Where Can I Buy Some Wisdom?

Good morning and welcome to Our Daily Walk.

I have yet to meet the wisest person in the world, but I have certainly met many who easily surpassed me in wisdom. I have listened to a speaker before and became awestruck of his wisdom on the given subject. What did he do to become so wise? Who taught him, or was he just naturally inclined to understand these things? Where can one find what the wise already have? Oh, if we could only just go to the store and buy the amount of wisdom we needed! But, of course, real wisdom is not so easily obtained.

The story of Job shows us various aspects of the wisdom and understanding that man desires to obtain. Chapter 28 of that book shows how man’s ingenuity is unable to grasp wisdom, and his wealth can not purchase understanding.

The chapter begins with an oddly placed description of man’s genius in mining for precious metals and jewels. Unlike the birds of the air that have superior eyesight, or the beasts of the field that have great power, man is able to perceive value within the earth and devises ways of obtaining it.

This is an odd insertion since there is no other mention of mining in the discourses between Job and his friends. However, the point being made is that even though man can tunnel deep within the earth, stop the flow of underground streams, dangle suspended from ropes as they free valuables from the earth, man can not “figure out” wisdom alone.

In verses 12 and 20 one finds similar questions being presented. “But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?

If man can not use his own ingenuity to learn wisdom, perhaps he can use his wealth to purchase it. But the second section of this poem laid that hope to rest as well. None of the precious stones or metals can be placed in comparison with wisdom and understanding. They can be obtained, but they are not for purchase.

Job asks in verse 20, “From where then does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding?” If one can not find wisdom through sifting through the earth nor from purchasing it with valuable items, then where can wisdom be found?

The passage continues saying that wisdom is not found in the land of the living, the deep, or in the sea. Destruction and Death have heard a rumor of wisdom, but they do not possess it. We are left with the conclusion that only in God can man find true wisdom and understanding.

The Lord defines wisdom and understanding as He speaks to man in verse 28 saying, “Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding.” That is so simple, yet so many people will never realize the power of that definition. True wisdom comes from God. His ways are always the best ways.

To fully appreciate and understand true wisdom we need to turn away from evil. Many people have tried to be righteous and still follow after the ways of the devil. That is not only hypocritical, but betrays another basic truth from the Bible. Jesus said in Matthew 6:24, “No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.”

Yes, some people excel in various topics and are even referred to as experts. But in a single glance, God surveys the earth and perfectly fathoms all of the wisdom of the world, while we, as mere mortals, spend a lifetime looking around and scarcely are able to find but only a portion of it. Our “wisdom” pales in comparison to His.

All of man’s advances and intellectual achievements can not provide a full explanation of what we wish to know about God. Neither can our valuables be exchanged for wisdom and understanding. But real wisdom consists of being in a relationship with God where one obeys, submits, worships and serves our Lord, and refrains from evil.

In Our Daily Walk today may we always have an open mind for learning and may we always seek wisdom from God. As we open our Bibles daily, may we anticipate learning something that will equip us for the day’s challenges.

Our thought for the day: “A wise man knows more than he tells, but a fool often tells more than he knows.”

May God bless you on your daily walk.