God’s Saving Word: Wisdom
Introduction
Job 28:1-28: The book of Job is the story of a good and righteous man who was afflicted with a repulsive disease, lost family members and property, and questioned God about human suffering. God’s response was a poetic picture of God’s divine power and wisdom, and Job humbly acknowledged God as wise and great. Today’s reading, an interlude in the story, employs the imagery of miners digging for silver, gold, and precious stones, and affirms that wisdom cannot be bought with these elements. Rather, true wisdom is found by having reverence for the Lord, a theme that will be repeated in tomorrow’s reading.
Scripture Reading
In Praise of Wisdom[a]
28 There are mines where silver is dug;
There are places where gold is refined.
2 We dig iron out of the ground
And melt copper out of the stones.
3 Miners explore the deepest darkness.
They search the depths of the earth
And dig for rocks in the darkness.
4 Far from where anyone lives
Or human feet ever travel,
They dig the shafts of mines.
There they work in loneliness,
Clinging to ropes in the pits.
5 Food grows out of the earth,
But underneath the same earth
All is torn up and crushed.
6 The stones of the earth contain sapphires,
And its dust contains gold.
7 No hawk sees the roads to the mines,
And no vulture ever flies over them.
8 No lion or other fierce beast
Ever travels those lonely roads.
9 Miners dig the hardest rocks,
Dig mountains away at their base.
10 As they tunnel through the rocks,
They discover precious stones.
11 They dig to the sources of[b] rivers
And bring to light what is hidden.
12 But where can wisdom be found?
Where can we learn to understand?
13 Wisdom is not to be found among mortals;
No one knows its true value.
14 The depths of the oceans and seas
Say that wisdom is not found there.
15 It cannot be bought with silver or gold.
16 The finest gold and jewels
Cannot equal its value.
17 It is worth more than gold,
Than a gold vase or finest glass.
18 The value of wisdom is more
Than coral or crystal or rubies.
19 The finest topaz and the purest gold
Cannot compare with the value of wisdom.
20 Where, then, is the source of wisdom?
Where can we learn to understand?
21 No living creature can see it,
Not even a bird in flight.
22 Even death and destruction
Admit they have heard only rumors.
23 God alone knows the way,
Knows the place where wisdom is found,
24 Because he sees the ends of the earth,
Sees everything under the sky.
25 When God gave the wind its power
And determined the size of the sea;
26 When God decided where the rain would fall,
And the path that the thunderclouds travel;
27 It was then he saw wisdom and tested its worth—
He gave it his approval.
28 God said to us humans,
“To be wise, you must have reverence for the Lord.
To understand, you must turn from evil.”
Today’s Key Verse: Job 28:28a
God said to us humans, “To be wise, you must have reverence for the Lord.”
Reflect
Verses 12 and 20 ask about the source of wisdom, a question that is answered in verses 23-28. What does today’s reading teach you about God? In what ways do you demonstrate your reverence for God?
Pray
Sovereign God, you alone know where wisdom is found, and you alone see the ends of the earth and everything under the sky. Reverence for you is the way to become wise. Guide me each day as I seek to grow in knowledge of you and learn from your teachings. In your holy name, I humbly pray. Amen.
Tomorrow’s Reading
Proverbs 1:1-33: The value of proverbs is described.
