‏ Job 28

* Concerning wordly wealth. (1-11) Wisdom is of inestimable

value. (12-19) Wisdom is the gift of God. (20-28)

1-11 Job maintained that the dispensations of Providence were

regulated by the highest wisdom. To confirm this, he showed of

what a great deal of knowledge and wealth men may make

themselves masters. The caverns of the earth may be discovered,

but not the counsels of Heaven. Go to the miners, thou sluggard

in religion, consider their ways, and be wise. Let their courage

and diligence in seeking the wealth that perishes, shame us out

of slothfulness and faint-heartedness in labouring for the true

riches. How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! How much

easier, and safer! Yet gold is sought for, but grace neglected.

Will the hopes of precious things out of the earth, so men call

them, though really they are paltry and perishing, be such a

spur to industry, and shall not the certain prospect of truly

precious things in heaven be much more so? 12-19 Job here speaks of wisdom and understanding, the knowing

and enjoying of God and ourselves. Its worth is infinitely more

than all the riches in this world. It is a gift of the Holy

Ghost which cannot be bought with money. Let that which is most

precious in God's account, be so in ours. Job asks after it as

one that truly desired to find it, and despaired of finding it

any where but in God; any way but by Divine revelation. 20-28 There is a two-fold wisdom; one hid in God, which is

secret, and belongs not to us; the other made known by him, and

revealed to man. One day's events, and one man's affairs, have

such reference to, and so hang one upon another, that He only,

to whom all is open, and who sees the whole at one view, can

rightly judge of every part. But the knowledge of God's revealed

will is within our reach, and will do us good. Let man look upon

this as his wisdom, To fear the Lord, and to depart from evil.

Let him learn that, and he is learned enough. Where is this

wisdom to be found? The treasures of it are hid in Christ,

revealed by the word, received by faith, through the Holy Ghost.

It will not feed pride or vanity, or amuse our vain curiosity.

It teaches and encourages sinners to fear the Lord, and to

depart from evil, in the exercise of repentance and faith,

without desiring to solve all difficulties about the events of

this life.