The deepest gold mine in the world is Mponeng in South Africa. Its depth-two-and-a-half miles-equals ten Empire State Buildings! It has 236 miles of tunnels, traversed daily by 4,000 workers, as well as the world's tallest elevator system. This mine is located in an area that has produced about half of the gold ever mined on earth.
The engineering and technology involved in creating the mine and extracting the gold is impressive. Yet today, as in Job's day, wisdom cannot be found in all these riches of gold and technology. Job 28 is most likely an interlude, written by the book's unknown author, between the speeches by Job, his friends, and God that comprise most of the book. The chapter begins by describing ancient mining techniques (vv. 1-11). Miners cut shafts, used ropes and baskets, and tunneled through rock in order to extract and refine precious metals and jewels. The description highlights human knowledge and ability. Miners are the quintessential treasure hunters!
But even given all that, people are unable to answer the question, "Where can wisdom be found?” (vv. 12-22). Wisdom is the real treasure. It's not a physical part of the natural world that science can master. We can't find it, we can't buy it, we can't even comprehend it. It is the natural, moral, and spiritual order and purpose underlying all of creation. Its value is far beyond the best and most valuable things we know.
Having whetted our curiosity, the writer at last reveals that the treasure of wisdom is found only in God (vv. 23-28). He is the sovereign Creator who made all, sees all, and knows all. We can only gain wisdom through "fear of the Lord, that is, by giving Him the reverence, worship, and obedience He is due.
Pray with Us
Please pray for Abigail Vega, Brian Nagel, Edgar Santiago, Holly Motta, and Julie Vinlasaca from the Office of the Treasurer, encouraging them as they work diligently for good stewardship and efficient management of MBI’s finances.
BY Brad Baurain
Dr. Bradley Baurain is Associate Professor and Program Head of TESOL (Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages) at Moody Bible Institute. Bradley has the unique privilege of holding a degree from four different universities (including Moody). He has just published his first book, On Waiting Well. Bradley taught in China, Vietnam, the United States, and Canada. Bradley and his wife, Julia, have four children and reside in Northwest Indiana.