Where, Oh Where is Wisdom?
by John M. Duvall
(Please read Job 28:1-28.)
Man will search deep within the earth to find hidden treasures. Man will mine for silver, gold, iron and copper. Man will dig shafts, overturn mountains and cut channels in rocks to find precious treasures. Man will dam up a river to bring to light that which is hidden beneath the waters. Man will drill deep beneath the ocean for oil reserves to give power to mechanical equipment on the surface of the earth. But in all of man’s searches, he has never found the most valuable of all treasures: Wisdom.
Job asked the question, “But where can wisdom be found? And where is understanding?” (Job 28:12) Man may search in the earth and above the earth, but he will never find wisdom and understanding. Wisdom can neither be found in the land of the living nor in the depths of the sea. Wisdom cannot be bought with gold, silver, onyx, or sapphire. Neither a job, stocks, bonds, nor fine jewelry can equal the value of wisdom. The value of wisdom far exceeds that of earthly possessions. Consider the words of Solomon as seen in Proverbs 3:13-15:
Happy is the man who finds wisdom, And the man who gains understanding; For her proceeds are better than the profits of silver, And her gain than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies, And all the things you may desire cannot compare with her.
Since wisdom’s value is too great to be bought or traded, where can a person go to find wisdom? Job asked a similar question: “From where then does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding?” (Job 28:20) Where does man look for that which is hidden from the eyes of all living? Only God understands the way of wisdom and knows its place. The Lord, who made a law for the rain and a path for the lightening bolt, saw wisdom and declared it. The Lord prepared wisdom and searched it out.
To find the treasure of wisdom, one must look only to God. When a person looks to God, he will see the awesomeness of God and will fear the Lord God. Once a person truly fears the Lord, he will then depart from his evil ways in favor of worshiping and obeying the one true God. This is wisdom and understanding. As Job wrote, “And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.’” (Job 28:28)
Give consideration to your life and your pursuits. Among those items and treasures for which you strive to have, is wisdom and understanding among that number? When you buy that new car, will you also find wisdom? When you move into that new house, will you find understanding? Buy your diamond rings, your computers, your stocks and bonds; that is all a part of life. However, in all that you seek to acquire, seek first a fear of the Lord and then seek to turn away from evil. This will bring you wisdom and understanding, two things more valuable than any precious items known to man. As Jesus once said, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33)
Do you find that you are lacking wisdom? If so, then consider the words of James, who wrote, “If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind.” (James 1:5-6) The answer to your prayer will be found in the pages of God’s word. Your answer will be found in you developing a genuine fear and reverence for God and His word. Your answer will also be found in your willingness to turn away from evil and to do good in faithful obedience to the Father in heaven.
It was fitting that the man to whom God gave wisdom in abundance wrote, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil.” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14)
___________________________
