Wisdom Wednesday: Where is Wisdom Found?
Submitted by: Debbie’s Dad
But where can wisdom be found?
And where is the place of understanding?
“Man does not know its value,
Nor is it found in the land of the living.
-Job 28:12–13 (NASB 95)
In chapters 27 and 28 of the Book of Job, Job discusses the affliction of men. While he asserts his own innocence (27: 1-6) he recognizes the affliction of the wicked (27:7-23). Job asks, “For what is the hope of the godless when he is cut off, When God requires his life? Will God hear his cry When distress comes upon him?” The chapter acknowledges the plight of the wicked in death, but what about his own affliction in life, while he claims to be innocent?
Chapter 28 is Job’s discussion regarding the difficulty in finding God’s wisdom–to understand the trials of life. In the first 11 verses, he illustrates the search for wisdom as a search for precious metals in earth—silver, gold, even iron and copper, and gems like sapphire. He explains how men dig deep shafts and descend precariously into mines or dam up streams to find these valuable treasures.
“But,” he asks in verse 12, “… where can wisdom be found?” He shows in verses 13-22 where it is NOT found–in the land of the living or in the sea. Its value cannot be compared to precious stones, and it is hidden from “the eyes of all living”.
Next, in verses 23-28, Job provides his answer to the question–God knows where wisdom is:
God understands its way, And He knows its place.
For He looks to the ends of the earth And sees everything under the heavens.
When He imparted weight to the wind And meted out the waters by measure,
When He set a limit for the rain And a course for the thunderbolt,
Then He saw it and declared it; He established it and also searched it out. (28:23-27)
And Job concludes his answer- Where do we find wisdom? It is found in the deepest reverence for God:
“And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom;
And to depart from evil is understanding.” (Job 28:28)
Where was the wisdom Job needed to accept and understand his affliction? It was in focusing on God, rather than his own affliction. It was to fear (“venerate and submit to”) the God Who knew his innocence, allowed his suffering, and redeemed him. This is where wisdom is found.