Job 28:28 - How To Get Wisdom And Understanding.
Job 28:28 (KJV) The fear of the Lord, that
is wisdom; and to depart from evil is
understanding.
WORD STUDY
"The fear of the Lord" is a key theme in the
wisdom literature of the Bible (Job through Song of
Songs). It means to have respect and reverence for
God and to be in awe of his majesty and power.
This is the starting point to finding real wisdom
(see Proverbs 1:7-9). [Life Application SB]
What is wisdom? The answer is given - The
fear of the Lord. Proper recognition of God
and submission to Him is the important factor.
Humility, reverence, respect, adoration, faith - these
are aspects of the wisdom that supersedes
earthly knowledge. What is understanding? The answer
is equally clear - To depart from evil.
Understanding is more than intellectual - it is ethical.
It demands a standard of living. Reverence and
rectitude - these are the two great requirements of
God. Micah (ch. 6:8) speaks of these two
character traits as justice and mercy toward man and
humility before God. [SDA Bible Commentary]
INTRODUCTION
Wisdom begins with knowing God. He gives
insight into living because he created life. To know
God is not just to know the facts about him, but
to STAND IN AWE OF HIM AND HAVE A RELATIONSHIP
WITH HIM. Do you really want to be wise? Get to
know God better and better. [Life Application
SB]
COMMENTARY PEARL
Full wisdom - the ability to truly
understand why things happen and what they mean - is
unavailable. It is hidden. Only God sees all. It is the
height of wisdom to see that you can't attain
supreme wisdom. Moralists are sure that good people
don't suffer, but when they find that they do, the
disillusionment is deep. Cynics fortify themselves against
suffering by laughing that there is no order or
purpose to things.
But it is as foolish to think that there
is no order or purpose to things as it is to
think you can discern it if you try. The wise
approach is not simplistic. "True wisdom... refuses
all trite answers which suggest either that we
know it all or that we can know nothing." Even
though supreme wisdom is not available, practical
wisdom is, through the fear of the Lord. This gives
you basic answers about questions of meaning,
broad moral principles for guidance, and most of
all the presence of God that you will need to
get through life.
If you have the loving gaze of Jesus'
face, what other circumstances do you think you
need in order to be content? List them. Now
repent for resting in them too much.
Lord, when I visit with a person who is
bereaved or suffering, I am tempted to speak in
spiritual platitudes. Shut me up, and teach me how to
comfort the way Jesus comforts me - not with answers
for every question but just with his presence.
Amen. [Gods Wisdom for Navigating Life by
Timothy Keller with Kathy Keller re Job 28:20-24,
28]
COMMENTARY
God is perfect in His wisdom. As the sun
cannot be without light, neither can God be without
wisdom. He was wisdom originally. Men acquire wisdom
through experience; God has it by essence. He does
not have to study or gain more experience. God
has wisdom perfectly. He has absolutely no
ignorance. He has wisdom universally Men are wise in
various things. God is wise in all things. He has
wisdom perpetually. Man's wisdom fades near death.
God's Wisdom is perpetual. His wisdom is
incomprehensible. The wisdom of one man may be comprehended by
another. "Canst thou by searching find out God?" [Job
11:7] His wisdom is infallible, Even the wisest
men fall short of their goals. God never fails.
The God You Can Know by Dan DeHaan
[Inspirational SB]
In this world of confusion,
misrepresentation, and ignorance how wonderful it is for
believers to discover that their God holds wisdom,
knowledge, and understanding. We need to grasp the
omniscience, the all-knowing nature, of God and realize
that it is only through Him that we can become
wise and be taught the truth. Many run here and
there seeking guidance from so-called
professionals. What God would have us know through this
verse is that to grow wise and gain understanding,
we need to know Him! And while God can and
does use people, He very often would speak to us
through His Word or by His Spirit - if we would but
wait upon Him and listen. Do you desire wisdom
and understanding? Are you willing to DEVOTE
YOURSELF TO BIBLE STUDY AND PRAYER? Pray about it!
[In His Time; Walk With Wisdom]
CLOSING THOUGHT
What we cannot grasp, God knows completely.
Far too many people are quick to make moral
pronouncements: Gays march for pride; abortion is merely a
matter of a womans personal freedom; sex
educators distribute condoms to teens and never
mention abstinence. All loudly proclaim their
position is moral, while ignoring Gods
understanding as expressed in Scripture. The only hope is
to abandon human notions of morality and be
subject to God. [Victor Bible Readers Companion]
LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY
Job 28:28 - How To Get Wisdom And
Understanding.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2004/20041108-1056.html
Psalm 111:10 - Wisdom 101.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2011/20110516-1002.html
Proverbs 1:7 - Knowledge Begins with Respect
and Reverence for God.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240302-0821.html
Proverbs 8:13 - To Fear God And Hate Evil.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2014/20140316-1625.html
Proverbs 9:10 - Knowing God and Wisdom
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2004/20040510-0914.html
Ecclesiastes 12:13 - The Whole Duty of Man.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2024/20240109-0757.html
Micah 6:8 - What God Requires of Man.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2017/20170518-2049.html
LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT
https://abible.com/links/
