Read chapter in full: biblegateway.com/passage/?version=ESV&search=Job+028
CHAPTER 28 (ESV)
23 “God understands the way to it,
and he knows its place.
24 For he looks to the ends of the earth
and sees everything under the heavens.
25 When he gave to the wind its weight
and apportioned the waters by measure,
26 when he made a decree for the rain
and a way for the lightning of the thunder,
27 then he saw it and declared it;
he established it, and searched it out.
28 And he said to man,
‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom,
and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”
REFLECTION:
In Chapter 28, Job tells the true meaning of wisdom. If people do not understand the importance of the Word of God, they will naturally search for wisdom in the world. People are constantly searching for the direction of life from many philosophers and leaders, but Job said that wisdom cannot be found in the world. No leader or philosopher has enough knowledge or insight to explain the entire life. For questions such as the ultimate meaning of life, who we are, where we came from and where we are going, the answer must be from outside the world and higher than our thinking. As we look for guidance, we should look for God’s revealed wisdom in the Bible. We must know and trust the Lord of Life in order to transcend the boundaries of life. Here Job points out that “the fear of the Lord” is the true wisdom, and this is also the key theme of biblical wisdom literature (from Job to Song of Solomon). The desire for God, the fear of His authority and majesty, is the beginning of all wisdom.
PRAYER:
God, You are the source of wisdom; reverence for You is the beginning of wisdom, and knowing You is understanding. People attempt to explain the ultimate meaning of life, who we are, where we come from, and where we are going using their own knowledge or insights, but they only become more confused. The answers come from beyond this world, from the Lord of Life, who surpasses human thought. Lord, grant me a humble heart that reveres You, so that I may obtain true wisdom.
HYMN:
The Fear of the Lord – www.youtube.com/watch?v=RZ5SnupM8Ws
