The secret of wisdom
Text Job 28 Time 08/06/03 Place Childs Hill Baptist Church
We come this week to Job 28. As you can see, it is a little bit different to other chapters we’ve looked at. There has been some controversy over who wrote it – whether it was one of the friends, or Job, or perhaps the author of the book. Two things not in dispute, however, are that this is a fine poem, a masterpiece, complete in itself, and that it is designed to help us step back from the debate a little and refocus. It’s worth noting that the phrase at the very end - The fear of the Lord - that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding - takes us all the way back to the very beginning - In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. In one sense Chapter 28 brings us to the end of the first half of the book.
So let’s consider it together. We all stand in need of wisdom. We may not be suffering like Job was and wondering why we are but there are many other demands for wisdom. What should I do with my life? How should I bring up my children? What should I believe? How should I live? Here is a chapter that tells us where to find wisdom for all this.
1. Consider some of man’s great discoveries and acquisitions
We come this week to Job 28. As you can see, it is a little bit different to other chapters we’ve looked at. There has been some controversy over who wrote it – whether it was one of the friends, or Job, or perhaps the author of the book. Two things not in dispute, however, are that this is a fine poem, a masterpiece, complete in itself, and that it is designed to help us step back from the debate a little and refocus. It’s worth noting that the phrase at the very end - The fear of the Lord - that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding - takes us all the way back to the very beginning - In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil. In one sense Chapter 28 brings us to the end of the first half of the book.
So let’s consider it together. We all stand in need of wisdom. We may not be suffering like Job was and wondering why we are but there are many other demands for wisdom. What should I do with my life? How should I bring up my children? What should I believe? How should I live? Here is a chapter that tells us where to find wisdom for all this.
1. Consider some of man’s great discoveries and acquisitions
The chapter begins by talking about the mining and refining of metals. Four metals are mentioned – silver, gold, iron and copper. In each case the metal is usually obtained by mining it from the ground. The ore is then refined by applying intense heat in a smelting and refining process, producing a beautiful and useful material for use in all sorts of decorative and practical ways. 1, 2 There is a mine for silver and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore.
This is something man has been doing for some 6000 years, almost as far back as the beginning of time itself. In Genesis 4:22 we read about Tubal-Cain in the eighth generation after Adam Tubal-Cain, who forged all kinds of tools out of bronze and iron. Job probably lived around the time of Abraham. Abraham we know owned silver and it is clear that even by this stage though not organised on the scale of modern times mining and smelting were well established.
So here is an example of man’s power to make discoveries and to make use of those discoveries in quite sophisticated ways. Verses 1-11 consider this fact.
1. Man shines a light in the darkness
This is something man has been doing for some 6000 years, almost as far back as the beginning of time itself. In Genesis 4:22 we read about Tubal-Cain in the eighth generation after Adam Tubal-Cain, who forged all kinds of tools out of bronze and iron. Job probably lived around the time of Abraham. Abraham we know owned silver and it is clear that even by this stage though not organised on the scale of modern times mining and smelting were well established.
So here is an example of man’s power to make discoveries and to make use of those discoveries in quite sophisticated ways. Verses 1-11 consider this fact.
1. Man shines a light in the darkness
(3) Man puts an end to the darkness; he searches the farthest recesses for ore in the blackest darkness. Early mines no doubt involved simply tunnelling into a hillside (opencast mining) but soon mine shafts were developed. It tended to be slaves who were used for what has always been dirty and dangerous work. Because of the darkness below ground it was necessary to use artificial light – adding to the danger. But despite these dangers man searched the farthest recesses for ore in the blackest darkness. If you have ever been down a coal mine you will know how dark it is. In the tour of Big Pit, Blaenavon, at one point you all switch off your headlamps. That’s really dark!
2. Man makes discoveries in remote places
2. Man makes discoveries in remote places
(4) Far from where people dwell he cuts a shaft, in places forgotten by the foot of man; far from men he dangles and sways. Mines tended to be in remote places, off the beaten track. Here is a vivid picture of a man being let down on a rope either to work a seam or simply to look and see what is there. As the years have gone by deeper shafts have been dug, more remote places found. In the days of the South Wales Coalfield men would walk miles to the seam.
3. Man extracts good from adamant earth
3. Man extracts good from adamant earth
(5, 6) The earth, from which food comes, is transformed below as by fire; sapphires come from its rocks, and its dust contains nuggets of gold. Here we think of the effort to get the ore out of the ground. Making things grow involves great effort; getting precious stones and metals out is even more demanding. However, man’s zeal for such things drives him on. He is determined to burn it out as it were. Since Job’s day all sorts of machinery has been invented to assist in the process.
4. Man uncovers hidden paths
4. Man uncovers hidden paths
(7, 8) No bird of prey knows that hidden path, no falcon’s eye has seen it. Proud beasts do not set foot on it, and no lion prowls there. Next we go up into the sky where the birds of prey are. They have keen eyesight and can spot their prey from very high up, but they know nothing about what is going on below the surface. None of the wild animals do either. Brave and adventurous as they may be, they do not search out the hidden paths man searches out in his quest for gold.
5. Man breaks through resistance
5. Man breaks through resistance
Then in verses 9 and 10 it is the process of getting the ore out that is in mind again. Man’s hand assaults the flinty rock and lays bare the roots of the mountains. He tunnels through the rock; his eyes see all its treasures. It is not easy to mine gold and silver – most of us wouldn’t have much of an idea about how to begin. Nevertheless, man breaks all resistance to gain his goal. The history of mining is a fascinating and amazing one.
6. Man explores the unknown
6. Man explores the unknown
In verse 11 we may have a reference to the problem of water seeping into mines and how man searches out where the problem is and deals with it or it may be the broader point that man searches the sources of the rivers and brings hidden things to light. Metals and jewels are just an example of how in all sorts of ways man has been exploring this world and discovering and acquiring things. The history of exploration is every bit as fascinating as that of mining – people walking across continents and up mountains, going down into the depths of the sea and up into the heights of space. When I was a boy in school the idea of a man on the moon was still only a possibility. In 1953 three people climbed Everest and it was a cause of widespread celebration; this year some 300 have made it to the top.
The Bible never minimises man’s achievements nor should we. However, the point of all this is to highlight that with all his skill and industry, his technology and ability there is something that eludes man.
2. Yet note what man has failed to discover or acquire – wisdom
The Bible never minimises man’s achievements nor should we. However, the point of all this is to highlight that with all his skill and industry, his technology and ability there is something that eludes man.
2. Yet note what man has failed to discover or acquire – wisdom
Despite all its achievements, has mankind grown any wiser over the centuries? While he has been discovering gold or making great scientific discoveries has he found an increase in wisdom? As he has made this invention and that technological advance has man’s wisdom kept pace? Sadly, we have to say no. For all the advances we have made the same basic problems remain – people murdering each other and hating each other, accidents and disasters, mistakes and slip ups, war and strife, the problems of poverty and ignorance. We seem to be no nearer solving problems like that than we have ever been. In some ways things seem worse.
1. Wisdom is hidden from man and can’t be found
1. Wisdom is hidden from man and can’t be found
Verse 12 But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell? That is the fundamental question. You and I may know where and how to get gold or silver or jewels. But what about wisdom? What about understanding? Verse 13 Man does not comprehend its worth; it cannot be found in the land of the living. Man doesn’t realise is how precious it is nor where it can be found. Verse 14 The deep says, It is not in me; the sea says, It is not with me. Sometimes people think that they can gain wisdom by going somewhere especially if it is a long way away but even if you dive into the deepest sea; even if you plumb the oceans depths, you will not find it.
2. Wisdom is hidden from man and can’t be bought
2. Wisdom is hidden from man and can’t be bought
Many people put a lot of store by money. They believe that if you have enough money then you can do anything. But wisdom cannot be bought with money. 15-19 It cannot be bought with the finest gold, nor can its price be weighed in silver. It cannot be bought with the gold of Ophir, (the best gold) with precious onyx or sapphires. 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. I’m sure you’ve noticed that money and wisdom don’t naturally go together. You think to yourself, the people with the most money can afford the best education and so they should be the wisest but then you meet some of them or you hear about them and the every opposite seems to be the case. Now there are poor people who are stupid, of course, as well as rich people but have you noticed that you can be poor and wise and rich and stupid. Why? Because wisdom isn’t something you can buy in a shop or at an auction or on the black market. Money can’t buy wisdom.
3. Wisdom is hidden from man and can’t be found by natural means
3. Wisdom is hidden from man and can’t be found by natural means
Verse 20 asks again Where then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell? The answer in verse 21 again is that It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing, concealed even from the birds of the air. It is a secret thing, a hidden thing, something unknown, concealed. In verse 22 he says Destruction and Death say, Only a rumour of it has reached our ears. People will tell you that you can find wisdom in death and destruction but here they say they only have the vaguest idea of where wisdom can be found. You won’t find wisdom by delving into the mysteries of death and destruction. It is a mistake to think you will.
3. Understand that God alone can reveal wisdom as he alone knows it
Here is the point we have been gently leading to. Man does not know where wisdom is to be found but God does. There are at least two reasons why that is so.
1. Because he is all knowing, God knows where wisdom is found
3. Understand that God alone can reveal wisdom as he alone knows it
Here is the point we have been gently leading to. Man does not know where wisdom is to be found but God does. There are at least two reasons why that is so.
1. Because he is all knowing, God knows where wisdom is found
Verses 23, 24 God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells, for he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens. There is nothing hidden from God. He is all knowing, omniscient. Because he knows all things, we can be sure that he knows where wisdom is found. If you wanted to know how to obtain gold and didn’t know how, then what would you do? Well, you would find out from someone who did. Do you want to be wise? Do you want to understand how to live? Do you want to know wisdom in the various situations that you face from day to day? Then go to God. He knows.
2. Because he is the Creator, God has known all about wisdom right from the beginning
2. Because he is the Creator, God has known all about wisdom right from the beginning
Verses 25-27 When he established the force of the wind and measured out the waters, when he made a decree for the rain and a path for the thunderstorm, then he looked at wisdom and appraised it; he confirmed it and tested it. Think of the fact that God created the world. Since that time men have given names to some of the different winds, for example, and have established a way of measuring wind force. It’s called the Beaufort Scale and you go from breeze to storm to gale to hurricane, etc. Yet God knew all about the force of the winds when he created them. Men have also mapped the various oceans and seas and established, in most cases how deep they are, etc. Again, God measured out the waters at the beginning. Rain and thunderstorms have also been studied by man over the years and much knowledge accumulated but it is God who appoints their path. From the beginning God has also known wisdom, appraising, confirming and testing it. In all that God did he acted with wisdom. Wisdom was at his side, as it were.
We know from the New Testament that the way that wisdom is expressed chiefly is in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Wisdom of God. If we want to be wise then, we must go to God. It’s no good going to man as for all his knowledge and skill he cannot find wisdom. Go to God. Have you been to him to ask for wisdom? Do you know those wonderfully encouraging words in James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James adds But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord. But if you ask in faith, you can be sure that God will answer. Indeed God is speaking to us today in this very passage.
4. Accept that God has revealed wisdom to man and that the key is fear of the Lord
We know from the New Testament that the way that wisdom is expressed chiefly is in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Wisdom of God. If we want to be wise then, we must go to God. It’s no good going to man as for all his knowledge and skill he cannot find wisdom. Go to God. Have you been to him to ask for wisdom? Do you know those wonderfully encouraging words in James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. James adds But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord. But if you ask in faith, you can be sure that God will answer. Indeed God is speaking to us today in this very passage.
4. Accept that God has revealed wisdom to man and that the key is fear of the Lord
Here in verse 28 we come to the crucial point And he said to man, The fear of the Lord - that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding. Man will never attain to the level of wisdom that is found in God, nevertheless there is a practical wisdom that is open to all and that is found in God alone. We may not be able to answer the question of why there is so much suffering in this world or why this person or that is suffering but at least we can understand something and live in a wise way that is pleasing to God. Isn’t that a glorious prospect?
