “But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell?13 Man does not comprehend its worth; it cannot be found in the land of the living.14 The deep says, ‘It is not in me’; the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’15 It cannot be bought with the finest gold, nor can its price be weighed in silver.16 It cannot be bought with the gold of Ophir, with precious onyx or sapphires.17 Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it, nor can it be had for jewels of gold.18 Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.19 The topaz of cannot compare with it; it cannot be bought with pure gold.20 “Where then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell?21 It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing, concealed even from the birds of the air.22 Destruction and Death say, ‘Only a rumor of it has reached our ears.’23 God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells,24 for he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.25 When he established the force of the wind and measured out the waters,26 when he made a decree for the rain and a path for the thunderstorm,27 then he looked at wisdom and appraised it; he confirmed it and tested it.28 And he said to man, ‘The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.’ “
Message
Job continues his discourse regarding the wicked that he started in chapter 28. As he first describes the ultimate fate of the evil man, he begins to remind his friends of the order of the universe. Yet, with man’s understanding, questions still remain. He has asked the ultimate question earlier as to God’s seeming forgetfulness to punish the evil, but the real pressing question remains: where are all the answers; where is wisdom itself? Just as the precious metals are hidden, so is wisdom, and where it is to be found is the question of the ages. As the earth is searched for metals so is the search for wisdom, and yet its value is so much greater. Finally in verse 20, Job shouts it out, “Where then does wisdom come from?”, and then Job provides the first clue, “God understands the way to it.” God provides the answer in verse 28, “The fear of the Lord – that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.”These are very important words as Job is suffering and looking for compassion. His friends have been useless, but fortunately he knows that he must search beyond the darkest mines and smelters and search for something far more precious than gold or jewels. He must look to God and God alone for the wisdom and answers he seeks. Job truly is wise just as God has described him in chapter one. How about us? Are we still searching for wisdom? Seek God, and you will find all the wisdom you need!