The Fear of the Lord — That is Wisdom

This meditation is based on a passage for September 16, 2010 in the Daily Lectionary Year 2 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).

Text: Job 28:1-28

Reflection and Question: The notes in the New Standard Revised Version call the exchange going on between Job and God in this chapter “an interlude.” It is a discreet, separate poem that characterizes human knowledge as being like miners who know the bowels of the earth in contrast to wisdom, which is infinitely valuable, and beyond human grasp. God, alone, is associated with wisdom and the climax of the poem echoes verses in both Psalms (111:10) and Proverbs (1:7, 9:10). In poetic parallel, fear of God is wisdom and fleeing evil is understanding. How does fear of God work as a part of your faith in Christ?

Prayer: All-knowing God, we acknowledge this fact: no matter how much ingenuity we humans bring to our world, You know more and see more and do more. Help us depart from evil, that we may gain the understanding You will for us. Amen.