Job 27-28, Where Barney Fife stares at you and I am confused.

This may or may not be how I feel about Job 27-28.

Do you know what's awesome? When you're studying a book of the Bible, (let's say "Job", for instance), and you come across a section of verses or chapters, (27-28 just for the sake of the argument), that seem to make no sense at all or don't fit into the context of the book? I'm not saying that's every happened to me, but it would be INCREDIBLY FRUSTRATING if it did. I'm just saying.

Job's spent the last 26 chapters rebuffing his friends' attempts to convince him that he must have sinned because God never makes righteous people suffer, only the wicked. Now all of his friends have been shut up because they can't answer Job's refutations of their arguments. In these remaining chapters, Job appears to offer some final rebukes to his "friends" and randomly talk about wisdom. Please read along in your own Bible...or just stare into Barney's eyes.

Job 27:1-6 - No matter what, Job refuses to deny his innocence.
Job takes his stand against his friends yet again. He says as long as I live, I will not deny my integrity, I will not admit that I am wrong. I will not admit that I am guilty of some transgression or wickedness.* "As surely as God lives, who has denied me justice, the Almighty, who has made my life bitter...I will never declare that you three are in the right; until I die, I will not set aside my integrity!...my conscience will not reproach me for as long as I live," (2-6, selected). Job is a man of integrity and will not compromise on any claims to the contrary. There's something to be said for not compromising on what you know to be the truth.

Luther would not compromise on the Bible or justification by faith alone. 

*Again, no one is saying that Job was a man without sin, a la Jesus. The point here is that Job was a good and righteous man. God himself acknowledged that Job was a man who feared God and turned from evil. This doesn't mean that he was perfect, but it does confirm there was no sin in his life to justify his suffering.

Job 27:7-23 - God will ultimately judge the wicked. 
This is a tough section. Job seems to be saying that God punishes the wicked. This of course raises the question, does Job then accept that he is a wicked man? I don't think that's what he's saying because Job has maintained his innocence this entire book. It seems like a fair assumption that Job is somewhat directing his comments at his friends. Perhaps he is rebuking them for continually hounding him and telling him he was wicked. What's also strange about this section is that Job says the wicked will never ultimately prosper, but earlier in the book Job stated that the wicked DO prosper on earth. What's worse is that Job's description of the wicked only seems to mirror his own suffering. So is Job saying he was wicked? I really have no idea what Job is driving at here. Like I said, it's frustrating. Let's just move on.

Job 28:1-11 - Silver, gold, and precious stones may be mined and found by man.

Job now transitions to a different subject...shiny rocks. Seriously. "Surely there is a mine for silver and a place where they refine gold. Iron is taken from the dust and copper is smelted from rock," (1-2). Shiny rocks can be dug up from the earth with great effort. "He puts his hand on the flint; He overturns the mountains at the base. He hews out channels through the rocks...And what is hidden he brings out to the light," (8-11, selected). Confused? Yep, me too.

Job's point is that man has the capacity to seek out gold, silver, and gems through the force of sheer will. They can dig, work, and sweat and find incredible treasures in the earth, (which reminds me of the dwarves in Middle Earth). In the same way, men and women can, by their efforts, make money, obtain possessions, and gain power and prestige. Men are able to obtain great wealth and do incredible things by their efforts and strength....BUT

Job 28:12-22 - Wisdom cannot be be found out, bought, or obtained by the will of men. 
Where can men find wisdom on earth? It can't be found in the depths of earth. It can't be bought by wealth or gained by the greatest striving of men. "But where can wisdom be found? It cannot be found in the land of the living...the sea says, 'It is not in me,'...It cannot be bought with the finest gold," (12-15, selected). Not only can it not be found, but there is no equivalent to the value of wisdom. "Gold or glass cannot equal it...the acquisition of wisdom is above that of pearls...nor can it be valued in pure gold," (17-19, selected). Wisdom cannot be found, bought, or earned by men, yet its value is greater than any thing on earth. So then, "Where then does wisdom come from? And where is the place of understanding? Thus it is hidden from the eyes of all living and concealed from the birds of the sky," (20-22, selected). Understanding the world, life, and the purposes of God is not accessible by the strength of men. Men cannot, by their efforts, understand the mind of God or his sovereign will in the world. Men may accomplish great things, but they cannot gain understanding into will and purposes of a holy, infinite, and eternal God.

Job 28:23-28 - Wisdom and Understanding are hidden in God.

Barney Fife, man of wisdom.

Wisdom and understanding are only found in God. "God understands the way to it, and he knows its place," (23). God has to reveal truth, wisdom, and understanding to men. There is only one who understands the world and that is its creator. "For he looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens," (24). It is God who made and controls nature, even the destructive parts of his creation. "When he gave the wind its weight...and a way for the lightning of the thunder," (25-26). Only God has understanding. Only He knows how the world works. Only He can reveal what is true. Man through his searching and will can not come to an understanding of the purposes of God. Man, as a being, is totally dependent upon the Almighty for understanding.

Job has been asking of God "why" and "where". Job and his friends have been debating the purposes of God in his suffering. But here Job confesses that understanding the purposes and reasons of God are beyond mere mortals. "The knowledge of God's secret will, the will of his providence, is out of our reach, and what God has reserved for himself," (Matthew Henry, commenting on Job 28). Job has been asking God throughout this book to show up and explain himself and his purposes in Job's suffering. Here he admits that wisdom is simply to fear God and turn from evil. Job is so close to finding the answer to his questions if he would only listen to his own counsel. "Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding," (28). Man will not find wisdom and understanding of this life and of the trials they endure, but there is wisdom in fearing the Lord, trusting him, and turning from evil. Men may ask "Why" and "Where", but to trust God and fear the mystery of his will is wise.

You may say, "I don't like that." Well I don't either, and neither did Job. There are deep and hidden purposes to the plans of God. Men may not grasp them this side of heaven. However, it is great wisdom for men to simply submit to and trust a holy, loving, and sovereign God who knows all things. Is that easy? No. Does it answer all of our questions about life, good, evil, suffering, fairness, and God? Hardly. But it is wiser to acknowledge one's own limitations and smallness and trust a limitless and unfathomable God than it is to drive oneself mad with questions over the sufferings of this life. I may not always understand what is going on in my life. (Heck I have a hard enough time understanding the females in my household!). But what I can do is fear a holy God, trust his love and sovereignty, and wait on him to make it right, (which may be in this life or on the last day).

I'm not sure what this has to do with ducks. 

These were a tough two chapters, both to read and understand as well as to communicate to you as the reader. As always, make sure to read through on your own, study, and ask God for understanding.

We're nearing the end. Job is going to talk just a little more and he'll be done. Then a final figure will show up to speak and then God will show up and thunder.

See you next time.