Wisdom

Wisdom

God surely knows where [wisdom] can be found, for he looks throughout the whole earth, under all the heavens. He made the winds blow and determined how much rain should fall. He made the laws of the rain and prepared a path for the lightning. Then, when he had done all this, he saw wisdom and measured it. He established it and examined it thoroughly. And this is what he said to all humanity: “The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is real understanding.”

Job 28:23-28

One of my favorite books in the Bible is Job. A wealthy and upright man, Job found his integrity being tested. His sons and daughters were killed, his flocks were driven away, and he developed a terrible skin disease. Job’s life had hit bottom. The rug seemed to have been pulled out from underneath him, and he had to decide how to respond.

Three of Job’s friends offered their interpretations of his problems. Although it was kind of them to visit him, their idea of wisdom left something to be desired. The advice he received from Eliphaz was, in a nutshell, “I have seen firsthand how God works, and I have him figured out!” Eliphaz thought wisdom was gained by observing and experiencing life. Job’s second friend, Bildad, believed wisdom was inherited from history. He reasoned, “Our forefathers figured God out, and all we have to do is use their knowledge.” Zophar, the third friend, thought wisdom belonged to a select few. His attitude was, “You’re lucky to have a friend who knows what God is like, because there aren’t many of us around.”

The comments about wisdom that ring true with me are the words spoken above by Job, the one who was tested and came away from incredibly difficult circumstances with even stronger faith. Unlike his friends, Job knew that God is the source of all wisdom and that the first step toward wisdom is to fear God. Job knew the secret: God gives wisdom to people who humbly trust him.

God of wisdom,

With the responsibility of guiding our children, we feel our need for wisdom daily. Like Job, please help us to look up to you for wisdom and help. Because wisdom is found in you, may we humbly trust you. Amen.