Job 28

This is one of my favorite chapters in the book of Job. Job has experienced so much sorrow, loss, darkness, but here…here he begins a conversation on wisdom, and light floods the scene. Job is about to expound on how to locate wisdom. He asks, “But where shall wisdom be found?” Knowing where to find something we need is great! But if I don’t understand what I’m looking for, how will I find it? So, first things first: what IS wisdom?

“And [God] said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to run away from evil is understanding.'”

Job 28:28

“To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth – Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance, to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.”

Proverbs 1:1-7

Consider Proverbs 1-4, the wise words of a father to his son, instructing him in the ways of wisdom, warning him of the dangers of ignoring wisdom, listing for him the benefits of a life lived in wisdom. The father identifies the source of all wisdom in chapter two, verse six: “For the LORD gives wisdom.”

So what are we looking for? What is the thing we will find with Job’s treasure map? We will find the fear of the LORD. We will find understanding, knowledge, insight, right judgments, guidance, learning, instruction. We will find true treasure. I could use some of this in my life right now. Wisdom herself warns in Proverbs two, that those who do not choose the fear of the LORD will reap their own harvest of foolishness. She says, “Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD…therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way, and have their fill of their own devices. For the simple are killed by their turning away, and the complacency of fools destroys them.”

No thank you very much. I would like to avoid destruction and mayhem and chaos as much as possible in my life. I would like to walk in wisdom and so “dwell secure…at ease, without dread of disaster.” This is the fresh air I’ve been longing to breathe. Wisdom. NOW, we can start the hunt with Job. Now that we know what we are actually looking for.

All of the secret treasures of the earth are turned over, dug up, sifted through, sorted, organized, documented, priced, sold, bought, consumed. People can dig deep into the earth’s crust to find precious metals and gemstones, ores for refining. People can search and find all manner of treasures in the earth. But wisdom? You can’t dig for that. It isn’t hidden in the forests. You can’t uproot a mountain, or tunnel deeply enough to find wisdom.

“Man puts his hand to the flinty rock and overturns mountains by the roots. He cuts out channels in the rocks, and his eye sees every precious thing. He dams up the streams so they do not trickle, and the thing that is hidden he brings out to light.

“But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?”

Job 28:9-12

Do we even really understand the value of wisdom? If we stumbled across it one night on a dark street, would we recognize it? Do we see the need in ourselves for it? Job says, “NO.” Man does not understand wisdom. “Man does not know its worth, and it is not found in the land of the living.”

Job imagines a conversation with the ocean – is wisdom found there? No. It isn’t found in the depths of the sea. He tries to place a sticker price on it. How much is wisdom worth? More than gold? Silver? Precious gems? They don’t even come close to the value of wisdom. He says simply, “Gold and glass can not equal it…the price of wisdom is above pearls.” Even death and the grave cannot tell where to find wisdom. They have heard about it, sure, but they have no helpful information for the seeker…just rumors, only whispers of this treasure.

“From where then does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding?”

“God understands the way to it, and he knows its place. For he looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.”

“And he said to man, ‘Behold the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.'”

Job 28:20, 23, 28

So there you have it. So simple, right? Fear the LORD, and you’ll be wise and will live in security and safety. Right? Nothing can touch the one who fears the LORD? Right? Am I right? Is this the message Job is preaching?

When I fear the LORD, wisdom becomes a part of my life. Understanding takes root and blooms. Decisions become clear because I am basing them on what I know about God from His Word, and that matters to me most. Bad choices are quickly identified and eliminated. But trials and struggles are not gone. Living in security in God’s kingdom doesn’t mean my investment portfolio won’t take a deep dip. It doesn’t mean the car won’t break down or be totaled in a random crash. It doesn’t mean I won’t have health issues. It doesn’t even mean my children won’t be sick or injured or wayward. It means I will safely navigate all of these rough waters with wisdom and understanding, secure in the knowledge of God, focused on Him, fearing Him in awe and wonder.

So. What now? We see the value of wisdom. We understand that it can’t be found by digging or hunting for it in the earth. We know now that gold can’t buy it. Wisdom is important and valuable and something we should desire. Yep. Check. We GET that. Only God knows where we can find it. He is the only source. So what now? How do I get it? I know I need it. I actually really want it! How do I GET it?

I really didn’t want to remember the James passage at this moment. Circumstances being what they are, and my attitude still needing a course correction, I wanted to avoid this passage. I was thinking maybe I could gather wisdom just by reading the Bible more (except for this part in James, of course), or by listening to more spiritual podcasts or sermons (none on the book of James, of course), all very helpful in learning and growing in knowledge and understanding. But, God brought James chapter one to mind. Immediately. As soon as I typed “How do I GET it?” James, chapter one popped into my head, and I had to look at it. And in looking at it, I also saw the verses above the part I was thinking of (context is key), and so I’m facing information on wisdom AND conviction about my stupid attitude. I was really trying to avoid the conviction part, because, to be completely transparent, I’M STILL MAD (see my last blog post), and I kind of wanted to go on being mad. But there it is – practical wisdom from James that must not be ignored. I can’t unsee it. James has the words of wisdom right there for me, for you too, maybe. His words smacked me across the face, and said, “Pay attention!” So here they are…

“Count it all joy, my brothers [and sisters], when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.”

“Know this, my beloved brothers [and sisters]: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”

James 1:2-5, 19-20

Joy. In the trials. Because of the trials. Tested faith. Steadfastness…not giving up. And yes, finally, a word on wisdom and where to find it. And so, I ask for wisdom, Lord. And I thank you for the conviction of sin that reminds me of Your love. You lead so gently. You point so tenderly to the wrong in me. It still hurts. The circumstances are still uncomfortable. But You are here with wisdom for me. And I am here, fearing You in wonder and in awe.