Since I have been teaching on Proverbs in my Adult Bible Study class, I have grown to appreciate, understand and desire Wisdom more than anything! If you have been reading along in the Spoken Word Bible Reading Plan, then you KNOW where this is headed! JOB! Job 17:12-19:
12But where shall Wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?
13Man knows not the price of it; neither is it found in the land of the living.
14The deep says, [Wisdom] is not in me; and the sea says, It is not with me.
15It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price of it.
16It cannot be valued in [terms of] the gold of Ophir, in the precious onyx or beryl, or the sapphire.
17Gold and glass cannot equal [Wisdom], nor can it be exchanged for jewels or vessels of fine gold.
18No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; for the possession of Wisdom is even above rubies or pearls.
19The topaz of Ethiopia cannot compare with it, nor can it be valued in pure gold.
We see here that Wisdom is the most valuable thing! We still don't know where to find it! Verses 20-23 should help:
20From where then does Wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding?
21It is hidden from the eyes of all living, and knowledge of it is withheld from the birds of the heavens.
22Abaddon (the place of destruction) and Death say, We have [only] heard the report of it with our ears.
23God understands the way [to Wisdom] and He knows the place of it [Wisdom is with God alone].
Okay! Now we know where it is NOT and have found that only GOD knows where Wisdom is to be found! Verses 24-28:
24For He looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.
25When He gave to the wind weight or pressure and allotted the waters by measure,
26When He made a decree for the rain and a way for the lightning of the thunder,
27Then He saw [Wisdom] and declared it; He established it, yes, and searched it out [for His own use, and He alone possesses it].
28But to man He said, Behold, the reverential and worshipful fear of the Lord--that is Wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.
There's our answer! Wisdom is found in the place of reverential and worshipful fear (reverence, respect and awe) of the Lord and understanding comes when we depart from evil! Don't mess around with evil! Leave it alone and be WISE!
Shalom in Him!
