Where to Find Wisdom

Job 28

I.  The Pursuit of Wealth (vv. 1-11)

1)     The Object of Man’s Pursuit

1. Valuable Minerals and Jewels (vv. 1,6)
2. Useful Metals and Materials (v. 2)
   

2)       The Creativity of Man’s Pursuit

1. Digging deep underground
2. Producing artificial light (v. 3)
3. Smelting and Refining the Ore (v. 2)
   

3)     The Tenacity of Man’s Pursuit

1. Working far away from home (v. 4a)
2. Working in dangerous conditions (v. 4b)
3. Going where the bravest and most noble of God’s creatures have never set foot (vv. 7-8)
4. Damming up streams to uncover the location of hidden minerals and gems (v. 11)
   

II.  The Pursuit of Wisdom (vv. 12-28)

1)     Job’s Question:  ‘Where can wisdom be found?’ (v. 12)

1. Not in the land of the living (v. 13b)
2. Not in the most remote and inaccessible parts of planet earth (v. 13)
3. Not in the grave (v. 22)
4. Not in the store (vv. 15-19)
   

2)     Job’s Conclusion: ‘Man does not know its worth’ (v13)

1. We humans pursue wealth with far more enthusiasm than we pursue wisdom:  “Go to the miners, then, thou sluggard in religion;  consider their ways and be wise” – Matthew Henry
2. No commodity is more valuable in this life than wisdom  (cf. Proverbs 3:13-20)
3. We will not pursue heavenly wisdom as long as we remain content with earthly counterfeits
   1. Wisdom is not the same thing as knowledge.
   2. Wisdom is not the ambition or ability to amass wealth and power (cf. James 3:13-18). 
      

3)     The Source of Wisdom

1. God alone knows where wisdom can be found
   1. Wisdom is a divine attribute – it is perfectly expressed in God alone (cf. Romans 16:27)
   2. Wisdom is a communicated attribute – God is eager to share His wisdom with us !
2. Wisdom is defined in Scripture as ‘the fear of the Lord’  (v. 28, cf. Psalm 111:10;  Proverbs 9:10, 15:33)
   1. Reverence for God’s holiness
   2. Humility in God’s presence
   3. Turning away from all evil and sin
   4. Love for God’s commandments
3. Jesus Christ is the embodiment of God’s perfect wisdom  (cf. 1 Corinthians 1:24;  Colossians 2:3;  Proverbs 8)
   

Application Points:

– Human beings will go to almost any length to obtain what they treasure the most.   How much do you value wisdom and to what degree are you pursuing it?  Are you looking for wisdom in the right place?

– Like Job’s friends it is possible to have abundant knowledge without having wisdom.   The world is filled with ‘intelligent fools’, so be discerning and understand the difference between knowledge and wisdom.

– Trials can sometimes be God’s way of revealing our desperate need for His wisdom and exposing our counterfeits.   Wisdom from God is often gained in the crucible of affliction and trouble.

– Gaining wisdom does not mean that we will get answers to all of the ‘why’ questions we ask.   It does mean that God will give us the resources we need to apply Biblical knowledge correctly and to live in a way that pleases Him and advances His purposes.