I know it was a little while back when we read this, but I was fascinated by the description of mining for metals and jewels which is given in this chapter for a people who lived several thousand years ago. Without modern tools of any sort these people dug deep and dangerously for a living to bring, gold, silver, iron, copper and jewels such as sapphires, rubies, onyx and topaz to the surface. The passage tells of cutting shafts and digging tunnels into the "farthest reaches and blackest darkness" in places unknown. Quite a task in those days I am sure!
But Job concludes that wisdom is priceless compared with gold and jewels. "The price of wisdom is beyond rubies" (Job 28:18)
Again, thank you for "setting the stage" for us as we read these passages. A little insight is always a help!
ReplyDeleteI have always been delighted with the words of Job 28:10, "His eye sees every precious thing." Like things hidden under ground, surely He sees the hidden precious things in individual human lives - things that no one else has ever seen. Those things include personal pain too deep for words; good will misunderstood; failed good intentions; disappointment in loved ones; undeserved criticism and countless other deep things sometimes painfully precious to us. It is comforting to recall His eye sees every precious thing.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was a youth I learned these few anonymous words of doggerel that seem to complement the Book of Job and help to guide.
There are three simple words that begin with an S.
They are wise with a wisdom the world cannot guess.
But those who employ them, their beauty confess.
Keep silent, keep sweet, but keep stepping.
Keep silent when rumor about you is stirred,
when friendship is hurt like a broken winged bird.
When clamors the heart for a right to be heard,
keep silent, keep sweet, but keep stepping.
Keep sweet when provoked by some petty affair,
when those whom you love your loyalty wear.
When the milk of your spirit is curdled with care,
keep silent, keep sweet, but keep stepping.
Keep stepping when other folk hinder the way,
when weary and worn you finish the day,
too foot sore to walk, too tired to pray.
Keep silent, keep sweet, but keep stepping.
Keep silent and spare yourself needless regret.
Keep sweet and the whole world will be in your debt.
Keep stepping with Christ, the truest Friend yet.
Keep silent, keep sweet, but keep stepping.
The image of a mine, full of the treasures that God has placed there for us, just waiting to be discovered, speaks to me. A miner doesn't stop digging until he finds something, and he doesn't know exactly what it will be until he finds it. But God sees it all, "His eye sees every precious thing," just lying there, and waiting to be discovered, if we dig patiently and don't give up.
ReplyDelete