Job 28:28 NTL, “And this is what he
says to all humanity: “The fear of the Lord is true wisdom; to forsake evil is
real understanding.”
Question
was: Where can wisdom be found? Job and his friends differed in their ideas of
how people become wise. I thought it would be good to share this from the
commentary and read how they discussed with Job in his time of trial. It was
more of their opinions where can wisdom be found. Job’s three friends name were:
Eliphaz, Bildad, Zophar.
First,
Eliphaz’s opinion, how wisdom is learned by observing and experiencing life. He
based his advice to JOB on his confident, firsthand knowledge. It is found in
Job 4:7,8; 5:3, 27. Eliphaz’s attitude toward God, “I have personally observed
how God works and have figured him out.”
Secondly,
Bildad’s opinion, how wisdom is inherited from the past. Trustworthy knowledge
is secondhand. He based his advice to JOB on traditional proverbs and sayings
that he frequently quoted. It is found in Job 8:8,9; 18:5-21. Bildad’s attitude
toward God, “Those who have gone before us figured God out, and all we have to
do is use that knowledge.”
Thirdly,
Zophar’s opinion, how wisdom belongs to the wise. He based his advice on his
wisdom that had no other source than himself. It is found in Job 11:6; 20:1-29.
Zophar’s
attitude toward God, “The wise know what God is like, but there aren’t many of
us around.”
Finally,
Job gave the best answer and explained that God is the source of wisdom, and
the first step toward wisdom is to fear God. It is found in Job 28:20-28. Job’s
attitude toward God, “God reveals His wisdom to those who humbly trust Him.”
How did
God respond to all of these discussion among Job’s friends about where can
wisdom be found? Job 38:1-2 NLT, Then the Lord answered Job from the whirlwind:
“Who is this that questions my wisdom with such ignorant words?” In another
words, Job’s friends thought they knew the answer to where wisdom can be found.
God was not pleased with their opinions about Him.
From Job
38:3 through 42:6 NLT, God asked so many questions to Job about His creations
and finally Job realized who God is. Job repented. Then God turned to Job’s
friends and said to Eliphaz, “I am angry with you and with your two friends,
for you have not been right in what you said about Me, as My servant Job was.”
(Job 42:7) God had Job to offer bulls and rams for burnt offering for his
friends and to pray for them that God will accept their forgiveness for having the
wrong opinions against God and Job.
It is good
to be reminded that Job’s attitude toward God was right that “God reveals His
wisdom to those who humbly trust Him.” James said, “Humble yourselves in the
sight of the Lord, and He shall lift you up.” (James 4:10).
God bless
you!
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