Wrestling with Suffering: Where is Wisdom Found?

Text: Job 28:12—28 ESV

“But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?”

Job asks this question, and in doing so draws us into a much larger, timeless question. The search for wisdom has been a constant in mankind’s history. It is in almost every one of our religious texts and many of our stories. Take for instance the Epic of Gilgamesh. Written very early on, possibly close to the same time as Job, Gilgamesh is described from the beginning as one who has all wisdom. “He who has seen everything, I will make known to the lands. I will teach about him who experienced all things, alike.” (Gilgamesh, 1.1.-6) Homer’s Odyssey tells us that Odysseus was “[a] man endowed with the gods own wisdom” (Homer, 13.98-105). In 1 Kings 3:6­­–9 Solomon asks for wisdom and knowledge, and it pleases God.

This is a running question throughout Job. Job doesn’t know why he is suffering. His friends don’t know why he is suffering. And everyone wants an answer. Zophar contributes early on to the debate about wisdom back in Job 11:7­–12. He says:

““Can you find out the deep things of God? Can you find out the limit of the Almighty? It is higher than heaven—what can you do? Deeper than Sheol—what can you know? Its measure is longer than the earth and broader than the sea. If he passes through and imprisons and summons the court, who can turn him back? For he knows worthless men; when he sees iniquity, will he not consider it? But a stupid man will get understanding when a wild donkey’s colt is born a man!” (Job 11:7–12 ESV)

“‘Stupid man’ will get understanding when a wild donkey’s colt is born a man!” This is an ironic statement because Zophar is arguing that Job can’t know God’s wisdom and proclaim he is innocent, but Zophar knows that isn’t true somehow?

Job indeed acknowledges that we must look to God. Back in Job 12:12–13 he says:

““With God are wisdom and might; he has counsel and understanding.” (Job 12:12–13 ESV)

God indeed is the only one with wisdom, that Job is sure of. In fact, in our passage this morning he continues to declare that. He says:

“Man does not know its worth, and it is not found in the land of the living.” (Job 28:13 ESV)

 Conversely,

 “God understands the way to it, and he knows its place.” (Job 28:23 ESV)

Job declares just as clearly that God is the one who has all knowledge and wisdom. This makes it clear that Job isn’t ignorant of where wisdom is found. Rather, as Elihu rebukes Job in just a few chapters, he doesn’t defer to the wisdom that God has and instead tries to justify himself. This is what Don will preach on next week.

Yet Job makes a statement that we ourselves have to engage with as we read through this account. He claims man—you and me—that we don’t value wisdom rightly, nor can we find it anywhere accessible to us. Do you believe that? Do you believe that you value wisdom? Do you believe you can find it on your own?

Wisdom: Not here

Immediately after making his statement in Job 28:13, Job begins to expound on these two statements. Again, he says that wisdom is not to be found here on earth, nor do we even value it rightly. First, in Job 28:14–19 he talks about the “where” of wisdom

“The deep says, ‘It is not in me,’ and the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’”

 Second, he speaks to the value question: 

“It cannot be bought for gold, and silver cannot be weighed as its price. It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire. Gold and glass cannot equal it, nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold. No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; the price of wisdom is above pearls. The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, nor can it be valued in pure gold.” 

Job claims that we don’t realize wisdom cannot be found here. Not in the sea, not in the deeps. Is that true for you?

That is hard to accept as Americans. We have been raised to believe that anything is possible. Put a man on the moon. Build your own company from scratch that can provide almost any item people want delivered in two days via a national network of planes and vans. We are one of the main innovators for new discoveries in technology, medicine, education, and many other spheres. If you want to learn it, there is an app for that. If you want to make something new, go for it. We reward people who rely on themselves and look to find new answers to difficult problems.

That ethos often permeates beyond just the physical and business world. We often want to find the right path, the right answers in our spiritual life for ourselves. While sometimes religion becomes kitschy, our answers are seen as old and outdate because they weren’t newly discovered. People turn to the newest book, the newest podcast, the newest way to meditate. We think we can find new wisdom in our best choices, in our best life now. We want to be a part of that epic quest, to climb the mountain and find wisdom waiting for us at the top so we can bring it down to everyone else and enlighten them.

One of my kids’ favorite things to do is to get me to tell stories about my stupid endeavors as a young man. I sadly have many. My hope, as a dad, is they are hearing my stories and realizing they don’t need to make the same mistakes and can learn the lessons I learned at a younger age. I worry at times they are thinking about how they can have their own adventure and seek to find their own wisdom.

If we remember correctly, it was exactly this attitude that caused humans problems from the beginning.

“So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was to be desired to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate, and she also gave some to her husband who was with her, and he ate. Then the eyes of both were opened, and they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves loincloths.” (Genesis 3:6–7 ESV)

 In fact, there is an entire book of the Bible devoted to the idea of the fleeting pursuit of wisdom here. The book of Ecclesiastes was likely written by Solomon. Listen to how he frames the book:

“I the Preacher have been king over Israel in Jerusalem. And I applied my heart to seek and to search out by wisdom all that is done under heaven. It is an unhappy business that God has given to the children of man to be busy with. I have seen everything that is done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and a striving after wind.” (Ecclesiastes 1:12–14 ESV)

He seeks out wisdom and knowledge here on earth and finds out that it is fleeting. It is like trying to catch the wind, a mystery and vanity that he can’t hold on to. He says in Ecclesiastes 7:23–24:

““All this I have tested by wisdom. I said, “I will be wise,” but it was far from me. That which has been is far off, and deep, very deep; who can find it out?” (Ecclesiastes 7:23–24 ESV)

That isn’t to say that Solomon didn’t learn, find understanding, nor that he didn’t try to pass what he found out. But finding true wisdom here? Solomon sums up his experience in Ecclesiastes 8:16–17:

 “When I applied my heart to know wisdom, and to see the business that is done on earth, how neither day nor night do one’s eyes see sleep, then I saw all the work of God, that man cannot find out the work that is done under the sun. However much man may toil in seeking, he will not find it out. Even though a wise man claims to know, he cannot find it out.” (Ecclesiastes 8:16–17 ESV)

As the Solomon says, there is nothing new under the sun. People use sex, education, and experiences to try to find wisdom. And they fall short. True wisdom is not found here on earth. “The deep says, ‘It is not in me,’ and the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’”

What about you? In trying to make sense of your life are you seeking ultimate wisdom in worldly wisdom? Job says you won’t find it here. Are you looking for ultimate wisdom in sex, in alcohol, in drugs? Are you looking for it in your work accolades or the promise of a perfect marriage?  

Wisdom: More valuable than we realize

Job points out that we have more than just this problem. Not only are we looking for wisdom in the wrong places, but we also don’t value it rightly. My stories may be enjoyable to my kids 20 years later and talked about through a lens of maturity but what is missed in much of the retelling is the emotional pain to myself and others without wisdom. The cost: in time, money and effort because of lack of wisdom. Years stuck in sin and difficulties that were not necessary.

Job says here that wisdom is more valuable than gold, onyx, or sapphire. More than jewels. Above pearl and topaz. Do you believe that?

I agree with Job. I think we often fail at wisdom because we don’t value it enough. It falls on our list of to-dos somewhere between exercising and learning a second language. A great idea, but not crucial to our life. Maybe in our retirement we will read a little more and make some decisions. Let me give you some reasons from Proverbs as to why we need to value wisdom. Proverbs 3:13–18:

 Blessed is the one who finds wisdom, and the one who gets understanding, for the gain from her is better than gain from silver and her profit better than gold. She is more precious than jewels, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who lay hold of her; those who hold her fast are called blessed.” (Proverbs 3:13–18 ESV)

 Think about what was just said there. Wisdom brings:

• Long life

• Riches and honor (perhaps not here, but assuredly so in the end!)

• Pleasantness

• Paths of peace.

• A tree of life.

• A blessing to you!

Who doesn’t want that!? That is value beyond comprehension and life—true life. Who here wants your life to end? Who wouldn’t want to find the tree of life and live forever? No one wants to stop this amazing process of learning, growing, engaging in a world meant for you to explore and contribute to. Who doesn’t want a rich and honoring life, filled with true pleasantness—not just a passing moment of pleasure, but contentedness and joy through all your being. A life that becomes a true blessing to you.

This is what the Proverbs writer says comes with wisdom. I imagine if I offered you either a good grade at school tomorrow, a happy day with your spouse, a great day at work…or wisdom, wisdom might begin to win about now. Money can’t compare to a life of Joy. Biceps of steel bow to joy and pleasantness.

Wisdom: In Tension

These twin truths should be profound motivators for us. We agree with Job that true wisdom is not found here on earth nor is it searchable to us alone. Others before us have spent their whole lives looking around here on earth for an answer to wisdom and have failed. Additionally, as we see the results of wisdom we begin to value it more and more. We see that wisdom brings what we all long for—true life and joy.

Job even destroys the last holdout that some may have: death. You might have hoped that in death you can find the wisdom that eludes you to your death bed. Yet, job continues and says:

“From where, then, does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding? It is hidden from the eyes of all living and concealed from the birds of the air. Abaddon [place of destruction] and Death say, ‘We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.’ (Job 28:20–22 ESV)

Passing over to death will not itself bring us face to face with this wisdom in a way we will truly know it. That is one of the main tragedies of not knowing God even in death. “We have heard rumor of it…” but they really never know God, even in death.

True Wisdom: Knowing God!

But Job doesn’t leave us wondering. Job 28:23–28:

“God understands the way to it, and he knows its place.  For he looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens. When he gave to the wind its weight and apportioned the waters by measure, when he made a decree for the rain and a way for the lightning of the thunder, then he saw it and declared it; he established it, and searched it out. And he said to man, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’”” (Job 28:23–28 ESV)

 God has this wisdom—and he gives it freely! Psalm 2:6 summarizes it this way:

For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. (Psalm 2:6 ESV)

 God is the embodiment of all wisdom. If you have already come to the conclusion that there is an all knowing, all powerful creator God, he is the only place you can turn to and find this type of wisdom. James helps us by clarifying that there are two types of wisdom that we can pursue: earthly wisdom or wisdom from above. James starts by saying:

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. (James 1:5 ESV)

James describes for us the two paths we can take to find wisdom. With the world what we find in its so-called wisdom is bitterness, jealousy, selfish ambition, boasting and full of lies (James 3:14–15). He also calls this kind of “wisdom” unspiritual and demonic. But James says true wisdom comes from above—from God alone. It is pure, peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere (James 3:17).

When we “fear” the Lord as Job says we rightly revere and honor a God who embodies all wisdom. God himself is wisdom, and knowing him means we can now know wisdom. In knowing him we have a reference, a very personal and complete reference, from which to judge other wisdom. To know what doesn’t conform to God and his will and character, to turn from it, and to call it evil.

The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. (Proverbs 9:10 ESV) 

The Challenge: Apparently Foolish Wisdom

The problem is fearing god will not look like great wisdom to those around you—in fact we are told it will seem very foolish. Listen to how 1 Corinthians 3:18–4:1 says it:

Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise. “For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,” and again, “The Lord knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are futile.” So let no one boast in men. For all things are yours, whether Paul or Apollos or Cephas or the world or life or death or the present or the future—all are yours, and you are Christ’s, and Christ is God’s. This is how one should regard us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.” (1 Corinthians 3:18–4:1 ESV)

In Christ we know God fully and we find all wisdom. That is why Paul calls all Christians “servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God.” We are those who agree with Job that wisdom is not found here on earth, that we don’t value rightly on our own, but what Job hoped for we know completely: that we see this wisdom most clearly in Jesus Christ! Paul said it this way earlier in 1 Corinthians 1:18:

“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” (1 Corinthians 1:18 ESV)

Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:20–24 ESV)

Conclusion/Application

“‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.’””

This morning, where is your challenge?

Are you looking for wisdom here on earth, in all the experiences and places you can find? Have you perhaps looked to God for salvation, but are currently placing your hope in a myriad of areas for success—your kids, your schooling, your work, your success?

Do you value wisdom? Do you see that God is holding out true life, riches forevermore with him, and true life?

Are you struggling in your lack of insight—perhaps even in suffering like Job?

It is only in Jesus Christ that all of these are answered. He is the hope of wisdom revealed from heaven for us. It is only in him that we find true life and are given the Holy Spirit as the down-payment of a promise that we will see God face to face and know him rightly one day. It is only in Jesus Christ that even in suffering we can declare with Paul from Romans 5:3–4: 

“we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:3–5 ESV)

Come with us to communion this morning and celebrate this Jesus. He may seem like folly to you. Odd wisdom. Yet it is the very wisdom of God that he would save weak and sinful people by the death of his own son.