Slices
Prepare
What is your favourite feature of God’s creation? Spend a moment thinking about it and praising God for it.
Bible passage
Interlude: where wisdom is found
28 There is a mine for silver
and a place where gold is refined.
2 Iron is taken from the earth,
and copper is smelted from ore.
3 Mortals put an end to the darkness;
they search out the farthest recesses
for ore in the blackest darkness.
4 Far from human dwellings they cut a shaft,
in places untouched by human feet;
far from other people they dangle and sway.
5 The earth, from which food comes,
is transformed below as by fire;
6 lapis lazuli comes from its rocks,
and its dust contains nuggets of gold.
7 No bird of prey knows that hidden path,
no falcon’s eye has seen it.
8 Proud beasts do not set foot on it,
and no lion prowls there.
9 People assault the flinty rock with their hands
and lay bare the roots of the mountains.
10 They tunnel through the rock;
their eyes see all its treasures.
11 They search the sources of the rivers
and bring hidden things to light.
12 But where can wisdom be found?
Where does understanding dwell?
13 No mortal comprehends its worth;
it cannot be found in the land of the living.
14 The deep says, ‘It is not in me’;
the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’
15 It cannot be bought with the finest gold,
nor can its price be weighed out in silver.
16 It cannot be bought with the gold of Ophir,
with precious onyx or lapis lazuli.
17 Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it,
nor can it be had for jewels of gold.
18 Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention;
the price of wisdom is beyond rubies.
19 The topaz of Cush cannot compare with it;
it cannot be bought with pure gold.
20 Where then does wisdom come from?
Where does understanding dwell?
21 It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing,
concealed even from the birds in the sky.
22 Destruction and Death say,
‘Only a rumour of it has reached our ears.’
23 God understands the way to it
and he alone knows where it dwells,
24 for he views the ends of the earth
and sees everything under the heavens.
25 When he established the force of the wind
and measured out the waters,
26 when he made a decree for the rain
and a path for the thunderstorm,
27 then he looked at wisdom and appraised it;
he confirmed it and tested it.
28 And he said to the human race,
‘The fear of the Lord – that is wisdom,
and to shun evil is understanding.’
Explore
In today’s wonderfully poetic chapter, Job begins by celebrating what is known as ‘human exceptionalism’ – mankind’s special, God-given abilities and mandate to explore and exploit the earth (vs 1–11). Only we, of all God’s creatures, can dig mines, refine gold, and smelt iron. Only we are investigators, seeking to know and understand more about this planet we are living on and its universe. Thousands of years on from when this was written, we are still discovering new wonders on the earth, beneath the sea and above the skies. And thousands of years on, we still haven’t managed to plumb the depths of wisdom.
You would think that as we grew in knowledge and understanding of the world, we would grow in wisdom at the same speed, but it often seems as though the very opposite is the case.
Job explains that this is because wisdom cannot be found in anything that is created, but only in the creator himself (vs 23–28). Fearing him – having an appropriate reverence for and honour of him – puts him in his rightful place and enables us to see clearly and understand rightly everything else under the sun.
Respond
Wisdom is ‘more precious than rubies’ (Proverbs 8:11) but is freely and generously given to all who ask for it (James 1:5). Ask the Lord to give you these riches in increasing measure.
Deeper Bible study
Lord, beyond my knowledge and understanding, grant me your wisdom and open my eyes to the wonders of your world. Thank you for your amazing grace.
The description of ancient mining techniques here (vs 1–11) is fascinating. Deep dark places are where resources such as iron and copper are found, as well as prized commodities like sapphires and gold. The picture of a solitary miner swinging from a fragile rope is powerful and evocative. Tunnelling through rock with primitive tools must have been exhausting, but it was driven by vision (v 10). There is symbolism here. Great riches are deposited in dark and difficult places. Through long years of darkness and pain I have found this to be true. Much later, God prophesied to King Cyrus that he would receive ‘treasures of darkness, riches stored in secret places’.1
There may be mines for gold, but where can wisdom be found? If wisdom means insight, then how can we achieve it, especially if passing through deep trouble like Job? The list of possible ways and means for attaining wisdom here is impressive. Human ingenuity, physical effort, engineering technology, huge wealth and even philosophical musings (v 22) all prove inadequate. Then, in a finale that takes our breath away, Job lays bare the solution. ‘The fear of the Lord – that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding’ (v 28).
The fear of God is not easily understood today. We prefer terms like ‘respect’ or ‘awe’. Insight or wisdom demand something more from us. ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom’,2 but that embryonic wisdom will cost us everything.3 Only surrender to God and his way for us in Christ will achieve that. As John Donne is reported to have prayed, ‘Give me, O Lord, a fear of which I may not be afraid’.4
Once we fear the Lord, we need fear nothing else. Commit your fears to him. Thank him for the freedom from anxiety that derives from fear of God.
1 Isa 45:3, TNIV 2 Ps 111:10 3 Prov 4:7 4 Mike Mason, The Gospel According to Job, Crossway Books, 1994, p291
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Numbers 24,25; Acts 21
Pray for Scripture Union
Scripture Union Easter holidays start again soon after a two-year break. Please pray for teams as they rebuild and for lots of children and young people to come and hear the good news of Jesus together.
