In praise of wisdom: Job’s discourse on
wisdom
The wisdom poem of Job 28 consists of
three parts: (1) precious metals and stones are found in deepest mines (vv.
1-11); (2) wisdom is not found in mines, nor can it be purchased with precious
metals or stones (vv. 12-19); and (3) wisdom is found only in God and in the
fear of him (vv. 20-28).
Matthew Henry states,
I.
Concerning worldly wealth, how industriously that is sought for and pursued by
the children of men, what pains they take, what contrivances they have, and
what hazards they run to get it (v. 1-11). II. Concerning wisdom (v. 12). In general, the price of it is very great; it is of
inestimable value (v. 15-19). The place of it is very secret (v. 14, v. 20, v. 22). In particular, there is a wisdom which is hidden in
God (v. 23-27) and there is a wisdom which is revealed to the
children of men (v. 28). Our enquiries into the former must be checked, into
the latter quickened, for that is it which is our concern.[1]
Precious metals and stones are found in
deepest mines
The verses (Job. 28:1-4),
describes man’s heart after the search of hidden treasures of the earth.
Surely there is a vein for the
silver, and a place for gold where they fine it. Iron is taken out of the
earth, and brass is molten out of the stone. He setteth an end to darkness, and
searcheth out all perfection: the stones of darkness, and the shadow of death. The
flood breaketh out from the inhabitant; even the waters forgotten of the foot:
they are dried up, they are gone away from men; (Job. 28:1-4).
God knows what is in
the deepest caverns because the depths of riches both of wisdom and knowledge
of God are unsearchable, and His judgments and ways are untraceable. The verses
below speaks about the hidden nature of earth’s treasure.
As for the earth, out of it cometh bread: and under it is turned up as it were fire. The stones of it are the place of sapphires: and it hath dust of gold. There is a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture's eye hath not seen: The lion's whelps have not trodden it, nor the fierce lion passed by it. He putteth forth his hand upon the rock; he overturneth the mountains by the roots. He cutteth out rivers among the rocks; and his eye seeth every precious thing. He bindeth the floods from overflowing; and the thing that is hid bringeth he forth to light; (Job. 28:5-11).
Wisdom is not
found in mines, nor can it be purchased with precious metals or stones
The verses below
explains the value and the real source of wisdom, and points to the rarity of
true wisdom in the land of the living.
But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding? Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living. The depth saith, It is not in me: and the sea saith, It is not with me. It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof. It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire. The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold. No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies. The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold; (Job. 28:12-19).
Wisdom is
found only in God and in the fear of him
The
verses below explains the summary and the source of wisdom. The Eternal God who
masters the natural world has the riches of wisdom at His disposal in
accordance with His tremendous grace. He has demonstrated His own wisdom and
power through the creation and the design of the natural world.
Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding? Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living and kept close from the fowls of the air. Destruction and death say, We have heard the fame thereof with our ears. God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof. For he looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole heaven; To make the weight for the winds; and he weigheth the waters by measure. When he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder: Then did he see it, and declare it; he prepared it, yea, and searched it out. And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding; (Job. 28:20-28).
“He
seems to say that, though men should explore the deep places of the earth with
all the diligence of miners seeking gold and silver, though they should exert
all their mental force, as miners use all their muscular vigor, and though they
should employ all the machinery within their reach, as men do who pierce
through the rocks in search of precious treasure, yet it is not within the
range of human labor and skill to attain unto wisdom. That can only be found by
another and a higher method; it must come to us by revelation from God, for we
cannot find it by our own efforts” (Spurgeon)[2].
Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is
understanding: Job
concluded this great speech by coming back to the touchstone of revelation. Since true wisdom comes from God, it is
found by being in right relation to Him (the fear of the Lord),
and it is shown by a life that does depart from evil.[3]
[1] Charles Spurgeon - Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Spurgeon
Charles Haddon Spurgeon (19 June 1834 – 31 January 1892) was an English Particular Baptist preacher. Spurgeon remains highly influential among Christians of various [which?] denominations, among whom he is known as the "Prince of Preachers". He was a strong figure in the Reformed Baptist tradition, defending the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith, and opposing the liberal and …
[2] Charles Spurgeon - Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Spurgeon
Charles Haddon Spurgeon (19 June 1834 – 31 January 1892) was an English Particular Baptist preacher. Spurgeon remains highly influential among Christians of various [which?] denominations, among whom he is known as the "Prince of Preachers". He was a strong figure in the Reformed Baptist tradition, defending the 1689 London Baptist Confession of Faith, and opposing the liberal and …
[3]
Enduring Word Bible Commentary Job Chapter 28
https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/job-28
2015-12-22 ·
Enduring Word Bible Commentary Job Chapter 28 Job
28 – Job’s Discourse on Wisdom A. Man and the search for
material treasure. 1. (1-4) Man seeks after treasure in the earth.
