This is my second observation while reading chapter 28 in the book of Job, there is a strong theme presented as a question — Where does man look for wisdom? Job 28:1-3 says “Surely there is a mine for silver, and a place for gold that they refine. Iron is taken out of the earth, and copper is smelted from the ore. Man puts an end to darkness and searches out to the farthest limit the ore in gloom and deep darkness.” This quote is a little obtuse when it comes to evidence, but as in most things, patience is a virtue. Continue reading, you will find this observation about exerting hard work to mine precious metals is right on target – we work hard to find things important to us.
Man digs into the darkest parts of the earth to mine silver, gold, iron, and copper…but he doesn’t find wisdom. Job 28:4 says “He opens shafts in a valley away from where anyone lives; they are forgotten by travelers; they hang in the air, far away from mankind; they swing to and fro”. When Job says they hang in the air and swing to and fro, Job is describing man descending with ropes and swinging back and forth. Man risks his life digging tunnels where nobody lives, in places people have forgotten about, but he doesn’t find wisdom. Job 28:5 says “As for the earth, out of it comes bread, but underneath it is turned up as by fire.” Grain and wheat are used to form Bread – the grains come up out of the earth, but when you go down into the earth deep enough there’s nothing but fire, referring to molten rock and lava.
Job 28:6 says “ Its stones are the place of sapphires, and it has dust of gold”. Man finds precious stones such as sapphires and gold …does not find wisdom. Now after 6 verses, we form a theme – many people expend very hard work (mining rock) to learn wisdom on their own (God’s irony makes me smile sometimes). Can it be done? Can we discover wisdom apart from God? So far, their effort has not yielded any discernable wisdom. Let us continue.
Job 28:7 says — “That path no bird of prey knows, and the falcon’s eye has not seen it”. Man searches out places no bird has ever flown or seen…but still no wisdom. Job 28:8 says — “The proud beasts have not trodden it; the lion has not passed over it.” Man searches out places that powerful animals (such as the lion) have never gone. Job 28:9-10 says “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.” Man breaks open large rocks and cuts tunnels into them. He finds all manner of precious thing that he believes is important … but he does not take the time to search for wisdom.
Job 28:11-12 says “They search the sources of the rivers and bring hidden things to light; But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell?” So, where is this place of understanding? Man creates dams to stop rivers so he can search out riverbeds. If there’s anything valuable hidden in the dark, he brings the valuables to light. He looks everywhere in pursuit of value, but he doesn’t find wisdom.
Job 28:13 says “No mortal comprehends its worth; it cannot be found in the land of the living.” Man doesn’t find wisdom, because he’s not looking for it, he’s not looking for it in the right place, and he misunderstands value of wisdom. He’d rather find riches and gold, but… Proverbs 3:15 [Wisdom] “is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her”. Man will look everywhere for wealth; but does not look for wisdom…even though wisdom is more valuable.
In my next two posts I want to answer three questions: (1) should we pursue wisdom? (2) How do we find the source of wisdom? and (3) Can wisdom be found outside of God?
I choose Jesus.