The Value of Wisdom
We continue to have some gloomy weather. But the rain is good and needed. After attending my morning prayer connection with other leaders and elected officials, I had a massage. By that time, I needed a nap. It has actually been a lethargic type of day. I may be still getting caught up from the weekend and a full day on Monday.
Last week I received a call from Christian and found that my friend Steve Decker had stopped by their house. Steve in his spare time designed and built a stone wall for us in our backyard. It is still standing! It is really quite a feat considering the angles that he worked with. I’m glad that Christian and Bridget are in the home, because Steve designed it for entertaining; or at least kids having fun on all the slopes. He had dug the contour of the wall and hauled stones down from the mountains. On the final day in 1995 when he finished the wall he wrote a tux shirt and tie to commemorate the occasion.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… Wisdom is not to be found among mortals; No one knows its true value.…The value of wisdom is more than coral or crystal or rubies. The finest topaz and the purest gold cannot compare with the value of wisdom.…God alone knows the way, knows the place where wisdom is found, because he sees the ends of the earth, sees everything under the sky...“To be wise, you must have reverence for the Lord. To understand, you must turn from evil.” Job 28:13-28
When it comes to human suffering, you think of the Book of Job. When you think of wisdom and precepts for living you think of Proverbs and the words of King Solomon. So, it is interesting to find a lengthy discourse on the “value and source of wisdom” in the Book of Job.
Since Job lived hundreds of years before Solomon, we see the age old importance and the divine value and priority on wisdom. Wisdom is to be valued. Wisdom is to be sought. Wisdom has a source. As in Proverbs, so it is in this chapter of Job that we see these three topics related to wisdom.
Wisdom is undervalued. We see the words, “no one know [wisdom’s] true value.” The first part of the chapter is a lengthy description of the efforts it takes to look for and mine precious stones and metals. People will work hard and risk their lives; yet wisdom is of greater value than the most precious stone. Wisdom is not found, it is not discovered, it is acquired.
Wisdom is to be sought. The question in Job 28 is, “…where can wisdom be found?” Just as a person will spend time effort and energy to find gold and precious stones, so is the call to seek for wisdom. It is interesting that Proverbs says, “Wisdom shouts in the streets…” (Prov. 1:20) Solomon says, “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom…” (Prov. 4:7) This indicates to me that wisdom should be a priority and is more readily available than we believe. The challenge is to know it source.
Wisdom is found in the Lord. Wisdom is of great value, it is to be sought and acquired, but true wisdom is only found in the Lord. “God alone knows…the place where wisdom is found…” So to have wisdom, we must know the Lord, we must seek Him and walk in His ways. “To be wise, you must have reverence for the Lord.” Solomon said, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” (Prov. 9:10)
All wisdom and insight comes from the Lord, even when people don’t recognize it. God is the source of wisdom and understanding. Paul said, “For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.” (1 Cor. 1:25)
Since God alone knows the way to wisdom. The wise are those who follow and stay close to the Lord. The wisdom the Lord gives provides not only insight into life, but direction into how to live as well.