Silver and gold lie in the depths of the earth. To what length will man go to obtain this wealth? Job provides an answer to that question in chapter 28:1-11 as he describes the mining and refining process:
Job says all this to make his point: few seek wisdom as they seek wealth. Wisdom, the greatest treasure, lies barely mined by man. Why? Because man, on bended knee, has to come to God to obtain it, "God understands its way, and He knows its place. For He looks to the ends of the earth, and sees under the whole heavens" (Job 28:23-24).
Two trees stood in the garden of Eden. The tree of life offered its fruit to man, but he ate of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil instead. The pursuit of prosperity (really, anything but God) instead of wisdom has haunted man ever since. The foolish man spends his entire life in pursuit of earthly treasure.
Job's discourse on earthly wealth and the wisdom of God teaches a number of truths:
God offers His wisdom to those who pursue Him. It takes real spiritual hunger and hyper-diligence to fight the rushing current of a world gone mad in earthly pursuits.
How has the "counsel" of Job's friends altered his relationship with them?
What character of God does Job tenaciously cling to in spite of his suffering physically and socially?
How does Job describe those who are wealthy, but alienated from God?
What does Job communicate to his friends regarding God's wisdom?
IN THIS SECTION
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