Poor Job, he has talked and argued and discussed and listened, but is getting no where with these "friends" of his. I think he finally cut Bildad off, don't you? He was tired of listening to all of them rant and rave and decided "enough is enough." He doesn't need any more of their advice. It didn't help anyway. I don't blame him. He has nothing more to say to them.
They are still inferring that he has some secret and "heinous" sin that he is hiding and that is why he is in such a fix - as Terry pointed out - physically, mentally, materially, and spiritually. Job declares he will never confess a sin that he has not committed. None of us are sinless, but because of the Lord's mercy, He provides a way for us to confess our sins, and He is faithful and just to forgive them.
Job's Integrity - Job says in Chapter 27 that he will not deny his integrity. Who do you know that has integrity and holds fast to it? Who do you picture in your mind? What are they like? I like that word integrity - and I admire people that cling to it. No matter how they are tempted or what trials come into their lives, they don't lose their perspective. They hold firm to a code of moral conduct and ethics. They shun evil. My father was a man of integrity, and I greatly admired him.
Job's Question - Now we get to the heart of the matter. Where can wisdom be found? asks Job. He declares the power of God in creation and talks about the deep secrets hidden in the earth of precious stones, silver, and gold. Wisdom is of the highest value, but we cannot purchase it. Though we can tunnel through the earth and reap great riches and wealth, nowhere can true wisdom be found. Can we find wisdom by observing and experiencing life? Can we inherit wisdom from our families? Or purchase it from some great storehouse?
In verse Job 28:24 we find the answer. God understands the way to it, and he alone knows where it dwells . . . He said to man, 'the fear of the Lord - that is wisdom and to shun evil is understanding.' We must know good from evil and live accordingly. If you are in awe of God and reverence Him, will you not try and live a life that is pleasing to him? James 3:13-18 says But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Proverbs 1:7 reminds us that The fear (reverence) of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
Here are the rays of light that reflect outwardly from a life wherein
God is truly feared. Honor, wonder and worship, radical obedience,
passionate pursuit, righteous living - all are attributes of a heart
who truly fears God. (Larry Kennedy)
Would someone recognize that you "fear God" from observing your life? May the rays from our lives reflect His light - and that light is Jesus, the Light of the world.
Would someone recognize that you "fear God" from observing your life? May the rays from our lives reflect His light - and that light is Jesus, the Light of the world.
