Priceless; Job 27-28, Proverbs 14

May the mumbling commence!

There is a commercial for a credit card that spends some time tallying up the total cost of something.  Then, at the end, the result is counted as priceless.  Such is the true wisdom that comes down from heaven.  In the Wisdom Literature, we are often told to attain wisdom and understanding at all costs.  Job speaks to this value in chapter twenty-eight of Job.  Read the passage below:

"But where can wisdom be found?

And where is the place of understanding? 

Man does not know its value,

Nor is it found in the land of the living. 

The deep says, 'It is not in me';

And the sea says, 'It is not with me.' 

It cannot be purchased for gold,

Nor can silver be weighed for its price. 

It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir,

In precious onyx or sapphire. 

Neither gold nor crystal can equal it,

Nor can it be exchanged for jewelry of fine gold. 

No mention shall be made of coral or quartz,

For the price of wisdom is above rubies. 

The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it,

Nor can it be valued in pure gold.” (Verses 12-19)

Where can wisdom and understanding be found?  Job uses a lengthy process of elimination.  Job thinks of all the things that are highly valued in his culture… healthy living, gold, silver, onyx, sapphire, crystal, jewelry, coral, quartz, rubies…  All pale in comparison to the worth of wisdom and understanding.  All are on the bargaining table to be traded for wisdom and understanding.

Wisdom is beyond price – priceless.  So, where do we find it?  Read what Job says to end chapter twenty-eight:

And to man He said, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom,

And to depart from evil is understanding.' "(Verse 28)

Fear the Lord.  Revere your Creator.  That is wisdom.  In other words, know that all true wisdom comes from above – from God.  And what about understanding – where is it?  Understanding is turning toward God and departing from evil.  What a fine definition of repentance!

It is wise to seek relationship with the Lord.  It is wise to learn all we can from His Word.  It is wise to worship.

It is understanding to apply what we learn – to recognize evil for what it is – and to depart from it.  It is understanding to allow our Creator to guide our every step.  Read from Proverbs chapter fourteen:

He who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord,

But he who is perverse in his ways despises Him. (Verse 2)

Saturate your attitude of heart with God’s wisdom.  Then, your thoughts, words, and walk will be on the road to righteousness.  Everything else is a perversion and is an affront to God.  Yes, come to God without fear – in strong confidence – and receive life, the quality and length which is far beyond our comprehension.  Read again from Proverbs chapter fourteen:

In the fear of the LORD there is strong confidence,

And His children will have a place of refuge. 

The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life,

To turn one away from the snares of death. (Verses 26-27)

Enough mumbling for now…

Peace Out