Job 28
Job 28 discusses the search for wisdom and understanding, contrasting humanity's ability to mine precious resources from the earth with its inability to find true wisdom. The chapter poetically highlights that only God knows the way to wisdom, and humans must seek Him to gain understanding.
Job 28:1-5 (NKJV)
1 “Surely there is a mine for silver,
And a place where gold is refined.
2 Iron is taken from the earth,
And copper is smelted from ore.
3 Man puts an end to darkness,
And searches every recess
For ore in the darkness and the shadow of death.
4 He breaks open a shaft away from people;
In places forgotten by feet
They hang far away from men;
They swing to and fro.
5 As for the earth, from it comes bread,
But underneath it is turned up as by fire."
These verses illustrate humanity’s impressive ability to discover and extract valuable metals from the earth, even going deep into dark, dangerous places. Job emphasizes the ingenuity of man in mining, cutting through the earth, and bringing valuable resources to light. However, this is contrasted with the deeper search for wisdom that follows, suggesting that despite all human efforts, true wisdom is far more elusive than any material resource.
Job 28:6-11 (NKJV)
6 Its stones are the source of sapphires,
And it contains gold dust.
7 That path no bird knows,
Nor has the falcon’s eye seen it.
8 The proud lions have not trodden it,
Nor has the fierce lion passed over it.
9 He puts his hand on the flint;
He overturns the mountains at the roots.
10 He cuts out channels in the rocks,
And his eye sees every precious thing.
11 He dams up the streams from trickling;
What is hidden he brings forth to light."
Man’s ability to extract precious stones like sapphires and gold reflects his mastery over the physical world. Yet, the path to wisdom is not one that can be seen by animals or discovered through physical strength. Humans can manipulate nature to bring forth its treasures, but the true path to wisdom, which is hidden, cannot be uncovered through these efforts alone.
Job 28:12-14 (NKJV)
12 “But where can wisdom be found?
And where is the place of understanding?
13 Man does not know its value,
Nor is it found in the land of the living.
14 The deep says, ‘It is not in me’;
And the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’"
Here, the question of where wisdom can be found is raised. Unlike precious metals and stones, wisdom cannot be discovered through human effort or found in any place on earth. The deep and the sea, representing the unknown and unfathomable, both deny having wisdom, emphasizing that it lies beyond human reach in the natural world.
Job 28:15-19 (NKJV)
15 It cannot be purchased for gold,
Nor can silver be weighed for its price.
16 It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir,
In precious onyx or sapphire.
17 Neither gold nor crystal can equal it,
Nor can it be exchanged for jewelry of fine gold.
18 No mention shall be made of coral or quartz,
For the price of wisdom is above rubies.
19 The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it,
Nor can it be valued in pure gold."
These verses stress that wisdom’s value far exceeds any material wealth. No amount of gold, silver, precious gems, or valuable minerals can equal the worth of wisdom. The finest treasures on earth are incomparable to the priceless nature of wisdom, underscoring its unattainable quality by earthly means.
Job 28:20-22 (NKJV)
20 “From where then does wisdom come?
And where is the place of understanding?
21 It is hidden from the eyes of all living,
And concealed from the birds of the air.
22 Destruction and Death say,
‘We have heard a report about it with our ears.’"
The question of wisdom’s origin is posed again, highlighting its hiddenness from all living creatures. Even Destruction and Death, symbolizing the end of life and the afterlife, can only report having heard rumors of wisdom, further emphasizing that it lies far beyond the reach of earthly existence.
Job 28:23-28 (NKJV)
23 God understands its way,
And He knows its place.
24 For He looks to the ends of the earth,
And sees under the whole heavens,
25 To establish a weight for the wind,
And apportion the waters by measure.
26 When He made a law for the rain,
And a path for the thunderbolt,
27 Then He saw wisdom and declared it;
He prepared it, indeed, He searched it out.
28 And to man He said,
‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom,
And to depart from evil is understanding.’”
The closing verses reveal that only God knows the true path to wisdom. He alone sees all things and controls the natural forces of the world. In His creation, He established wisdom. For humanity, wisdom is found in the fear of the Lord and in turning away from evil. This emphasizes that true understanding comes not from human achievement, but from a relationship with God and living a righteous life.