Wisdom Among the Living

“God alone understands the way to wisdom; he knows where it can be found, for he looks throughout the whole earth and sees everything under the heavens…Then he saw wisdom and evaluated it. He set it in place and examined it thoroughly. And this is what he says to all humanity: ‘The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.”‭‭Job‬ ‭28‬:‭23‬-‭24‬, ‭27‬-‭28‬ ‭NLT‬‬

We seem to be searching for truths. In some cases we find it and in others we find a masquerade of truths.  In the verses above it’s says “He set it in place and examined it thoroughly.” Why do you think God examined it thoroughly? I would venture to guess, because he knew it would be something very valuable, a marker of true fear of the lord and sought after. Everyone would want it and yet everyone would not have access to it . God would need to make sure it was untouchable, unmoved, and pure. It would need to be something we can’t finagle and change as we see fit. 

What is wisdom? It is an abstract concept that you can’t hold except in the eyes of the broken and humble, the patient and paused. There is a kindness behind the eyes of wisdom and yet a stealthy fear that proceeds with caution. Wisdom, true wisdom, is found with hearts that are humble, and have an understanding of the brevity of taking it on oneself. God is so big, so large that even HE examines concepts such as wisdom. Wisdom is the ability to take a step back and see God’s vantage point in part and staying still to see it in full. Wisdom keeps us from moving more quickly than the Lord, keeping in time with the Lord’s steps. Wisdom is the catalyst to integrity but requires a Holy Spirit kind of self control to get there. Wisdom while all alone holds weight, can be void without integrity. Because when we pause we have to stand by that pause fully knowing our creator will show us the next moment. Integrity is what is birthed from having Godly wisdom and right mind. 

When you think you have the wisdom, do you stop to ponder with your creator, seeking his face and seeking his next step? Which pause will you take? What “go moment” is he leading you towards? Are you even paused or are you hurried to the next best thing? Are you looking among the living for wisdom? If so, you’ll be scouring the earth only to come to the end empty. Living a life without godly wisdom is living a life without direction. Job knew exactly how much wisdom he had - he had none apart from his creator. 

“But do people know where to find wisdom? Where can they find understanding? No one knows where to find it, for it is not found among the living. ‘It is not here,’ says the ocean. ‘Nor is it here,’ says the sea. It cannot be bought with gold. It cannot be purchased with silver. It’s worth more than all the gold of Ophir, greater than precious onyx or lapis lazuli. Wisdom is more valuable than gold and crystal. It cannot be purchased with jewels mounted in fine gold. Coral and jasper are worthless in trying to get it. The price of wisdom is far above rubies. Precious peridot from Ethiopia cannot be exchanged for it. It’s worth more than the purest gold. “But do people know where to find wisdom? Where can they find understanding? “God alone understands the way to wisdom; he knows where it can be found, for he looks throughout the whole earth and sees everything under the heavens. He decided how hard the winds should blow and how much rain should fall. He made the laws for the rain and laid out a path for the lightning. Then he saw wisdom and evaluated it. He set it in place and examined it thoroughly. And this is what he says to all humanity: ‘The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.”‭‭Job‬ ‭28‬:‭12‬-‭20‬, ‭23‬-‭28‬ ‭NLT‬‬