1 Surely there is a vein for the silver, and a place for gold where they fine it.
2 Iron is taken out of the earth, and brass is molten out of the stone.
3 He setteth an end to darkness, and searcheth out all perfection: the stones of darkness, and the shadow of death.
4 The flood breaketh out from the inhabitant; even the waters forgotten of the foot: they are dried up, they are gone away from men.
5 As for the earth, out of it cometh bread: and under it is turned up as it were fire.
6 The stones of it are the place of sapphires: and it hath dust of gold.
7 There is a path which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture's eye hath not seen:
8 The lion's whelps have not trodden it, nor the fierce lion passed by it.
9 He putteth forth his hand upon the rock; he overturneth the mountains by the roots.
10 He cutteth out rivers among the rocks; and his eye seeth every precious thing.
11 He bindeth the floods from overflowing; and the thing that is hid bringeth he forth to light.
12 But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding?
13 Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living.
14 The depth saith, It is not in me: and the sea saith, It is not with me.
15 It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof.
16 It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire.
17 The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold.
18 No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies.
19 The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold.
20 Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding?
21 Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air.
22 Destruction and death say, We have heard the fame thereof with our ears.
23 God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof.
24 For he looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole heaven;
25 To make the weight for the winds; and he weigheth the waters by measure.
26 When he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder:
27 Then did he see it, and declare it; he prepared it, yea, and searched it out.
28 And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.
Chapter 28 of the Book of Job in the KJV Holy Bible is a poetic reflection on the search for wisdom and understanding. It begins with Job lamenting the loss of his wealth, health, and family, and the fact that even his closest friends have turned against him. He expresses his desire to find wisdom and understanding, believing that it will bring him peace and redemption.
The main themes of Chapter 28 are the search for wisdom, the value of wisdom, and the power of God. Job reflects on the importance of wisdom and its value in life, and how it is ultimately a gift from God. He also acknowledges the limited understanding of human beings and the vastness of God's wisdom and power.
The Search for Wisdom
Job begins his reflection by acknowledging the search for wisdom as a universal desire among humans. He compares it to the search for precious metals, saying, "Surely there is a vein for the silver, and a place for gold where they fine it" (Job 28:1). Just as miners search for valuable treasures, humans search for wisdom and understanding.
Job then goes on to describe the lengths people will go to in their search for wisdom. He mentions the difficult and dangerous work of miners who dig deep into the earth in search of precious metals. He also talks about the efforts people make to obtain wisdom, saying, "He setteth an end to darkness, and searcheth out all perfection: the stones of darkness, and the shadow of death" (Job 28:3). This is a metaphor for the great lengths people will go to in their search for wisdom, even in the darkest and most dangerous places.
The Value of Wisdom
As Job continues his reflection, he emphasizes the value of wisdom. He says that it is more precious than gold, silver, and precious stones. He compares it to the price of rubies, saying, "No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies" (Job 28:18). This shows that wisdom is not something that can be bought or obtained through material wealth. It is a priceless gift from God.
Job also acknowledges that wisdom is not easily found. He says, "It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof" (Job 28:15). This further emphasizes the value of wisdom and the fact that it cannot be obtained through material possessions or efforts.
The Power of God
Throughout Chapter 28, Job emphasizes the power and wisdom of God. He acknowledges that only God has the true understanding of wisdom and the power to control it. He says, "And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding" (Job 28:28). This shows that true wisdom comes from having a reverence for God and living a righteous life.
Job also reflects on the vastness of God's wisdom and power. He says, "But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding? Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living" (Job 28:12-13). This shows that even with all our efforts and searching, we can never fully understand or obtain the wisdom and power of God.
Chapter 28 of the Book of Job holds several meanings and lessons for readers. Firstly, it serves as a reminder that wisdom is a gift from God and cannot be obtained through material possessions or efforts. It also emphasizes the importance of living a righteous life and having a reverence for God in order to obtain true wisdom.
The chapter also serves as a reflection on the limited understanding of human beings compared to the vastness of God's wisdom and power. It reminds us that we must humble ourselves and acknowledge that we can never fully comprehend the ways of God.
Furthermore, Chapter 28 serves as a warning against the pursuit of worldly wealth and possessions. It shows that true value and wisdom cannot be found in material possessions but can only be obtained through a relationship with God.
In conclusion, Chapter 28 of the Book of Job is a poetic reflection on the search for wisdom and understanding. It emphasizes the value of wisdom, the power of God, and the limited understanding of human beings. It serves as a reminder to live a righteous life and seek wisdom from God, rather than pursuing material possessions and worldly desires.
Share this page