So I was starting to do a little Bible reading this morning and got distracted from what I had started with. It happens, you know. I'll share where it led me, and I'll tell you that I really enjoyed reading Job 28. I can't remember how I got there, but somehow I did. The verses about mining and precious metals caught my attention.
Job 28:1-4
“There is a place to mine silver
And copper is smelted from rocks.
Man conquers the darkness;
Man conquers the darkness;
He sinks a shaft far from where people reside,
In forgotten places, far from where people walk;
Some men descend and swing suspended."
Job 28:28
"And he said to man:
‘Look! The fear of Jehovah—that is wisdom,
And to turn away from bad is understanding.’”
This thought that we need to "fear" our Creator, and be obedient to his word is repeated several times in the Bible. Some of the places that you can find it are at: Proverbs 9:10; Psalm 111:10; Proverbs 3:7
In addition to those scriptures, consider these:
Ecclesiastes 12:13
"The conclusion of the matter, everything having been heard, is: Fear the true God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole obligation of man."
Deuteronomy 10:12
“Now, O Israel, what is Jehovah your God asking of you? Only this: to fear Jehovah your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve Jehovah your God with all your heart and all your soul,"
The "fear" that is being addressed here isn't a terrible, scary fear. He isn't asking us to cower and be afraid of him in a "victim" sort of way. Rather, this fear spoken of means to feel "Awe", "Reverence", and a wholesome dread of displeasing him or being disobedient to him.
Do you ever feel wonderment and awe when you see a beautiful landscape, the milky way, or the sunset on the horizon? When we discern that the hand of our Loving Creator is behind all of those creative works, that feeling of awe and wonderment is heightened, and we realize how big and glorious he & his creations are, and how little we really are.
Psalms 8:3-
"When I see your heavens, the works of your fingers,
The moon and the stars that you have prepared,
What is mortal man that you keep him in mind,
And a son of man that you take care of him?"
And yet, in the midst of all of his glory and all of creation, he sets his eyes upon us and does take care of us. He loves us, directs us, and helps us.
Our purpose in life is to love our Creator, serve him whole-heartedly & whole-souled, allowing him to direct our steps, to enjoy & appreciate what he has given to us, and to help others to do the same. In order to know how to do this, we need to learn about who we are serving...about who we are to fear. We need the wisdom and understanding to gain the faith that we need to love and serve one whom we cannot physically see. Where can we find it?
Job 28:12 - But wisdom—where can it be found,
And where is the source of understanding?
Job 28:23 - God understands the way to find it;
He alone knows where it resides,
How do we find it?
James 1:5 - So if any one of you is lacking in wisdom, let him keep asking God, for he gives generously to all and without reproaching, and it will be given him.
Proverbs 2:3-6 - Moreover, if you call out for understanding
And raise your voice for discernment;
If you keep seeking for it as for silver,
And you keep searching for it as for hidden treasures;
Then you will understand the fear of Jehovah,
And you will find the knowledge of God.
For Jehovah himself gives wisdom;
For Jehovah himself gives wisdom;
From his mouth come knowledge and discernment.
So keep:
Praying & asking.
Reading & studying his word, the Bible.
Seeking & searching through it, as if you are looking for a buried treasure.
Think about this: If you were looking for a buried treasure of riches, you wouldn't just dig once and give up, would you? Most likely, you'd keep working at it until you find the treasure, yes?
And that is what he wants us to do. If we are desiring to find the greatest treasure of all...If we are desiring that true wisdom and understanding about the great God we serve, our life and our future, we will keep asking and seeking. He alone knows where it is, and he will let you find it. He'll actually help you find it.
Praying & asking.
Reading & studying his word, the Bible.
Seeking & searching through it, as if you are looking for a buried treasure.
Think about this: If you were looking for a buried treasure of riches, you wouldn't just dig once and give up, would you? Most likely, you'd keep working at it until you find the treasure, yes?
And that is what he wants us to do. If we are desiring to find the greatest treasure of all...If we are desiring that true wisdom and understanding about the great God we serve, our life and our future, we will keep asking and seeking. He alone knows where it is, and he will let you find it. He'll actually help you find it.
Proverbs 3:13-15
Happy is the man who finds wisdom
And the man who acquires discernment;
To gain it is better than gaining silver,
And having it as profit is better than having gold.
It is more precious than corals;
Nothing you desire can compare to it.
Long life is in its right hand;
Riches and glory are in its left hand.
Its ways are pleasant,
And all its paths are peaceful.
It is a tree of life to those who take hold of it,
And those who keep firm hold of it will be called happy.
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