Job 28:28

And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, And to depart from evil is understanding.’

Job 28:28

Chapter 28 begins with Job describing how man extracts precious metals and stones from the earth. These valuable items require tremendous effort to obtain: Mines must be dug, ore must be smelted, rocks must be cut, and streams must be dammed. Gold, silver, iron, copper, and precious stones are obtained with great effort, an effort akin to overturning mountains as Job puts it in verse 9. 

In light of this arduous process, Job asks where wisdom and understanding can be found, and he goes on to conclude that it is neither discoverable, nor purchasable (Job 28:12-22). But God knows wisdom, for He created it (Job 28:23, 27), and this wisdom brings life. As Job illustrates, this wisdom cannot be found by man alone. Even when man thinks he has found the right path, that path leads to destruction of the soul (Proverbs 14:12). God is the source of wisdom, and on this side of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, we must come to Jesus to obtain it.

Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Savior, we indeed have found the wisdom of God. We now have the power, by the Spirit, to depart from evil and live a life pleasing to God. Lord, may we be filled with the knowledge of Your will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.

Pastor Jeff Mericle