There is a section in the book of Job in which we see Job moving away from arguing with his friends. We might falsely over summarize the book and think that the middle is just Job and his friends arguing with each other. But the discourses with each other end in chapter 27. Each of the friends try to teach Job and Job responds with a rebuttal and offers further challenges. But in chapters 28-31 we see Job break into long discourses in which no one is arguing with Job or responding to him. This is an important section that can be quickly passed over in the middle of the book. In these chapters Job is going to proclaim what is necessary for enduring significant trials.
The Way We Pursue (Job 28:1-11)
Job begins by contemplating human ingenuity. We are able to mine for silver, gold, iron, and copper (Job 28:1-2). We dig a shaft and shine a light into the darkest regions of the earth (Job 28:3-4). We dig into areas where no animal has ever walked (Job 28:5-8). We know how to pull apart rocks and find precious stones (Job 28:9-10). We know how to dam up the waters so that we can dig out what is under the riverbeds (Job 28:11). Some time ago there was an explosion of mining shows on television. It is fascinating to see all the different ways we are able to mine for these expensive metals. We can dig on the land and we can dig in the ocean. We can even dig through the ice and into the sides of mountains. We are able to dredge through the riverbeds. The point that Job is observing is that if it can be found, we will find it. If it can be dug up, then we will dig it up. We will do everything we can to pursue precious metals. I don’t know if you have seen people spend their time with metal detectors, roaming parks and beaches, trying to uncover the next buried treasure.
Elusive Wisdom (Job 28:12-22)
But this leads Job to think about the most precious treasure of all: wisdom. Look at verse 12. Where can wisdom be found? Where is understanding located? We do not understand how valuable wisdom is and we do not know where to look for it (Job 28:13). Wisdom is not found in the depths of the oceans (Job 28:14). Wisdom cannot be purchased (Job 28:15). You cannot go to the store and buy a pound of wisdom. The value of wisdom cannot be compared to gold or valuable stones (Job 28:16-19). Wisdom is so much more valuable that nothing on earth can equal its price. Wisdom is the most valuable asset you can have. But where do you go to get wisdom (Job 28:20)? Where does wisdom come from? Where is wisdom located? Even the depths of Abaddon and Death do not possess it.
Here is what I want us to think about for a moment. Job is noting that humans do not possess wisdom. Job has experienced this truth with his three friends. Humans are not the source of wisdom. Now humanity likes to think that they are the source of wisdom. We like to think that we are able to generate wisdom from within ourselves and dispense it to others. Please think about some of the worldly wisdom and human wisdom that we are given today.
We are told that the goal of life is to leave the world a better place. We are to leave the world better than how we found it. Why? Why is this wisdom? Why is this the goal of life? Why would this be our life purpose and what is the point for me? When I was a kid, a song was put out that took the world by storm. “We are the world.” In the song we were told to make the world a better place so let’s start giving. But why? Why should we start giving? Why would be make the world better? What is the motivation? There is no answer for why. Human wisdom and human answers are empty answers.
We are told to be nice. Why? Why should I be nice? Why can’t I just be how I feel? Why not just do what I want to do? Why not just be my natural self and have no regard for the feelings and impact on others? Sometimes we are told to improve the human condition. Why should we do this and what does this look like? Maybe we will then listen to existentialism. Human wisdom then lands on that there is no purpose for being here. But this immediately feels empty. Am I on this rock for no reason and with no purpose? But human wisdom says that this is the answer for life.
Then someone came along and said that the one who dies with the most toys wins. If you get the most stuff, then you have won at life. How do you know that this is true? Further, I am still dead so how did getting the most toys help that? Why would getting the most toys be my purpose? Then we are told that we are here to be happy. Your purpose is to be your true self and to be happy. But this is an empty purpose because there is so much sadness and pain in life. No one can walk through life and not experience pain and sadness. All of us will experience loss. All of us will experience emptiness. Are we supposed to pretend that these days do not happen?
Science says that we are here by chance or by accident. Everything just kind of forms out of gases and here we are. But this also is complete emptiness because this does mean that there is no purpose, no meaning, and you are no different than dirt. So where does wisdom come from? Where can wisdom be found? Human reason cannot give you wisdom.
The Source of Wisdom (Job 28:23-28)
So where is wisdom? Look at verse 23. God alone knows where wisdom is and the way to it. God alone possesses wisdom because he is able to look throughout the whole earth and see everything on earth (Job 28:24). God decided how hard the winds would blow and how much rain will fall (Job 28:25). God is the one who puts the limits for the rain and made the path for the lightning bolt (Job 28:26). God looked at wisdom and evaluated it, established it, and examined it. Think about this picture. Here is God and he has wisdom. He knows what wisdom is. He knows where wisdom is. He knows considered, evaluated, established, and confirmed it. Now it is ready for us to experience. So how do we get wisdom? Look at verse 28.
God then tells the human race the answer. The fear of the Lord is wisdom and turning away from evil is understanding. Please hear the message. The fear of the Lord is wisdom. Wisdom is found in God, not you. Wisdom is found in God, not other people. Wisdom is found in God, not in other human writings or books. Now we need to think about the implications of this truth. The fear of the Lord is wisdom. This means that the meaning of life is not something we invent or manufacture. It means our purpose in life is not accidental. It means our value and worth are not earned or based on our achievements. It means our identity is not self-created or found within ourselves.
Understanding Wisdom
This conclusion leads us to some very important applications for life that we must learn. These are important applications for all of life. These are important applications for when we are suffering and do not understand what God is doing, like Job was experiencing. Wisdom is not knowledge. Many people have knowledge but not wisdom. Wisdom is knowing how to use the knowledge you have. Wisdom is applying knowledge to the circumstances of your life so that you are able to make the right decisions and know how to carry out those decisions. What Job is proclaiming is that to be able to have wisdom, you must have God. You cannot have wisdom without God. James will tell us that if we lack wisdom that we need to ask God (cf. James 1:5). James does not say to read a book, look within yourself, or read a book. Wisdom only comes from God.
The anchor for life is the fear of the Lord. Please understand that fearing the Lord means obeying the Lord. The word “fear” is used to help underscore our motivation. We are in such awe and reverence for who God is that we will obey him. We are in such fear of what it means to disobey the Lord that we will obey him. Fear means we understand the seriousness and significance of the situation that we will carefully follow what we have been told to do. On one of our vacations we went to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier monument. You are told to be respectful. You are told to be quiet. You are told to show reverence. It is a fearful place to be. It is a fearful place because you will be chastised and escorted out if you break the rules. But it is also a fearful place because of the importance of what this is and what it represents. The fear of the Lord is wisdom. We understand the importance of God and we understand the consequences for disobeying God.
Increasing in wisdom is through obedience to the Lord, not through human investigation into yourself or into the unknown. Wisdom is in drawing closer to God. The wisest and smartest thing to do in life is to obey the Lord and turn from evil. The fear of the Lord is your anchor for life. Your anchor for life is not your feelings. Remember, Job says that God feels far from him and he cannot find him. But his anchor is his obedience to God.
Now here is what I want us to think about. If you are not fearing the Lord, then what is your anchor? If you are not seeking the glory of the Lord, then what is your hope? If you are not obeying the Lord, then what is your reason for your suffering? The world does not have the answer. Books do not have the reason. Humans do not possess the help. You do not have the answers within yourself. Fearing the Lord is the only answer and the only help when suffering. What is your answer if that is not your answer? The wisest thing we can do when life falls apart is to seek the Lord, obey him, and turn from evil. Tell me a better answer. Tell me another answer that has a real purpose and true meaning. There are no rival answers. Everything else is meaningless and empty. Comfort does not fix suffering. Alcohol won’t forget it. Sex won’t solve it. Validation will not remove it. All of humanity’s answers are empty. The wisdom you need for life is to fear the Lord. The wisdom you need when suffering is turn from evil and turn to the Lord. This means that the dumbest thing we can do in life and most foolish thing we can do when suffering is to sin and disobey the Lord. Suffering is to move us to seek wisdom. So where is the wisdom you need for life? Let us end with the words of the apostle Paul:
And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:30-31 ESV)
The search for wisdom begins by looking to Jesus who is the wisdom from God. God’s wisdom was made visible in Christ Jesus. You need wisdom. Seek wisdom. Seek Jesus and obey him.