Job Chapters 22 - 28 - Wisdom - Nov. 20, 2005

Sunday School Lesson – Look to GOD for Wisdom – November 20, 2005

This is lesson three (3) in our series “When Life Cave’s in”.

Our background scripture is Job 22:1 – 28:28

Our focus scripture is Job 28:12-19; 23-28.

Our lesson today is on wisdom. Wisdom is something most of us desire and seek. The world offers its’ wisdom. We take courses or read self-help books hoping to obtain wisdom. We seek wise counsel.

I have prayed for wisdom as stated in James. It is like some other things we pray for; often GOD does not grant a request instantly. It is a process of building our character or preparing us to be able to exercise wisdom. I am still in the process.

In James 1:5 we find:
5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him.

I have heard wisdom described as “Knowledge applied to GOD’S plan”.

Knowledge alone often gives cold comfort. True wisdom “can” guide one through life and console one through troubled times when one knows GOD.

Notice the word “can”. The difference in using “can” and “will” is based upon our relationship with GOD through CHRIST. Which word we apply, “can” or “will”, to our life’s circumstances also depends upon how we interpret and understand the word “know”.
Have we committed our life to CHRIST and allowed THE HOLY SPIRIT to teach us and build the relationship with GOD such that we really “know” GOD and not just “know” about GOD?

I find based upon my past concepts or notions of what I thought GOD should be still shape some of my thinking and expectations of what and how GOD should respond to certain situations. It often results in disappointment until I confess it to GOD and ask HIM to help me understand a situation, if possible. (I may not be mature enough spiritually to comprehend an explanation at this time in my life.)

In Job 28: 1-11, Job discusses man’s search for wealth using illustrations regarding mining for gold and gems. This is Job’s response after his friends have gone through two (2) cycles of dialogue with Job. On each occasion his friends continue to tell Job his suffering is the result of sin. Job’s friends become frustrated and angry with Job. Contrary to his friends, Job becomes stronger and his friends become weaker.

The theme in Job 28 is “Where can wisdom be found?”

Most of us search for and desire true “wisdom”. Let’s fast forward to the last scripture in today’s study to see what Job finds in his search.

Job tells us in Job 28:28

28 He said to mankind, “Look! The • fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to turn from evil is understanding.”[22]

Wisdom is to “fear of the LORD”. “Fear” is a Hebrew word used to mean “worshipful submission, reverential awe and obedient respect to GOD”. As an act of expression to show we “fear” GOD, we turn from evil.
When we know GOD cannot tolerate evil, when we truly respect GOD and have a loving intimate relationship with GOD, we turn from that which offends GOD.

GOD has revealed this to Job; of course, this is before CHRIST gave HIS life for the forgiveness of sin for mankind. Such an outward response, expressed faith in GOD thus reserving a spot, so-to-speak for the person expressing such faith, in eternity.

Our expression of faith after THE CROSS is to believe CHRIST died upon THE CROSS, ask HIM to forgive us of our sins and to ask HIM to come into our life. Then as a born-again Christian we are indwelled by THE HOLY SPIRIT as our security deposit from GOD that confirms we are HIS child. Then through the power of THE HOLY SPIRIT we are to live so the fruit of THE SPIRIT is manifested through us. This will demonstrate that we are walking with our LORD through the power of THE HOLY SPIRIT.

As a Pastor in Poland told me, remember fruit has seeds and when you produce the fruit of THE SPIRIT you are also planting seeds that will produce more fruit.

In CHRIST we have wisdom. Note the scripture in Colossians.

Colossians 2:3

3 In Him (CHRIST) all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden.

The question is, if we have CHRIST we should be brimming with wisdom? We are wise because we have been wise enough to recognize our need for GOD and we responded to GOD’S invitation to us to receive CHRIST. But this is only the beginning of our journey with CHRIST. Notice “In CHRIST all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden.”
So how do you discover hidden treasures? You study, ponder, plan and search.

Job raises the question, “Where can wisdom be found and understanding be located?” in Job 28:12. Job begins his dissertation for the search.

Job 28:12-19:

12 But where can wisdom be found, and where is understanding located? 13 No man can know its value,[8] LXX reads way since it cannot be found in the land of the living.[9] Ps 116:9; 142:5; Isa 38:11 [10] Jb 11:6; 28:20–21; Ps 44:21 14 The ocean depths say, “It’s not in me,” while the sea declares, “I don’t have it.”[11] Dt 30:11–13 15 Gold cannot be exchanged for it, and silver cannot be weighed out for its price. 16 Wisdom cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir,[12] Jb 22:24; 1 Kg 9:28; 10:11 in precious onyx or sapphire.[13] Or lapis lazuli [14] Pr 8:10; 16:16; Isa 54:11 17 Gold and glass do not compare with it, and articles of fine gold cannot be exchanged for it.[15] 1 Kg 10:21; Ps 119:72; Pr 8:19 18 Coral and quartz are not worth mentioning. The price of wisdom is beyond pearls.[16] Pr 3:15; 8:11; 20:15 19 Topaz from • Cush cannot compare with it, and it cannot be valued in pure gold.
Job’s friends argued based upon justice, tradition and reasoning to explain Job’s suffering.

We know why Job is suffering but Job himself, his friends and others outside of the heavenly council do not know. This is true with our life today. As we seek the wisdom gleaned from GOD’S WORD and prayer, we discover that true wisdom comes from an intimate loving relationship with GOD through CHRIST. It is through our yielding to GOD and the application of what we learn through our relationship with GOD that wisdom is revealed.

Job is intrigued by the ability of humans to discover the hidden wealth of earthly treasures and how we as humans place a value on these discovered treasures.

When it comes to discovering wisdom one can search every spot on earth and come up empty handed. Even if one could find wisdom how could they place a price on it as one would value other material possessions? True wisdom is priceless.

So who knows the way to wisdom and where it is located. This is like a treasure map. The “X” marks the spot. So if one wants to find wisdom go to the source - GOD. How does Job know GOD is the source of wisdom?

Let’s examine Job 28: 23-28

Jb 42:5; 1 Kg 10:1 23 But God understands the way to wisdom, and He knows its location. 24 For He looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens. 25 When God fixed the weight of the wind and limited the water by measure,[19] Gn 1:6–9; Isa 40:12 26 when He established a limit[20] Or decree for the rain and a path for the lightning,[21] Jb 38:25; Zch 10:1 27 He considered wisdom and evaluated it; He established it and examined it. 28 He said to mankind, “Look! The • fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to turn from evil is understanding.”[22]

GOD created the world. Since everything functions in the world exactly as it should and operates with precision it is obvious GOD manifests wisdom.

As we began our study, we end with verse 28. GOD says to mankind. PAY ATTENTION!!!! You did not exist until 9 months prior to your birth upon the face of earth. Where did you come from and where are you going? Could you think yourself into being? I don’t think so. Can you prevent your death? I don’t think so. You are going to die one day. Do you want to spend eternity with ME by accepting MY SON as your SAVIOR and be a child of MINE through the miracle of rebirth? Or do you want spend eternity away from ME? It is your decision.
GOD says realize you are mortal and I AM eternal and I created the world and mankind. The world around you and the way it functions should be enough for you to be in awe of ME. When you realize that all the world did not come about by random probability this is your invitation to seek ME. The scripture tells us in Matthew 7:7-11
Keep Asking, Searching, Knocking
7 “Keep asking,[3] Or Ask and it will be given to you. Keep searching,[4] Or Search and you will find. Keep knocking,[5] Or Knock and the door[6] Lit and it will be opened to you. 8 For everyone who asks receives, and the one who searches finds, and to the one who knocks, the door[7] Lit knocks, it will be opened. 9 What man among you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? 10 Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? 11 If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!

GOD is wisdom. Go to HIM with all your questions and concerns.

As I studied Job I was intrigued with how much of the knowledge of the working of the world is revealed. This is roughly 2000 B.C.

As we build a loving intimate relationship with GOD, our FATHER, then we will trust HIM in all matters of life. We were not created for time but for eternity. Job says in Job 13:15 15 Even if He kills me, I will hope in Him.[12] Other Hb mss read I will be without hope I will still defend my ways before Him.[13] Jb 5:8; 23:3–7

Be wise and commit your life to CHRIST today. An exciting journey is waiting as you walk with GOD in the cool of the evening and as you walk down the road we call life.

This is the day THE LORD has made rejoice and be glad in it, again I say rejoice!