Read Job 28
Verse chosen for meditation: Job 28:28 ESV:
And he said to man, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.
Reflect
This whole chapter is essentially a poetic discourse on wisdom though Job's conclusion here is not new. It's found also in Psalm 111: 10 and Proverbs 9: 10. But to be mentioned three times in separate books adds only to the credibility and mystery of this life changing quote of a verse. Simply put, it is not coincidence, but something for us to sit up and take notice of.
With controversy surrounding the passage as much as it does the character Job, there's a possibility that this chapter might be an after-thought. If not, how could Job or any of his fair-weather friends be in such a calm state as they mull the philosophical conundrum pertaining to wisdom. How could Job be in the right mind and spirit to ponder even such a topic? It would be furthest from the mind of someone going through the most terrible time of his life.
But why not?
In desperation, he has been searching for an understanding of his situation, which no one, up to this point, can offer a decent explanation for.
So, as you read and try to understand the passage, how would you describe wisdom? What is wisdom to you?
Relate
It profits us sometimes to take our minds off a matter that's been bothering us. By some chance, Job could be doing that in this chapter, taking a moment off his woes to contemplate wisdom.
Searching for an answer or anything of value could take us to places unknown to us. Therefore, we need to be prepared to venture into such unchartered territories. Some of these places could be the inner recesses of our own hearts and minds. But no matter how prepared we are, we'll never be prepared enough for the discovery or answer awaiting us.
At times, it may not satisfy the longing. For by then, the answer we're searching for would have become our longing. Even then, we need to keep searching for that precious and valuable something that will give us meaning.
We could always start with the Word of God. Take it from the Psalmist who treats the Word as treasure (Psalm 119: 11), Jeremiah who looks upon it as joy food (Jeremiah 15: 16) and Timothy who sees the many profits of the Word (2 Timothy 3: 16 ESV). My own experience has been that it often starts and ends here as well.
For we needn't always have to go far in search of the rainbow's end. It could be as near as right under our noses. But the search is nonetheless no less intense. For the Word of God needs to be mined as passionately and adventurously as trying to find something of great worth.
Indeed, wisdom can't be found in the usual manner that we approach life. Wisdom is also not about being another Einstein. The true way of wisdom is the fear of God. Lest we get the wrong idea, it has nothing to do with being afraid of God. For that's not what fear means here.
On the contrary, in fact, fear is having a wholesome respect for God. It is knowing that he is above all and has the right to everything, including our very own lives. Job would be so much closer to understanding his situation by having such wisdom, which comes from the fear of God. All his friends can then hush and hold their tongues.
As for me, a big part of wisdom has to do with acknowledging the sovereignty of God. Not that we have to be awed by God's sovereignty all the time, but a respectful and reverential acknowledgement is necessary, no matter the situation. For that reason, we're told to offer prayers of thanksgiving at all times (1 Thessalonians 5: 18, Philippians 4: 6). In that way, we switch from challenging to acknowledging God's sovereignty. The Why God? Why me? Why this? big questions, even if they were asked, would be asked with the acknowledgement of God's sovereignty, when prayers are backed by thanksgiving.
So, for more than two decades, I've stopped asking God 'why' when things don't go my way or the way I have expected. Instead, I would say a simple prayer of thanksgiving as
directed by his Word. It would later on come as a pleasant surprise that this simple discipline or act would over time change my entire outlook.
Does this then mean that I have gotten wiser?
I believe I have, but not by the world's standard of wisdom. The world may not know, but the wise man or woman should know God, appreciate God, and acknowledge God, even in the face of adversity, counting it all as living in reality as much as in his will.
Hence, to be able to look at God and fall at his feet during such moments is true wisdom. Job would get to this point by the end of the book. The challenger had unwittingly again done God a great service.
Rest
Lord, let me fall at your feet. That's how I show that you are God. For you alone are God, this I know. And only you can blow my mind like no other. Thus I can surely say: 'The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.'
Naville Chia
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