Tuesday, January 26, 2010

"Mining the Depths"

Scripture Passage For Today



Scripture Focus

23 “God alone understands the way to wisdom;
       he knows where it can be found…
28 And this is what he says to all humanity:
       ‘The fear of the Lord is true wisdom;
             to forsake evil is real understanding.’”
                                          (Job 28:23, 28 NLT)

Observation

Job responds to Bildad’s questions (chapter 25) by assuring Bildad again that neither one of them “get it” completely—that God is too massively and mysteriously incomprehensible for any person to “sort him out”:

“…Who, then, can comprehend the thunder of his power?” (Job 26:14 NLT)

In chapter 29, Job speaks again of his distress (please reread chapter 29 again tomorrow—it’s part and parcel with chapters 30-31).

But in chapter 28, Job speaks powerfully to the value of genuine wisdom, and the pertinacious intensity required of those who would grasp it. Humans, Job says, tenaciously mine the earth—trekking where no one else has gone, and risking their very lives in the heart of the earth—for what are considered valuable minerals and precious jewels. But even more tenaciously than that must people plumb the depths of the fear of the Lord and the forsaking of evil to come to a place of true wisdom and understanding.

23 “God alone understands the way to wisdom;
       he knows where it can be found…
28 And this is what he says to all humanity:
       ‘The fear of the Lord is true wisdom;
             to forsake evil is real understanding.’”
                                       (Job 28:23, 28 NLT)

I’ve pursued a lot of things in my life—some tenaciously. I want to pursue the true wisdom—the fear of the Lord, and the forsaking of evil—most of all.

7 comments:

  1. I like the verse the fear of the Lord is true wisdom to forsake evil is real understanding I like this alot to have true wisdom instead of gold and jewels. And that Job told his friend that He didnt get it how can we understand the true depth of God.I pray for the wisdom to understand more and serve God to the fullest in my life and more.

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  2. What a cool picture..."Mining the Depths". Gives a person lots to think about.

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  3. For me one of the hardest things to figure out in Job is this. Who's right and who's really wrong? I know from bible school and study that No one's truly gettin it. (of the players in JOB) But taken on their own, from their point of view, each of the friends has a possibly valid argument. If there were some unrepented sin, Lack of Faith, or boastful attitude, then the arguements of the friends probably would have held substance. That's where the mining thing strikes home. You will not, til the very last day when your standing before the throne, know the whole truth of God. But right know you can know that fact (See the sentence above)And praise God that there are even greater things to come.

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  4. Here is my spill. Been saving it up for a couple days. :) I know I have friends like Job, like some of you most likely do, just not quite as verbal. However, we catch their drift. When I do encounter people like Jobs friends, I tend to think that they are jealous of me. By no means, for anything that I have done, but for what God has done. I think these guys are jabbing at Job because he had so much wealth and that he has held firm to his faith in the Lord. They don't get it, because there was resentment in their hearts and the easiest thing for them to do was to blame Job. Job knew that when he asked for forgivness that the Lord immediately forgave him. (What a blessing this is for us!!!) We can't beat ourselves up over the sins we commit if we ask the Lord for forgivness. It is done immediately!!!(of course we need to repent also.) However, us humans tend to not forgive in the same manner. We hold grudges and may go to our death bed without forgiving someone. Not good! My thoughts are that Job is being a tremendous witness, just as I should be. Never backing down to the greatness of God. Possibly Job prayed for his friends, like we need to do, to have the faith to carry us through whatever trial we are given. I know people that believe all they have to do is be good people and they will make it to heaven. We know differntly, but to tell them the truth, is like nonsense to their ears. My prayer is to be less tolerant of sin and more tolerant of people. I remember reading somewhere in the Bible, that if there is iniquity in your heart the Lord will not hear you.(Something like that. Wish I knew where it was?) I want to hear the Lord and I want him to hear my prayers. Give me a pure heart oh Lord!

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  5. I like what you said, Becky, less tolerant of sin and more tolerant of people. That is what the Lord has been talking to me about lately. Although, we should not tolerate it when our friends are openly sinning, should we? If we just stand around and be 'nice' we aren't doing them any favors. I would want a true, genuine, christian friend to tell me where I am doing wrong in the sight of God. If it is done in love with guidance from the holy spirit; it should be done. I guess we would find out who are true friends are wouldn't we???

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  6. I really love the comments and I love this blog. I am really learning alot! thank you all!

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