Context:
Because
the final speech of Job covers six chapters, we provide the following
structure to help the reader follow it:
26.
Job (9) Part 1: Attack - Rebuke of the ‘friends' for only God
knows the truth'
27.
Job (9) Part 2: Defence -
Job's Personal Integrity
& the fate of his enemies
28.
Job
(9) Part 3: Interlude:
Where Wisdom is Found
29.
Job (9) Part 4: The Past
- Job looks back almost nostalgically
30.
Job (9) Part 5: The
Present - Roles Reversed & a Resultant Wreck
31.
Job (9) Part 6: Final Defence
- Job's Final Words of Self-Vindication
FRAMEWORKS:
Job 28: Interlude:
Where Wisdom Is Found
[Preliminary
Comments: Whether this is Job or another writer interposing
this ‘interlude' in the flow of the book, the subject of the source
of wisdom is clear. The writer starts with a natural example in
life of work that is difficult but worthwhile – mining. [v.1-11].
He then, in picture language, poses the question, where do you
look for wisdom – the knowledge of ‘how to' or ‘how it works'?
[v.12-22]. His answer is that it can only be found in God and
that is a reasonable answer because God created all things and
knows how everything works. [v.23-28] In the context of the whole
book, the answer to all the questions raised can only be found
with God.]
v.1-11
Mining is a good example of that which is difficult to find &
takes effort
v.1
There
is a mine for silver and a place where gold is refined.
v.2
Iron
is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore.
v.3
Mortals
put an end to the darkness; they search out the farthest recesses
for ore in the blackest darkness.
v.4
Far
from human dwellings they cut a shaft, in places untouched by
human feet; far from other people they dangle and sway.
v.5
The
earth, from which food comes, is transformed below as by fire;
v.6
lapis
lazuli comes from its rocks, and its dust contains nuggets of
gold.
v.7
No
bird of prey knows that hidden path, no falcon's eye has seen
it.
v.8
Proud
beasts do not set foot on it, and no lion prowls there.
v.9
People
assault the flinty rock with their hands and lay bare the roots
of the mountains.
v.10
They
tunnel through the rock; their eyes see all its treasures.
v.11
They
search the sources of the rivers and bring hidden things
to light.
v.12-22
So where do you look to find wisdom?
v.12
But
where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell?
v.13
No
mortal comprehends its worth; it cannot be found in the land of
the living.
v.14
The
deep says, “It is not in me”; the sea says, “It is not with me.”
v.15
It
cannot be bought with the finest gold, nor can its price be weighed
out in silver.
v.16
It
cannot be bought with the gold of Ophir, with precious onyx or
lapis lazuli.
v.17
Neither
gold nor crystal can compare with it, nor can it be had for jewels
of gold.
v.18
Coral
and jasper are not worthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond
rubies.
v.19
The
topaz of Cush cannot compare with it; it cannot be bought with
pure gold.
v.20
Where
then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell?
v.21
It
is hidden from the eyes of every living thing, concealed even
from the birds in the sky.
v.22
Destruction and
Death say, “Only a rumour of it has reached our ears.”
v.23-28
The Answer? God, the Creator who knows all things
v.23
God
understands the way to it and he alone knows where it
dwells,
v.24
for
he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.
v.25
When
he established the force of the wind and measured out the waters,
v.26
when
he made a decree for the rain and a path for the thunderstorm,
v.27
then
he looked at wisdom and appraised it; he confirmed it and tested
it.
v.28
And
he said to the human race, “The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom,
and to shun evil is understanding.”
[Concluding
Comments: If this was Job from back in 27:11 he certainly
provides some substantial picture language to convey his point.
Because the headings above are clear, we will not add a further
summary. ]