Job Book Study - TheStorySample

Where Can Wisdom Be Found?

In the midst of Job’s despair comes this “jewel” of a poem about wisdom. Stop and think for a moment about the most beautiful jewellery you have ever seen, perhaps in a museum. Think about how much these jewels are treasured. For centuries, men have tunnelled underground to bring these things to light. Savour the description of vv 1-11.

Imagine! Even the most precious jewels can’t compare with wisdom.

There are different kinds of wisdom. There’s human wisdom, and you can probably think of people who have this kind of astuteness, whether in some practical sense, or in understanding the world around them, or in dealing with people. Then there’s true wisdom, which comes only from God. The people who have it are truly humble.

There are myriads of books on success and how to become successful quickly. Wisdom is different, and it doesn’t come quickly.

Joni Eareckson Tada wrote that the Bible “mandates us to search, as though mining hidden treasures, as though prospecting for precious metal. The wisdom is down deep in there, but God wants to know that we take Him and His commandments seriously. So He requires that we study, search and seek him out. Prudence and discernment, understanding and knowledge, insight and wisdom don’t come casually or lightly. They come by hard and earnest effort.”

It’s a mystery, but wisdom often comes like jewels, from our experience of the depths of darkness. Joni Eareckson knows this. She is a quadriplegic as a result of a diving accident. The wisest people are often those who have suffered the most. If this includes you, pray that your hardest times will not lead to bitterness, but to a profound understanding of God and his ways.

Respond in Prayer

Father God, we praise you for the wisdom with which you created the world. Thank you for the amazing wisdom of Jesus Christ. We pray for the wisdom that comes from you. If it comes through suffering, help us as we learn through difficulty to grow more and more like our Saviour.

Annabel Robinson

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version® (NIV®).