Search for Wisdom Job 28

Job 28:27-28 "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."

We have so far in the conversations discussed whether or not the trials of Job are because of wickedness. The friends think so. Job declares his righteousness and rather expresses that it is God's business and He can do as he wishes.

Now we hear Job talking about the difficulty of finding wisdom and then ends with the above verses. After all the discussion, it all comes down to fearing God.

Also in this chapter we get a lesson in minerals and some geography.

We find that silver runs in a vein and that gold must be refined: v1 "Surely there is a vein for the silver, and a place for gold where they refine it."

Then there is iron and brass. v2 "Iron is taken out of the earth, and brass is molten out of the stone."

Job gives credit to the Lord as the one who controls everything.

Job even knew of the fire under the earth: v5 "As for the earth, out of it cometh bread; and under it is turned up as it were fire."

If you are looking for precious stones, you should know this: v6 "The stones of it are the place of sapphires: and it hath dust of gold."

Then the question "V12 "But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding? "

Verse 15 tells us that wisdom cannot be bought for no price can be put on it: V15 "It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof."

We know where to find all sorts of precious metals and jewels and they can be used to purchase many things but wisdom is not one of them. Job again asked the question:

v20 "Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding?"

Now Job tells us the place to find wisdom. It is with the one who measures the wind and the water of the sea. Sometimes you just got to go to the source to get the right answer.

v23 "God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof."

When we consider, as Job did, that God is the maker of all that is, He controls the wind and the waves, He tells the elements to stay in their boundaries. It is only the sensible thing to do to fear the One who made it all and can change it as He sees fit.

So we have the conclusion: v28 "And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding."

I Kings 4:20 "And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding exceeding much, and largeness of heart, even as the sand that is on the seashore."

Psalm 111:10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom; a good understanding have all they that do his commandments; his praise endureth forever."

Job speaks of wisdom and understanding.

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