Job 28:1 Surely there is a mine for silver,
and a place for gold to be refined.
2 Iron is taken out of the earth,
and copper is smelted from ore…

12 “But where shall wisdom be found?
And where is the place of understanding?
14 The deep says, ‘It is not in me,’
and the sea says, ‘It is not with me.’
15 It cannot be gotten for gold,
and silver cannot be weighed out as its price… 

20 “Where then does wisdom come from?
And where is the place of understanding? …
23 “God understands the way to it,
and he knows its place…
28 And he said to humankind,
‘Truly, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom;
and to depart from evil is understanding.’ ”

Job and his three friends are trying to make sense of Job’s plight and the causes thereof. In this chapter they describe the answers they’re looking for as “wisdom”. Where can it be found? Is it mined from the earth like silver or gold? Is it found in the ocean depths? Is it something purchased at great price? The implied answer is “no”, it’s none of these. v.28 tells us that wisdom isn’t hard to find at all:

“Truly, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.”

Wisdom isn’t something to be discovered somewhere “out there”. No need to search high and low for it, nor does it cost a single penny. Wisdom is found in the hearts of people when we demonstrate reverence and respect for the Lord (fear of the Lord) – and flee from evil. It’s that simple. But that doesn’t make it easy.

There are times when I’m pretty sure I know the “right” thing to do but would prefer something different so I keep looking. I take something simple and make it complicated. Lord give me grace to choose your way rather than my own, especially when I want to rebel, for I know that your way is life. Amen.