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WHEN LIFE CAVES IN
Look to God for Wisdom


Job 28:1-11 (Monday)
“"There is a mine for silver and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore. Man puts an end to the darkness; he searches the farthest recesses for ore in the blackest darkness. Far from where people dwell he cuts a shaft, in places forgotten by the foot of man; far from men he dangles and sways. The earth, from which food comes, is transformed below as by fire; sapphires come from its rocks, and its dust contains nuggets of gold. No bird of prey knows that hidden path, no falcon's eye has seen it. Proud beasts do not set foot on it, and no lion prowls there. Man's hand assaults the flinty rock and lays bare the roots of the mountains. He tunnels through the rock; his eyes see all its treasures. He searches the sources of the rivers and brings hidden things to light.” (NIV)
1) This is God’s blameless Job, speaking wisdom. He is revealing the great effort and lengths that man will go to in order to search out things that are worldly: sapphires, gold, silver, diamonds! What steps does this man will go through to possess riches?
a) Puts an end to the darkness
b) Searches the farthest of recesses
c) Assaults and lays bare
d) Tunnels through rock
2) Can’t you just picture a man digging through the earth, his bare hands roughened and blistered from digging and scratching through the hard ground or some rocky river bed! Or, imagine this man dangling and swaying, being lowered by some rope so he can get far enough down a tunnel or into a dark cavern in his search for earthly riches. Perhaps, there is a light shining into the darkness from his hat or helmet, a powerful lantern or flashlight revealing the much sought after treasure. Oh, you just know that he’s been very careful that no one or nothing knows the way! You can sense his desperation in bringing these riches out into the light so he alone can behold their beauty and worth! No minor work is this! No, this is a back breaking—sweat of your brow pursuit! Perhaps, an actual life and death struggle! “Vanity of all vanities!” Or, as some translations read, “Meaningless! Meaningless!” (Ecclesiastes 1:1-2; 2:1-11!)
a) Read Romans 1:25 . How does this speak to what Job is saying?
b) There is only One who is worthy of such passionate desire! Read Jeremiah 29:13 !
i) Proverbs 8:10-22 . Who or What is true wisdom?
3) What keeps us from pursuing our God with this same zeal? If we applied this same determination in seeking out God and His wisdom what do you think would be the result? Isn’t He worthy of such efforts and more?
Job 28:12-14 (Tuesday)
“"But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell? Man does not comprehend its worth; it cannot be found in the land of the living. The deep says, `It is not in me'; the sea says, `It is not with me.' (NIV)
1) Why doesn’t man comprehend the worth and value of wisdom? What gets in the way (Matthew 6:19 -24?)
2) How desirable is wisdom (Proverbs 2:1-7?)
3) Why does man need to seek after wisdom?
a) God commands us in His Word to obtain wisdom (Proverbs 4:5-8!)
b) Wisdom is more desirable than precious jewels, gold, silver (Proverbs 8:11 !) If we would go to such great lengths to obtain worldly riches, how much more so for wisdom?
4) Can you be wise and not know God?
5) How does man’s wisdom differ from Godly wisdom?
Job 28:15-19 (Wednesday)
“It cannot be bought with the finest gold, nor can its price be weighed in silver. It cannot be bought with the gold of Ophir, with precious onyx or sapphires. Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it, nor can it be had for jewels of gold. Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies. The topaz of Cush cannot compare with it; it cannot be bought with pure gold.” (NIV)
1) Why do you think God made wisdom difficult to obtain?
2) Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you needed wisdom? Share.
3) Have you ever come up short when wisdom was needed? Did you have the knowledge, but didn’t know how to apply it? Explain.
Job 28:20-28 (Thursday)
“Where then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell? It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing, concealed even from the birds of the air. Destruction and Death say, `Only a rumor of it has reached our ears.' God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells, for he views the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens. When he established the force of the wind and measured out the waters, when he made a decree for the rain and a path for the thunderstorm, then he looked at wisdom and appraised it; he confirmed it and tested it. And he said to man, `The fear of the Lord--that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding.'" (NIV)
1) Talk about hidden treasure (Proverbs 2:4!) Wisdom is hidden from every living thing! Why?
2) What do you think it means that destruction and death only have heard the rumor of it (wisdom?)
3) God alone knows the way to wisdom! So, how can we gain godly wisdom?
a) Fear the Lord and shun evil (Job 28:28, Psalms 14:1 !)
b) Seek diligently after her (wisdom!) Proverbs 2:1-6 ; 8:17 !
i) Obey God’s Word and commands—they are our life and health to our bones (Psalms 111:10; Proverbs 4:20-22 ; Proverbs 10:8 ; Ephesians 5:15-16 and James 1:1 !)
c) Pray, ask for wisdom (James 1:5-8!) Have you ever personally called out for wisdom and received it? Share.
i) What causes us to waver in our faith?
(1) Sin/Disobedience
(a) Fear
(b) Unbelief
(c) Doubt
d) Seek out godly counsel (Proverbs 12:15 ; 19:20 !)
i) Godly counsel is good for:
(1) Reproof (Proverbs 6:23 ; 10:17 ; 13:18 ; 15:5, 31-32
(2) Instruction (Proverbs 12:1; 2 Timothy 3:16 !)
(3) Correction (Proverbs 3:11 -12!)
(4) Rebuke (Proverbs 9:8; Proverbs 27:5 ; Ecclesiastes 7:5 and 2 Timothy 4:2 !)
e) Seek out godly relationships (Proverbs 13:20 ; John 17:13-17 ; 2 Corinthians 6:14-18!)
4) Truly, God tested and confirmed wisdom! Read Proverbs 3:19-20 . How was the earth created? Now, again, Who created the heavens and the earth (Colossians 1:16 ?) See the connection?
James 3:13-18 (Friday)
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 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. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.” (NIV)
1) James gives us distinct differences between Godly wisdom and man’s wisdom:
a) Man’s wisdom, often referred to as understanding or knowledge, is limited in that it does not, nor can it ever satisfy the deep desire of our hearts (Psalms 73:25!) Why, because it appeals to things of:
i) the world
ii) the flesh, i.e., our sin natures
iii) the satanic forces around us
2) How do we know we are walking in Godly wisdom (verse 17?) List the evidences of Godly wisdom.
a) Pure
b) Peace-loving
c) Considerate
d) Submissive
e) Merciful
f) Produces good fruit
g) Impartial
h) Sincere
3) Again, can you have godly wisdom and not know God and his Christ?