The previous chapter contained Job’s passionate final words to his friends. In the next chapter he will begin to address God, offering a fervent defense. But in Job 28, the tone is more tranquil. Heated debate is replaced with quiet contemplation. This is a unique part of the book, as Job speaks not to any of the participants in the drama, but to the reader, with all the authority of God. It’s a fascinating poem, and it begins, without any explanation, by inviting us to marvel at the process of mining. An object of great value is obtained only after a search of great difficulty and cost. Somewhere under the earth there is a “place” for silver, gold, iron, and copper. But to find it man must go into very dark places. The search is lonely, and fraught with dangers. Growing crops above ground is relatively easy, but it takes explosive fire to unearth what is under the ground. Yet it’s worth it, for what treasures are found there! (v 1-6). A falcon has unparalleled eyesight and a lion has incredible strength, but neither is involved in this search. Only those who truly appreciate the value of the search’s object will embark on the journey to find it. Expensive and diligent labor is required to locate what is hidden and bring it into the light (v 7-11). So why is God drawing us into this search? That we may find motivation to obtain riches? Not at all. The question is answered in v 12: “But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?” When God built the universe, He did so by wisdom, and this extends to its moral structure. Job has been engaged in a lonely search to know the meaning of his suffering. He has not found his answers, but he believes there must be reasons for why the world is as it is, for God does all things with wisdom and understanding. And so, these twin themes are amplified as the chapter continues. On the one hand, jewels are valuable; on the other hand, they are inaccessible. You can’t put a price on wisdom, but neither can you put your hands on it. Wisdom is something that cannot be found, yet it simply must be found if life is to be worth living. But still—it really cannot be found! (v 12-22). Thankfully, this is not the end of the poem, for while wisdom remains hidden, we are reassured that “God understands the way to it, and He knows its place.” So our focus is directed upward, and for the first time since chapter 2, the voice of God is heard speaking. And what does He say? “Behold, the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding” (v 23-28). This does not resolve every mystery for Job—or for us. But we are beckoned to bow before our God with obedient awe—just like Job himself (1:1, 8; 2:3). For further meditation: