A Wonder on Wisdom
Job 28-31
I promise we’re getting close to the end of Job’s words, but we’re not there quite yet. Chapter 38 does present a nice kind of intermission, though, as Job takes an interesting detour into the search for wisdom. What prompts this? I have no idea. He wasn’t just speaking about wisdom in the previous verses. In fact, Job has just finished describing the downfall of the wicked (again) at the end of Chapter 27, which seems very like Job to me. His wisdom wondering does not, however, and it feels like another welcome (if brief) respite in his tirade of righteousness.
I find it an interesting thought, actually, that there are riches from the surface and riches from the deep, and that man might have a singular ability to plumb the deep of the earth to harvest its gems. And perhaps going deep is where we’d expect to find wisdom, too, but Job doesn’t give us quite that much credit.
Job 38: 10-13: Miners hammer away at the rock, they uproot the mountains. They tunnel through the rock and find all kinds of beautiful gems. They discover the origins of rivers, and bring earth’s secrets to light. But where, oh where, will they find Wisdom? Where does Insight hide? Mortals don’t have a clue, haven’t the slightest idea where to look. (The Message)
Job 38: 10-13: They cut out channels in the rocks, and their eyes see every precious thing. The sources of the rivers they probe; hidden things they bring to light. But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? Mortals do not know the way to it, and it is not found in the land of the living. (NRSV)
As someone who has sat in her fair share of ash heaps, I feel something inside me perk its ears at this talk of wisdom. It feels like wisdom is a more noble pursuit than self-justification. Being able to see the experience without the emotion – that’s wisdom, or at least a form of it, and it seems like that train of thought might be far more helpful in the healing process.
Job finally settles the matter with God saying to humankind, “Truly, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom and to depart from evil is understanding.” Wisdom and understanding … don’t we truly want to understand why the bad things happen? And don’t we feel wise when we do?
This wonder on wisdom makes me think that perhaps the fog of Job’s Biblical PTSD is lifting a bit. Oh, but no. Job is back at it again in Chapter 29, considering his own situation. For the first time, he does recognize that he used to have it good. I wonder if that’s a remnant of the wisdom rumination. Perhaps wisdom entails some perspective, too.
But not too much perspective, though, at least not from Job. As he recounts his past glory, it seems to be his reputation that he misses the most. And he follows it up with a heavy dose of “look at where I am now,” lamenting the way he is currently treated.
To hear him talk about it, the way he is treated is rough, for sure. And from the same people who were hanging on his every word previously. But the way he talks about those people has changed, too. It seems to be two-sided, and he’s certainly not very nice to the 3 friends who are treating him well and trying to help him.
In Chapters 30-31, all Job seems to care about is what people think about him, what he did to deserve this, and how he can get in front of God to have some sort of hearing, a chance to defend himself and make God change God’s mind. Same stuff, different day. Or same day. Who knows how much time is passing here?
But then …
Job 31:40: The words of Job are ended. (NRSV)
Job 31:40: The words of Job to his three friends were finished. (The Message)
No answers, no resolution, but also, no words. Just a moment of silence. Let’s sit in it for a bit.