YEAR 3, WEEK 9, Day 5, Friday, 27 February 2026

https://esv.literalword.com/?q=Job+28

Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Friday, 27 February 2026:

Job 28:1-11 — Surely there is a mine for silver… Man puts his hand to the flinty rock and overturns mountains by the roots….”

Job describes humanity’s relentless pursuit of treasure. Men tunnel through rock, overturn mountains, carve shafts into darkness, expose hidden veins of gold and silver. Human ingenuity is impressive. Determination is astonishing. The earth yields its secrets to disciplined effort. Man will descend into the depths of the earth for wealth. He will risk life, endure darkness, and apply intellect and strength to extract what he believes is valuable. But the chapter pivots….

Job 28:12 — But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?

Many will labor tirelessly for wealth. Few labor diligently for wisdom.

Though man can extract minerals from rock, he cannot mine wisdom from the soil. Technical skill does not produce moral clarity. Intelligence does not equal understanding. Progress does not equal purpose.

In his tremendous pain, Job could not understand why God was allowing him to suffer. It made no sense. It felt unjust. But instead of leaning on his own understanding, he waited upon the Lord. Job recognizes something profound: even if men valued wisdom enough to search for it with the same intensity they pursue gold, which they rarely do, it could not be found through human effort alone. Wisdom is not discovered; it is given.

Job 28:13-19 — Man does not know its worth… The price of wisdom is above pearls… Gold and glass cannot equal it….

Wisdom is more valuable than precious stones. Its price surpasses pearls. It cannot be purchased with gold. Human beings assign value based on visibility and scarcity. But wisdom is both invisible and rare. It cannot be bought, traded, or inherited. It is not extracted through intellect alone though searching is required –

• Amos 5:4 — For thus says the Lord to the house of Israel: “Seek me and live….”

Proverbs 18 reminds us that everyone thinks they have wisdom. Everyone has opinions. Oceans of words have been spoken in the name of truth. But among them, true wisdom is like a bubbling brook, rare, refreshing, life-giving.

Job 28:20-22 — From where, then, does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding? It is hidden from the eyes of all living….

Wisdom is hidden from natural sight. It does not originate in human reasoning. Death and destruction have heard a rumor of it, but they do not possess it.

The world substitutes human philosophy, cultural consensus, and intellectual trend for wisdom. But wisdom does not originate in man’s intellect.

Psalm 95 warns: “Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” Those who substitute man’s wisdom for God’s Word are described as a people whose hearts go astray and who have not known His ways.

Wisdom begins where pride ends.

Job 28:23 — God understands the way to it, and he knows its place.

Only God knows wisdom’s source because wisdom resides in Him. He does not search for it; He embodies it. Christ is called the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24). In Him are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:3). What Job perceived, the gospel reveals: wisdom is not an abstract principle; it is personal, it is a person, the Logos, the Word, Jesus Christ. True human wisdom cannot be separated from relationship with God.

Job 28:24-27 — For he looks to the ends of the earth… When he gave to the wind its weight… then he saw it and declared it….

God governs creation with measured precision. He establishes laws, assigns boundaries, orders chaos. His wisdom structures the universe itself. If He orders wind and water with precision, He governs human suffering with equal precision. The absence of explanation does not equal the absence of wisdom.

Job 28:28 — And he said to man, “Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.”

Here is the conclusion. Wisdom, again, is not primarily intellectual mastery; it is reverent alignment. The world is full of brilliant people of knowledge, but very few with wisdom. The fear of the Lord is wisdom. Turning from evil is understanding. A major part of wisdom is remaining faithful and obedient to God’s revealed Word when you do not understand the “why” behind it. Trusting and obeying.

Proverbs 3:1-8 captures this perfectly: My son, do not forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commandments, for length of days and years of life and peace they will add to you. Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.”

This is healing to the soul.

Job does not receive an explanation for his suffering in this chapter. Instead, he reaffirms where wisdom is found. It is not in the mining shafts of human effort. It is not in accumulated data. It is not in persuasive speech. It is found in humble reverence before God and faithful obedience to His Word.

When you do not understand, fear the Lord. When you cannot see the outcome, turn from evil. When you are tempted to substitute human reasoning for divine revelation, return to His voice.

“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 27 February 2026: Conduct a “wisdom audit.” Identify one area where you are leaning on your own understanding rather than trusting God’s Word. Replace self-reliance with obedience. Open Scripture before you open commentary. Seek the Author before you seek analysis. Refuse to harden your heart when you hear His voice. Today, fear the Lord. Turn away from evil. Let obedience precede understanding.

Pray: “Father, You alone know the way of wisdom. Forgive me for leaning on my own understanding and trusting my intellect more than Your Word. Teach me to fear You rightly and to turn from evil quickly. Guard my heart from pride and from the illusion that I can mine wisdom apart from You. When I do not understand, anchor me in trust. Shape me through obedience. Make Your Word my treasure and Your presence my guide. In Jesus’ name, amen.”