Mining For Wisdom
"He alone knows where it [wisdom] dwells" Job 28:23.

Job 28 is so poetic that a writer like me simply should step aside and let
the Word of God speak for itself. Although Job 28 contains no specific
mission promises, its overall message encourages us that the wisdom found in
God's revelation cannot be found anywhere else. So let's be bold to proclaim
it.

Stanza 1, Job 28:1-14. Human Efforts Cannot Unearth Wisdom.
"There is a mine for silver
and a place where gold is refined.
Iron is taken from the earth,
and copper is smelted from ore.
Man puts an end to the darkness;
he searches the farthest recesses
for ore in the blackest darkness.
Far from where people dwell he cuts a shaft,
in places forgotten by the foot of man;
far from men he dangles and sways.
The earth, from which food comes
is transformed below as by fire;
sapphires come from its rocks,
and its dust contains nuggets of gold.
No bird of prey knows that hidden path,
no falcon's eye has seen it.
Proud beasts do not set foot on it,
and no lion prowls there.
Man's hand assaults the flinty rock
and lays bare the roots of the mountains.
He tunnels through the rock;
his eyes see all its treasures.
He searches the sources of the rivers
and brings hidden things to light.

"But where can wisdom be found?
Where does understanding dwell?
Man does not comprehend its worth;
it cannot be found in the land of the living.
The deep says, `It is not in me';
the sea says, `It is not with me.'"

Stanza 2, Job 28:15-22. Wisdom Is the Rarest Treasure
"It cannot be bought with the finest gold,
nor can its price be weighed in silver.
It cannot be bought with the gold of Ophir,
with precious onyx or sapphires.
Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it,
nor can it be had for jewels of gold.
Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention;
the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.
The topaz of Cush cannot compare with it;
it cannot be bought with pure gold.

"Where then does wisdom come from?
Where does understanding dwell?
It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing,
concealed even from the birds of the air.
Destruction and Death say,
`Only a rumor of it has reached our ears.'"

Stanza 3, Job 28:23-28. God Alone Grants Wisdom.
"God understands the way to it
and He alone knows where it dwells,
for He views the ends of the earth
and sees everything under the heavens.
When He established the force of the wind
and measured out the waters,
when He made a decree for the rain
and a path for the thunderstorm,
then He looked at wisdom and appraised it;
He confirmed it and tested it.
And He said to man,
`The fear of the Lord--that is wisdom,
and to shun evil is understanding.'"

1. Reflect on Stanza 1. Human ingenuity and technology can unearth the riches below the earth, but how well have we mastered the mining of wisdom? See Ps. 19:7-11.
2. Reflect on Stanza 2. How enduring is the value of the precious metals and jewels we strive for? See Matt. 13:44-46.
3. Reflect on Stanza 3. What wisdom does God, the sole source of wisdom, offer to the peoples of the earth? See Col. 1:24-2:3.