It was my observation while considering the 28th chapter of Job, a question emerges, should we pursue wisdom? Let us examine this idea as an interesting source of irony. On the surface, the author of Job appears to be commending human ingenuity. But let us take a closer look at Job’s actual thoughts.
We face great danger when we explore the earth and the sky. We work incredibly hard to build tunnels and caves through solid rock and under mountains, and we bring light to the darkest, farthest places on earth. But to what gain? Money? Wealth? I believe these verses can actually be seen as a criticism of our efforts.
Human beings work tirelessly to find material wealth, but expend very little energy to gain spiritual wisdom—even though wisdom is far more valuable than any physical treasure we pursue. This should cause us to ask ourselves: Do we truly see value in the pursuit of wisdom?
We always pursue what we value. If we value wisdom, we will gladly invest our time and energy to gain the prize. Because we often see little immediate value in it, we do not pursue it.
I think there is a second reason why we do not search for wisdom, which is implied in Job 28:13. The reason is simple: wisdom cannot be found in the inert, physical resources of the land. There is no physical place in all the world where we can dig up wisdom. We may bring many hidden things to light (as implied in Job 28:11), but there is one thing we cannot uncover on our own, and that is Elohim’s wisdom. We will never find the source of Elohim’s wisdom in material wealth.
Consider how Jesus taught this concept. In Matthew 13, He used familiar earthly situations—like a rebellious son, an annoying neighbor, or an unjust judge—to teach heavenly wisdom. He placed earthly, physical stories alongside eternal realities to illustrate them. When the disciples asked Him in Matthew 13:10, “Why do you speak to them in parables?” Jesus replied:
“This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand… But blessed are your eyes, for they see, and your ears, for they hear. For truly, I say to you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.” (Matthew 13:13-17, NIV)
The core focus here is clear: Elohim’s wisdom is hidden from an impure heart. We cannot find it in the physical elements of the earth. True wisdom is only gained by getting close to Elohim and learning from the Holy Spirit.
The theologian J.I. Packer reminds us that we learn reverence for God through submission. Scripture tells us that “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 9:10). Packer writes:
“Not till we have become humble and teachable, standing in awe of God’s holiness and sovereignty… acknowledging our own littleness, distrusting our own thoughts, and willing to have our minds turned upside down, can divine wisdom become ours.” (This attitude is beautifully reflected in Nehemiah 1:5, Deuteronomy 7:21, and Jeremiah 20:11).
Job 28:16-19 reminds us that wisdom “cannot be bought with the gold of Ophir, with precious onyx or lapis lazuli. 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” (NIV).
The world often thinks that anything can be obtained or fixed if we just throw enough money at it. Clearly, this is untrue. Elohim’s wisdom and grace are the true glue that holds our lives and world together.
This leaves us with the ultimate question posed in Job 28:20-21: “From where, then, does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding? It is hidden from the eyes of all living and concealed from the birds of the air.”
Wisdom cannot be found apart from walking with God; it is even concealed from the dead. Job 28:22 says that Abaddon and Death can only say, “We have heard a rumor of it with our ears” (NIV). You cannot find ultimate wisdom in the land of the living, and you cannot dig it up in the land of the dead.
Instead, Job 28:23 gives us the final answer: “God understands the way to it, and he knows its place.” Only God knows where true wisdom resides.
In my next essay from the Book of Job, we will discuss exactly where wisdom is located. Then, we will conclude this series with the ultimate key: the fear of the Lord.
As for me, I choose Jesus.