Digging for wisdom

“But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? Man does not know its value, Nor is it found in the land of the living…And to man He said, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, And to depart from evil is understanding.' - Job 28v12-13, 28

This chapter begins with a wonderful picture of the depths people go to in order to mine precious metals – ‘Surely there is a mine for silver, And a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, And copper is smelted from ore. Man puts an end to darkness, And searches every recess For ore in the darkness and the shadow of death. He breaks open a shaft away from people; In places forgotten by feet They hang far away from men; They swing to and fro.’

When I read this I am reminded of a group of people called ‘The ‘49ers.’ When gold was discovered at Sutter’s Mill in California in 1848 word got out quickly. Suddenly it seemed that everyone wanted to go to California. Nearly 100,000 people moved there in 1848-1849. San Francisco was a sleepy hamlet of 800 in 1848. A year later the population was 80,000. Since most of this activity took place in 1849, these people are referred to as ‘the 49ers.’

These folks were crazy for gold. The gold rush obsessed them. They came by every means available. It took some up to nine month to get there. The whole world was affected. Many came from Europe and Asia to get their precious gold.

Once they got there the work was hard, but they had to get their gold so they did it. Most failed in their quest to find gold, but many made fortunes provided goods and services for the gold seekers.

The 49ers are a clear illustration of man’s desire for precious minerals. Man will do anything and sacrifice anything in his pursuit of them.

But what about wisdom? What will man do to find wisdom? Man does not know the value of wisdom. He does not pursue it with the same kind of intensity that he does gold and silver.

True wisdom is found in knowing God and standing in awe of Him. It is found in reverential fear of offending Him. Understanding is found in departing from evil. We know that we find the source of true wisdom in His word.

I have to ask myself if I pursue true wisdom with the same intensity that the 49ers pursued the California gold. Am I willing to sacrifice it all in order to dig out godly wisdom?