Job 28:12, & 28, "...where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding?" 28 And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to depart from evil is understanding."

Job begins chapter 28 giving several illustrations of where things can be found. Such as seen in verse one, "Surely there is a vein for the silver, and a place for gold where they fine it." In the midst of his trial he remains shaken, not moved, but shaken, and wanting to find and know God's purpose and will for him in the midst of his trial. We are reading about Job's trial, not ours, but the principles by which we are to live are the same. Our trials may be different, but the way to live isn't. We need to learn to live by following God and His Word.

I want to simply point out this morning how Job concludes this chapter. God has revealed two things concerning wisdom and understanding:

• First, the fear of the Lord is wisdom. If you think about the statement it isn't talking about the scope of your knowledge, but rather the condition of your heart towards God. God is infinite in His wisdom, we are not. He is Omniscient, we are not. We have sufficient resources in the Word of God and in the Holy Spirit to completely accomplish God's will, but the issue begins with the heart. Do you fear the Lord? Or do you just play with the Lord? Are you a fan? Jesus is looking for followers!!! Do you have the awe, the respect, the reverence, the fear of the Lord in your life? Wisdom begins with a proper attitude in the heart. (See Psalm 111:10 and Proverbs 9:10)

• Second, to depart from evil is understanding. Understanding is always related to knowing how truth applies to your life. I have purchased some items in the past and had to read the instructions to learn how to operate them. I didn't know how to use what I had purchased. Understanding means you have knowledge and you are aware of how it works in your life. If we don't apply the truth we have we don't possess understanding!! Fearing God (the beginning of wisdom) must be coupled with understanding in order to be helpful. In this passage understanding manifests itself by our departing from evil, which is a further demonstration of possessing wisdom.

I have often said, "Wisdom is seeing things from God's perspective. While understanding is knowing how wisdom is applied to my life."

One thing is for sure, Job has the correct formula for living. Proverbs 3:7, "Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil."

Your Friend and HIS,

Pastor Abbott

QUESTIONS TO PONDER

1. Do you genuinely fear the Lord?

2. How would you rate yourself as a follower of Jesus?

3. Do you obey God as you should? If you answered yes, defend your answer.