Job 28
by Pastor David Groendyk

Job continues his monologue, now turning to the idea of wisdom in general. Verses 1–11 are a set-up for what comes after them. Human beings are capable of many great things. We search to the farthest limits for valuable metals and gems, we’re industrious and full of ingenuity, and we’re able to bring so many of the earth’s hidden treasures to light. And yet, wisdom is unknown to mankind (vv. 12–13). Man does not know wisdom’s location (v. 21), and man does not know wisdom’s value (v. 13).
 
What is wisdom? In a biblical sense, it is knowing how to live skillfully in God’s world according to God’s Word. It’s different than simply knowing God’s commands. Wisdom is knowing how to apply God’s commands to life, even the tricky and gray areas. Living wisely, according to Scripture, is not about figuring out how to get ahead in life or how to be cunning; it’s about living a holy life of obedience. Why is wisdom so valuable? Because having wisdom allows you to live in the world the right way according to how God sees it. Living wisely leads to success and holiness and God’s glory. Everybody wants wisdom. But here’s the major lesson to take away from Job 28: God is the only source of true wisdom (vv. 23–28). Fearing the Lord is how we begin to live wisely, and fearing the Lord is how we will continue to acquire wisdom. In other words, anyone who doesn’t truly know God can’t be wise. Human beings cannot acquire wisdom on their own. Notice that just as the birds and the beasts aren’t able to work the earth like humans do (vv. 7–8), so humans don’t innately possess wisdom as God does. Wisdom must be given to us by God and learned over time.
 
Paul will go on to say that Christ is the ultimate wisdom of God (1 Cor. 1:24, 30), which shows that God’s wisdom is far deeper and harder to understand than we could ever imagine. In fact, God’s wisdom many times looks like foolishness to human beings. Through weakness, we’re made strong; through what was shameful, we’re lifted up and exalted; through death, we’re given life. Christ is our ultimate example of wisdom, and Christ is our ultimate source for wisdom. This helps us see that it’s not just those who know God that attain wisdom, but it’s only those who know God through Christ that can ever truly live wisely. Do you need wisdom? Go to God through Christ and ask him for it. Because Christ dwells within you, so does his wisdom and the ability to know it and live it out.