Job’s 4th & Final Response—Discourse on Wisdom & A …storage.cloversites.com/journeythruthebiblesundayschoolclass/... · It is highly likely that the semi-precious stone lapis

1 Job Chapter 28 Klaus G. Schiessel

Copyright © June 2016

JOB 28 Job’s 4th & Final Response—Discourse on Wisdom

& A Lesson in Mining Engineering

Introduction:

This is the third chapter [of six] in Job’s 4th and final discourse, which continues through the end of chapter 31 and concludes with “the words of Job are ended”. In this chapter Job gives us a

detailed discourse on value of “WISDOM” and its true source.

But first, Job describes the dynamics of mining operations and uses man’s quest for precious metals and gemstones buried in the earth as an allegory for the quest for wisdom. Both require a willingness to work hard, focus on the reward, single-minded desire, resolve, diligence and determination. However, the irony is that all that earthly wealth cannot purchase WISDOM.

In the next three chapters Job:

• Summarizes his defense giving specific examples of his blameless character {Job 29}

• Summarizes his current condition and prognosis {Job 30}

• Defends his character by giving specific examples of his righteousness {Job 31}

vv. 1-4� JOB’S KNOWLEDGE OF MINING PRECIOUS & STRUCTURAL METALS [1 “Surely there is a mine for silver and a place where gold is refined. 2 Iron is taken from the

earth and copper is smelted from ore. 3 Man puts an end to darkness and searches every

recess for ore in the darkness and the shadow of death. 4 He breaks open a shaft away from

people; in places forgotten by feet they hang far away from men; they swing to and fro.”]

Job now sets the stage for his discourse on “WISDOM”, which is a very precious commodity

but doesn’t come about automatically. It must come from the right source, must be highly

desired, sought after with determination and then refined.

Thus Job prefaces his remarks on “WISDOM” by using the allegory of precious metals which

must be mined from the ground also with determination and at the cost of great labor.

Gold is usually discovered in veins of quartz1 that are mixed with gold [gold ore], which the

miner follows. Sometimes these veins end, other times they lead to what’s called a “bonanza”

or “mother lode2”.

Job also mentions the mining of iron and copper ore and the fact that the refining of the ore

requires the process of “smelting” it. Both iron and copper was used in making weapons of

warfare, including chariots {Jud. 1:19; 4:3,13}, as well as decorative embellishments. So

these metals were also highly prized.

1 Quartz itself is an interesting crystalline material being made up of silicon oxide with the chemical

formula of SiO2. There are many different varieties of quartz depending on the presence of trace amounts of iron, manganese or titanium, several of which themselves are semi-precious gemstones such as amethyst, onyx, jasper, citrine, agate, opal and chalcedony. The ancient Greeks called quartz “krustallos” rendered as “crystal” in English. Since antiquity, varieties of quartz have been the most commonly used minerals in the making of jewelry and hardstone carvings, especially in Europe and the Middle East. Quartz crystals have piezoelectric properties—they develop an electric charge upon the application of mechanical stress. Because of this property, quartz crystals have been used as oscillators in the development of radios in the early 1920’s and still used in the manufacture of microelectronic devices today. 2 Such as the Comstock Lode of silver in Nevada near Virginia City.



Historical Note: What we see here is that the civilization during Job’s time was so far advanced as to make use not only of gold and silver, but also of iron and copper. The refining and use of gold [e.g., the “gold of Ophir”, v.16, “fine gold”] and silver commonly precedes the discovery of iron and copper, consequently the mention of the use of iron and copper indicates an advanced knowledge of processing metal ore.

Quartz veins containing gold [gold ore] can be found on the earth’s surface, but usually they

are found hundreds, or even thousands, of feet underground; in the recesses of the earth that

are ordinarily dark, and therefore reminiscent of imminent death or, as Job poetically alludes

to them, as places of the “shadow of death”.

But man, in his obsessive quest for material riches, as Job explains puts an end to the darkness

found in those places of the earth by digging and illuminating them with light from oil lamps.

One dramatic example of this is the Empire Mine in Grass Valley, California, which is one of the oldest, largest, deepest, longest and richest gold mines in that state. Between 18503 and 19564, the Empire Mine produced about 5.8 million ounces [181 tons] of gold mined from a network of tunnels totaling almost 400 miles! The main shaft penetrated into the earth at approximately a 60 degree angle to a depth of 2 miles! Miners were lowered and raised on customized wooden bench seats using steel cables operated by steam power. The miners were let off into horizontal mine shafts every several hundred feet. And the Empire Mine was only one of dozens of mines dotting the valleys in Central California.

Job gives us some insight into mining practices of the day by including a description of men

hanging and swinging back and forth. Evidently these miners were tied to ropes which were

suspended from the ceiling and sides of the tunnels while they worked to chip away the ore

and put it into buckets .

To get to these precious materials great effort needs to be expended and the labor continued

with determination, even when it seems like it’s not worth it or becomes difficult.

Being deep underground, these mine shafts are of course far away from place where people

normally live. So they must be searched out by individuals determined to find them.

Job is using the facts of mining precious metals to set-up his discourse on the nature and

pursuit of “WISDOM”. Just like mining for precious metals “WISDOM” needs to prized,

diligently sought after, while looking forward to the resulting reward.

v. 5-8� JOB’S KNOWLEDGE OF THE EFFECT OF GEOLOGICAL FORCES [5 “As for the earth, from it comes bread, but underneath it is turned up as by fire; 6 Its stones

are the source of sapphires and it contains gold dust. 7 That path no bird knows, nor has the

falcon's eye seen it. 8 The proud lions have not trodden it, nor has the fierce lion passed over

it.”]

Job continues his introduction to finding wisdom. The surface of the earth grows grain, which

is ground into flower, leavened and baked to make bread.

But underneath [lit. “the bottom”] the earth, i.e., deep underground, the earth is turned over as

by fire! Job must have had a primitive, but nevertheless accurate, scientific understanding of

the geological forces under the earth’s crust which were churning up the earth with great heat.

3 Two years after gold was discovered at Sutter’s Mill in Coloma.

4 When mining the gold ore and refining the gold finally became an unprofitable enterprise.



This is the indeed the case and the source of volcanic eruptions. It is interesting to note that

most large gold and silver discoveries occur in areas known for their volcanic geology.

Note that this is also true of precious gems such as the sapphire, ruby and emerald.

The stone known as sapphire is thought not to have been used until Roman times, and so

some other stone is probably meant here. It is highly likely that the semi-precious stone lapis

lazuli5, known and mined from ancient times [before 2000 BC, from the time after the GREAT

FLOOD] and prized for its intense blue color6, is being referred to.

This conclusion is further validated by its containing “gold dust” and also the literal meaning

of the Hebrew word that Job uses here.

H. H. Rowley in his notes on this verse suggests that if the stone referred to is lapis lazuli,

then the “gold dust” would refer to the particles of iron pyrite7 [iron sulfide] found in lapis

lazuli which glitter like gold8 [refer to Figure 28-1].

Figure 28-1. Sample of Lapis Lazuli Showing Golden Streaks of Iron Pyrite (photo credit Hannes Grobe).

Consistent with this, Job says the source of lapis lazuli combined with “gold dust” are these

regions beneath the earth’s surface where rock is “churned [lit. “turned about or over”] as by

fire”. Indeed, lapis lazuli is known to be a type of metamorphic rock which forms under

conditions of extreme pressure deep underground and the high temperatures associated with

molten rock.

5 Lapis Lazuli is essentially a “rock” made up of several elements, including sodium, calcium,

aluminum oxide, sulfur and chlorine. Although it is not crystalline in structure it is commonly found in crystalline marble in which it infused through the process of contact metamorphism. 6 Lapis Lazuli was used for the eyebrows, among other features, on the funeral mask of Tutankhamen

(1341–1323 BC). In Europe, it was ground into powder and made into ultramarine, the finest and most expensive of all blue pigments. It was used by some of the most significant artists of the Renaissance and Baroque periods and was often reserved for the clothing of the central figures of their paintings, especially the Virgin Mary. 7 Pyrite or iron sulfide, is usually found associated with other sulfides or oxides in quartz veins,

sedimentary rock, and metamorphic rock as it is associated by Job here. 8 For this reason, pyrite is sometimes referred to as “fools’ gold”.



Furthermore, the Hebrew word rendered “sapphires” is derived from another word which

means “to score or scratch a mark”.

The association of this Hebrew word would be consistent with the stone “containing gold

dust” [i.e., what we would know as pyrite], which is known to create sparks9 when struck [i.e.,

scored or scratched] against a hard metal, like steel.

It appears that Job was aware of such processes and goes on to say that no bird knows, not

even the falcon [or hawk] with its keen sense of sight, or has seen this process take place

because it occurs deep underground.

Not even the proud lions, the “king of beasts”, who fear nothing, have walked on those parts

of the earth where these precious materials are found.

And it is a scientific fact that veins containing gold and silver, as well as precious gem stones,

are formed deep underground under conditions of heat and extreme pressure.

In his notes on Job 28:1-8, David J. Clark comes up with the following thematic arrangement

of Job’s discourse on mining10

:

• Getting valuable metals from the earth {vv.1-2}

• Going underground {v.3}

• Remoteness of the mines; regions unseen by people {v.4}

• Getting valuable metals and gems from the earth {vv.5-6}

• Remoteness of the mines; regions unseen by birds & animals {vv.7-8}

vv. 9-11� JOB DESCRIBES EXTENSIVE MINING OPERATIONS [9 “He puts his hand on the flint; he overturns the mountains at the roots. 10 He cuts out

channels in the rocks and his eye sees every precious thing. 11 He dams up the streams from

trickling; what is hidden he brings forth to light.”]

Job now poetically describes the processes involved in deep mining operations.

[He puts his hand on the flint…] The word rendered “flint” refers to a “dense rock”, hence Job

is referring to very hard rock. To obtain the precious metals and gems men are willing to dig

through the hard rock, even though this would require strenuous effort and the sacrifice of

time.

The point is, such an obstacle does not stop men from mining the earth for its precious

commodities. They have their “eye on the prize”, not the means of getting it.

[…he overturns the mountains at the roots.] It is also known geologically that most of the

precious materials are found at the base of mountains, i.e., their “roots”, not at their tops. In

their quest to extract the maximum amount of gold, silver, iron, copper and gemstones, men’s

mining operations are so extensive that they seem to dig out mountains of earth. Their

appetite for riches seem insatiable.

9 Indeed, the name pyrite is derived from the Greek (pyritēs), which literally means “of or in fire”.

10 David J. Clark, “In Search of Wisdom: Notes on Job 28”, The Bible Translator 33. October 1982,

(401-5).



[He cuts out channels in the rocks…] Men cut deep shafts and dig numerous tunnels to mine

the precious metals they are looking for. The Empire Mine mentioned earlier is an example

of this [2 miles deep with a network of almost 400 miles of tunnels]. They diligently seek

after the precious things they are looking for.

[…and his eye sees every precious thing.] The miner leaves “no stone unturned” as it were.

He wants to make sure that every precious thing [gold, silver, iron, copper, precious gems] is

found, his eye does not overlook anything.

[He dams up the streams from trickling…] There is much water beneath the earth, so much so

that there are subterranean streams, rivers and lakes in natural cave systems [refer to Figure

28-2].

Sometimes miners discover large, open caverns that are filled with water as they tunnel

through the rock. Water containing limestone and other minerals dripping from the ceiling

form stalactites [from the top] and stalagmites [on the bottom]. This can be seen depicted in

the Calico Mine ride attraction at Knott’s Berry Farm in Buena Park, California.

Most of the time however, miners simply struggle against ground water which leaks or seeps

through the ceilings and walls of the mine shaft. These “trickling streams” must be stopped-

up to prevent the tunnels from filling with water and allow the mining operations to

continue11

.

Thus, the miner “dams up the streams from trickling”.

Figure 28-2. Cross Cave (Krizna Jama) System in Slovenia (photo credit Boštjan Burger).

[…what is hidden he brings forth to light] The precious materials that were buried deep

beneath the earth and never seen “the light of day” are brought out of the earth into that light.

It would seem that Job has a pretty good understanding of deep mining operations.

11

The depth of gold mining operations in California were limited by this leaking water into the tunnels. Deep earth mining was at an impasse until Welsh coal mining techniques, using steam powered water pumps, were introduced to pump out the water much faster than it could leak in.



vv. 12-14� THE DEEPEST CREATED THINGS CANNOT BE THE SOURCE OF WISDOM [12 “But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? 13 Man does

not know its value, nor is it found in the land of the living. 14 The deep says, ‘It is not in me’;

and the sea says, 'It is not with me’.”]

After having given impressive, and detailed, descriptions of the effort, determination and

difficulty of obtaining precious metals and gem stones, now Job enters into his main discourse

on “WISDOM”.

He begins by asking two thought-provoking rhetorical questions: (1) “Where can wisdom be

found?” and (2) “And where is the place of understanding?”. Note that Job will repeat these

questions eight verses later {v.20}. They are important questions for Job to answer and they

are important questions for everyone who seeks wisdom.

[Man does not know its value] Job indirectly answers his own question by saying that, in

general, mankind is clueless to the value of “WISDOM”.

Going along with this, Job says that “WISDOM” does not originate in the land of the living, i.e.,

among mankind. Its true source is not from men, it cannot come from any created being.

Job is giving us a hint here. After all, this makes sense since man is a created being and only

the One who created can be expected to be the source of “WISDOM”.

Both the deep and the sea say “It is not with me”. The deep appears to be a reference to an

subterranean lakes and seas. Note:

“In the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in the second month, the seventeenth day of the month, on that day all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened.”—Gen. 7:11-12

Job is affirming that neither the depths of the earth or the depth of the ocean can be the source

of “WISDOM”. WISDOM is the proper application of KNOWLEDGE.

Application: Knowledge of the origin of the earth will not be found by exploring the deepest recesses of the earth or the depths of the oceans. Such knowledge, as beneficial as it may be in helping us manage our environment, cannot tell man anything related to real wisdom and his true origin.

Scientists can probe and explore every crevice on land and in the sea and still not come to the knowledge of the truth of the Eyewitness [Almighty God] testimony found in Genesis

1-11. Wisdom and knowledge of our origin and place in the Universe come only from God.

Man will not learn how the earth originally came into existence or who brought it into existence by analyzing rocks, water or measuring air quality. That comes only from the wisdom that God gives. Such knowledge and wisdom come from God’s Word alone.



vv. 15-19� THE PRICELESS VALUE OF WISDOM [15 “It cannot be purchased for gold, nor can silver be weighed for its price. 16 It cannot be

valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire. 17 Neither gold nor crystal can

equal it, nor can it be exchanged for jewelry of fine gold. 18 No mention shall be made of

coral or quartz, for the price of wisdom is above rubies. 19 The topaz of Ethiopia cannot

equal it, nor can it be valued in pure gold.”]

In Job’s discourse on the priceless value of wisdom he compares it with the riches of gold and

silver and basically says there is no comparison.

[It cannot be gotten for gold, , nor can silver be weighed for its price] The word rendered

“gold” in this verse is the Hebrew word “cegowr” and is derived from “caagar”, which

properly means to “shut up or enclosed”. This word is used only one other time in Hos. 13:8

in the context of the graphic description of the LORD’S judgment on Israel where it is

translated “rib cage or chest”.

Thus, in the context of precious metals, Job is using this word to describe something

extremely valuable that one would normally secure, cover, in a safe. It is a reference to the

most precious of gold; highly refined, very fine gold—24-carat gold!

WISDOM cannot be bought with pure gold nor can enough silver ever be weighed12

on a

balance scale to purchase it!

You can’t purchase WISDOM with either the purest gold or silver. This message is testified to

by the fact that the paving material in the NEW JERUSALEM is pure gold {Rev. 21:21}—it has

no value relative value in Heaven!

[It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir13

…] The Bible routinely speaks of the “gold of

Ophir” as the most precious gold. Refer to 1 Ki. 9:28; 10:11; 22:48; 1 Chron. 29:4; 2

Chron. 8:18; 9:10.

Even the most precious gold in the world cannot buy WISDOM.

[…with the precious onyx] The onyx is a semi-precious stone along with jasper, citrine, agate

and chalcedony. All of these stones are varieties of quartz depending on the presence of trace

amounts of iron, manganese or titanium.

[…or the sapphire] This is the same as in v.6; the semi-precious stone lapis lazuli.

[Neither gold nor crystal can equal it] The word Hebrew word rendered “crystal” in this verse

is found no where else in the Old Testament, it is used only here. The word means

“transparency” and is derived from another Hebrew word that properly means “to be clean or

pure”; i.e., “transparent”.

12

Before the advent of coinage, it was common to weigh precious metals for payment of goods and services. 13

Ophir is believed to have been located in SW Arabia in what is now known as Yemen, and it may have also included a part of the adjacent African coast. Yemen was famous for its gold mines, which are known to have still existed in the ninth century B.C. Ophir was visited by the trading fleet of Solomon and the Phoenicians. Solomon's navy was fitted out at Ezion-Geber, then traveled to Ophir, taking "four hundred and twenty talents of gold from there" {1 Ki. 9:26-28}. In exchange for copper, Solomon's refinery fleet brought back not only the fine gold of Ophir but silver, apes, ivory, and peacocks {1 Kings 10:22}. The gold of Ophir garnished Solomon's armor, throne, Temple, and house of the forest of Lebanon {1 Ki.10:14-19}.



Although quartz crystals vary in opacity from milky white to transparent, Job has already mentioned a

form of it, the onyx [other variations include amethyst, jasper, citrine, agate, opal and chalcedony] so

that is probably not what is meant here.

The only gemstone that is clear as glass is the diamond and that is what I believe Job is referring to

here.

He is saying that besides gold, not even diamonds can compare with the value of WISDOM.

[… nor can it be exchanged for jewelry of fine gold] WISDOM cannot be exchanged for the

abundance of ornaments made of pure gold that were worn by women.

[No mention shall be made of coral] The Hebrew word rendered “coral” here is “raamah” and

is derived from another Hebrew word which means “to rise or be lifted up”. It occurs only

here and in Ez. 27:16.

Thus, the word has been associated with variety of coral that grows in abundance in the Red

Sea, which rises up from underwater rock formations. Even today, coral is valued14

for its

unique color and structure, and when polished is as beautiful as any gemstone.

However, the Hebrew word could simply suggest that which was “exalted in value”, or of

great price and it is uncertain what particular material Job meant to apply it to.

[or quartz] The Hebrew word rendered “quartz”, or “pearls” in some translations, occurs

nowhere else, although a related word is found in Ezek. 13:11,13; 38:22, where it refers to

hail-stones, or pieces of ice. The Hebrew word itself is derived from a root word which

means “to freeze”, thus it is associated with ice and here with crystals of quartz which can

resemble ice [see Figure 28-3].

Quartz indeed can resemble either the translucent whiteness of a hailstone or the transparency of ice.

Although quartz is relatively abundant [SiO2], occurring in a variety of forms [as already discussed],

when it is carved and polished it becomes an object of beauty and value [see Figure 28-6].

[for the price of wisdom is above rubies] The ruby is a precious stone of aluminum oxide [AlO2]

with a trace of chromium, which gives it its distinctive deep red color. The ruby is next in hardness to

the diamond, and approaches it in value. It grows as a crystal and is attached to metamorphic rock

[see Figure 28-4].

The cost of WISDOM is far greater than rubies. Note what Solomon writes in Prov. 8:10-11:

“Receive my instruction, and not silver and knowledge rather than choice gold; for wisdom is better than rubies and all the things one may desire cannot be compared with her.”

[The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it] The topaz is a precious stone comprised of a silicate

mineral [i.e., quartz] with aluminum and fluorine [Al2SiO4(F,OH)2] and can range in color

from brownish-yellow, wine red, pink [rare], yellowish-green, to light blue and be transparent

or opaque. Like the ruby, it also grows as a crystal and is attached to metamorphic rock [see

Figure 28-5].

The Hebrew word “piTdah” rendered “topaz” occurs in Ex. 28:17; 39:10; Ezek. 28:13 and in

this place only. It is uniformly rendered topaz. It is possible that the English word “topaz”,

and the Greek “topazion” are derived from this, by a slight transposition of the letters-[T-p-d-

h]. Both the Latin and Greek versions of the Old Testament render this word as “topaz”.

14

The rarest of coral, black coral, for example, grows slowly in deep sea colonies over 100 feet deep and takes up to 50 years to mature. Jewelry made out of polished black coral is very expensive due to its limited supply.



Evidently, during Job’s time Ethiopia was known for the topaz that was mined there. Even

today the topaz is prized by jewelers and is considered one of the more beautiful of the

gemstones.

Figure 28-3a. Quartz Crystals. Figure 28-3b. Citrine Quartz. (photo credit J.J. Harrison) (photo credit Jano; Rotterdam, Nederlands)

Figure 28-4. Ruby Crystals. Figure 28-5. Topaz Crystals. (photo credit Steve Kinkaid) (photo credit US Gov. archives)

Thus, Job has pretty much exhausted the items that men value for their costliness, beauty and

desirability, only to conclude that nothing is equal to nor can come close to WISDOM’s value!

“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?”—Matt. 16:26-27



Figure 28-6. Pitcher Carved From Rock Quartz (Fatimid Caliphate ~1000 AD). (photo credit Marie-Lan Nguyen)

Job has convincingly established the fact, as Solomon does in the Proverbs, that WISDOM is

“priceless” and therefore it cannot be purchased by any precious thing man can mine from the

earth. It has no price tag and it’s not for sale so that all the most precious materials in the

world cannot equal it.

Which leads to Job’s next question……………

vv. 20-25� THE SOURCE OF WISDOM & UNDERSTANDING IS GOD ALONE [20 “From where then does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding? 21 It is

hidden from the eyes of all living and concealed from the birds of the air. 22 Destruction and

Death say, ‘We have heard a report about it with our ears’. 23 God understands its way and

He knows its place. 24 For He looks to the ends of the earth and sees under the whole

heavens, 25 to establish a weight for the wind and apportion the waters by measure.”]

Job repeats the two rhetorical questions he asked earlier {v.12}: (1) “From where then does

wisdom come?” and (2) “And where is the place of understanding?”.

We can get a better understanding of what the Bible means by “wisdom” and understanding

by looking at how these words are used. Perhaps the best verse related to this is:

“The Lord by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding He established the heavens…” — Prov. 3:19

We see in this verse that wisdom and understanding are the basis of both intelligence and

science. The Universe and everything in it had to planned out and designed. This took great

intellect—infinitely more than the created minds of all the geniuses that ever lived.

This is the main reason that God and man are at “war” with each other: The “natural”,

unsaved man, does not want to acknowledge that God alone is the source of all wisdom and

knowledge. Man wants to think he is the source of creativity and intelligence, that wisdom

and knowledge reside in him alone. That he is the “master of his own destiny”.



Perhaps the best known example of this was uttered by an employee of the White Star Line at

the launch of the Titanic on May 31, 1911: “Not even God Himself could sink this ship”.

This of course is in direct conflict with the teaching of God’s word so it is little wonder that

man, who is a created being, will never find true wisdom and knowledge from within, self-

effort or with any “self-help” exercise.

[It is hidden from the eyes of all living…] Although WISDOM cannot be purchased by

anything considered precious by man, it must be understood by faith:

And the disciples came and said to Him, "Why do You speak to them in parables?" He answered and said to them, “Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For whoever has, to him more will be given, and he will have abundance; but whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken away from him. Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand”……All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet

15, saying: “I will open My mouth in parables; I will utter things kept secret from the

foundation of the world.” —Matt. 13:10-14, 34-35

And its true source much be acknowledged:

However, we speak wisdom among those who are mature, yet not the wisdom of this age, nor of the rulers of this age, who are coming to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God ordained before the ages for our glory, which none of the rulers of this age knew; for had they known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But as it is written

16: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things

which God has prepared for those who love Him”. But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For

17 "who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But

we have the mind of Christ.—1 Cor. 2:6-16

[…and concealed from the birds of the air] Birds, as diligent and free as they are, cannot give

WISDOM to man.

[Destruction and Death say, ‘We have heard a report about it with our ears’] Job has

mentioned “Destruction” before in Job 26:6. It is the Hebrew word “Abaddon” which means

“perishing”. “Death” is just that, the separation of man’s soul/spirit from his body.

Destruction is a reference to effect that Sheol has on the souls men who are unsaved. It is

equivalent to the Greek term “Apollyon” in the New Testament {see Rev. 9:11}. In that case it

is associated with the “bottomless pit” or “abyss”. In either case, it refers to a place of torment

and hopelessness, where all is lost.

15

Psalms 78:2. 16

Isaiah 64:4. 17

Isaiah 40:13.



Job is saying that even in the farthest places from earth, the abode of the dead, has heard the

report of wisdom, i.e., a rumor of it. They had only heard of it but the implication is that they

did not fully understand WISDOM.

Thus, even if a living man could enter and return from that foreboding place, he would not be

able to get any information about WISDOM.

[God understands its way and He knows its place.] Only God understands the nature of

WISDOM and knows how it fits into the scheme of things. This should not be surprising since

as the Creator, He is the source of WISDOM.

Ultimately, this has crucial implication to the Gospel message of Salvation:

For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written

18: “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring

to nothing the understanding of the prudent”. Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the disputer of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world through wisdom did not know God, it pleased God through the foolishness of the message preached to save those who believe. For Jews request a sign, and Greeks seek after wisdom; but we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.— 1 Cor. 1:18-25

[For He looks to the ends of the earth and sees under the whole heavens…] Since God is the

Creator of the Universe, it makes sense that He looks to the ends of the earth and He sees

under the whole heavens.

[…to establish a weight for the wind and apportion the waters by measure] As God looks to

and fro across heaven and earth, He establishes the collective weight to the expanse we refer

to as the atmosphere, and the expanse we call the ocean.

The object of Job’s detailed discourse on mining operations is to show that wisdom cannot be purchased by all the precious metals and gemstones that can be extracted from the deepest recesses of the earth to which man can penetrate, nor obtained by

human effort or technology, as extensive as they may be.

WISDOM comes only from God alone.

vv. 26-28� GOD DEFINES WHAT WISDOM IS

[26 “When He made a law for the rain and a path for the thunderbolt, 27 then He saw

wisdom and declared it; He prepared it, indeed, He searched it out. 28 And to man He said,

‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom and to depart from evil is understanding’.”]

Job makes another statement {ref. Job 26:8} related to meteorology19

.

[When He made a law for the rain…] Rain does not come by chance or happen-stance. God

designed and created the processes that regulate the way that rain is made and falls on the

earth. The rain cycle operates under regular and settled scientific “laws”; we refer to it as a

“law, or statute, of nature”.

18

Isaiah 29:14. 19

The scientific study of the earth’s atmosphere.



The details of scientific laws as they’re understood today were probably not understood

perfectly during Job’s time, but it could be observed that the rain cycle followed a regular

pattern. Note:

“…..then I will give you the rain for your land in its season, the early rain and the latter rain, that you may gather in your grain, your new wine, and your oil.”—Deut. 11:14-15

Elsewhere we are told:

“Ask the Lord for rain in the time of the spring rain. The Lord will make flashing clouds; He will give them showers of rain, grass in the field for everyone.”—Zech 10:1

I will call to the Lord, and He will send thunder and rain.”—1 Sam 12:17

Evidently people during Job’s day knew that the evaporation of water [i.e., fog and clouds]

was involved in the rain making process for Elihu will later declare:

“For He draws up drops of water, which distill as rain from the mist, which the clouds drop down and pour abundantly on man.”— Job 36:27-28

This fact that God made the rain cycle, and it was orderly, was sufficient to show that God

was qualified to impart wisdom and that He was not a unpredictable or unreliable, in a word,

God is not capricious.

There’s a hint here that Job knew that God could still be trusted despite the fact that he did not

understand why he was suffering and frustrated by the fact he had no answers.

[…and a path for the thunderbolt] Literally, “the lightning20

of the thunder”. Along with

the law God made for the rain, Job knew that rain was associated with lightening [which

makes a loud and frightening noise] and there is a “path” [lit. “a way”] for it.

It is now a known scientific fact21

that the electrostatic discharge, i.e., a lightning bolt,

precipitates rain as it accelerates the formation of water droplets on the dust that’s in the air.

It is also known that the build-up of an electrostatic charge between the ground and cloud

actually creates a “path of least resistance” for the electric charge to flow.

[then He saw wisdom and declared it] The Hebrew word rendered “declared” in this verse

properly means “to score with a mark” as in keeping a record.

King Solomon’s discourse on WISDOM bears a striking similarity to what Job says here in the

way he personifies WISDOM:

“When He prepared the heavens, I [wisdom] was there, when He drew a circle on the face of the deep, when He established the clouds above, when He strengthened the fountains of the deep, when He assigned to the sea its limit, so that the waters would not transgress His command, when He marked out the foundations of the earth, then I [WISDOM] was beside Him as a master craftsman.”— Prov. 8:27-30

Thus, after observing and evaluating His work of creation, in weighing out the winds and

measuring out the water in the oceans {vv.24-25}, in making the physical processes that

govern the rain and lightening, God saw WISDOM and gave it a “score”—God defined WISDOM

as the greatest possession that man can have!

20

From a Hebrew word meaning “an arrow”, which is typical of the forking pattern of lightening. 21

The science of the study of lightening is called “fulminology”.



[He prepared it, indeed, He searched it out] As a consequence, God prepared [lit. “erected”]

WISDOM with “penetrating inquiry”, God examined it intimately before He presented it to man.

God thoroughly examined WISDOM and has defined it for us since we are incapable of doing

that.

[And to man He said…..] Job may be referring all the way back to Adam and Eve, when God

demonstrated that it is imperative to trust and fear the Lord if one is to have wisdom.

[‘the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom’] The Hebrew word “Lord” here is Adonaay or Adonai

and identifies God as our Master, the one who owns us and sustains us.

The fear of the Lord means that we put God first in all areas of our life—no amount of

precious metals or gemstones can do that. It is a choice we make by faith and we live by

faith.

Although he lived more than 1000 years later, King Solomon echoes the words of Job22

:

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction”.—Prov. 1:8

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.”—Prov. 9:10

Application: True wisdom is associated with a proper regard, respect and reverence of God—He alone is to be worshipped and adored. And the practical application of that is complete submission to him.

Science cannot devise a clever experiment to discover wisdom or explain to us the infinite power and glory of God. It cannot disclose to us what we wish to know about God.

And nothing of value, the precious metals and gemstones, that man can dig up from underneath the earth can purchase this wisdom—a personal relationship with the God and Lord that created us, loves us and died for us!

[and to depart from evil is understanding] Job declares that if one wants to have

understanding [lit. “separate or distinguish mentally”] they have to depart from [lit. “turn off”],

evil. Thus, desiring and following after WISDOM is a choice of the will—it is the wise choice.

Any of the precious commodities that are mined from the earth, which are obtained through

extensive labor, tenacity and diligence, cannot compare, cannot equal, cannot purchase the

priceless “commodity” of WISDOM.

“He who keeps instruction is in the way of life, but he who refuses correction goes astray.” —Prov. 10:17

“Now you shall say to this people, ‘Thus says the Lord: Behold, I set before you the way of life and the way of death’.”—Jer. 21:8

"See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments…..” — Deut. 30:15-16

Although he is perplexed and frustrated, this is the conclusion that Job is left with in all his

trouble, pain and suffering. And here his heart seems to find some modicum of rest.

22

See also Psalms 111:10.



Table 28-1. The Major Themes Repeated in Job’s Responses

First Round of Speeches

Theme 1st

Speech 2nd

Speech 3rd

Speech

Disappointment in his friends 6:14-30 ― 12:1-6; 13:1-12

Declaration of God’s greatness ― 9:1-12 12:7-25

Disillusionment with God’s ways 7:11-19 9:13-10:17 ―

Despair with life (or desire to die)

6:8-13; 7:1-10 10:18-22 14:1-22

Desire for vindication with God 7:20-21

Bild

ad’s

Re

spo

nse

8:1

-22

―

Zo

ph

ar’s R

espo

nse

11

:1-2

0

13:13-19

Elip

haz’ R

espo

nse

15:1

-35

Second Round of Speeches

Theme 1st

Speech 2nd

Speech 3rd

Speech

Disappointment in his friends 16:1-5; 17:3-5 19:1-4 21:1-6

Declaration of God’s greatness ― 19:28-29 21:19-22

Disillusionment with God’s ways 16:6-17 19:5-22 21:7-18, 23-24


17:6-16 ― ―

Desire for vindication with God 16:18-17:2 Bild

ad’s

Re

spo

nse

18

:1-2

1

19:23-27 Zo

ph

ar’s R

espo

nse

20

:1-2

9

― Elip

haz’ R

espo

nse

22:1

-30

Third Round of Speeches

Theme 1st

Speech 2nd

Speech

Disappointment in his friends ― 26:1-4

Declaration of God’s greatness 23:8-17 26:5-14; 27; 28

Disillusionment with God’s ways 24:1-17 ―


― 29:1-30:31

Desire for vindication with God 23:1-7 Bild

ad’s

Re

spo

nse

25

:1-6

31:1-40

Eli

hu

Sp

ea

ks

Ch

ap

ters

32

—3

7

Th

e L

OR

D S

pe

aks

Ch

ap

ters

38

—4

1



Bibliography

(1) New Unger's Bible Dictionary, Moody Press of Chicago, Illinois. © 1988.

(2) Nelson’s Bible Dictionary; Thomas Nelson Publishers, © 1986.

(3) Bible Knowledge Commentary/New Testament, Cook Communications Ministries;

Copyright © 1983, 2000.

(4) Barnes Notes,

(5) Thru the Bible Commentary: Poetry (Job), Vol. 16; J. Vernon McGee, Thomas

Nelson; Nashville. ©1991.

(6) Vincent’s Word Studies of the New Testament, Hendrickson Publishers, Copyright ©

1886.

(7) Wycliffe Bible Commentary, edited by Charles F. Pfeiffer, Everett F. Harrison, Moody

Publishers, Copyright ©1962.

(8) New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew

Dictionary, International Bible Translators, Inc; Copyright © 1994, 2003.

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