Job 27 Job feels betrayed by his friends.. and even by the Lord.. "As God lives, who has taken away my right, and the Almighty who has embittered my soul.. "  He is confident that he did nothing to deserve the suffering that he had experienced.  It is the godless... the wicked who should be judged and punished by God. 

But in chapter 28 Job changes his focus. Once again we find Job looking to God.  In verses 1-11 Job talks about the creation, in particular the abundant wealth hidden underneath the ground and in the rocks - gold, silver, copper, gems - unseen and unimportant to the beasts of the earth. But, men dig and smelt and labor to unearth them. They.. we.. place great value on these kinds of things. 

In comparison, Job asks, "But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?"  The things most important and vital to life- wisdom and understanding.... what is really worth searching and laboring for:

"Man does not know its value, nor is it found in the land of the living. 

The deep says, 'It is not in me;' and the sea says, 'It is not with me.' 

Pure gold can not be given in exchange for it, nor can silver be weighed as its price. 

It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx, or sapphire. 

Gold or glass cannot equal it, nor can it be exchanged for articles of fine gold. 

Coral and crystal are not to be mentioned; and the acquisition of wisdom is above that of pearls...

 (v13-18)

"Where then does wisdom come from? And where is the place of understanding?"  Job asks again.. 

"God understands its way; And He knows its place. For He looks to the ends of the earth, and sees everything under the heavens.When He imparted weight to the wind, and meted out the waters by measure, when He set the limit for the rain, and a course for the thunderbolt, Then He saw it and declared it; He established it and also searched it out, and to man He said, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; And to depart from evil is understanding."  ( v23-28)

Paul prayed  for the believers in Colossae ... "that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in true knowledge of God's mystery, that is Christ Himself, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." 

I'm reminded of Christ's words about treasure - " Do not lay up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."( Matthew 6:19-21)

He also said, "The good man out of his good treasure brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of his evil treasure brings forth what is evil." ( Matthew 12:35)

Where is our treasure?  Or maybe more importantly.. WHAT is our treasure?   Jesus said, "the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field.. the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant seeking fine pearls, and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it." (Matthew 13:44-46)

True wealth if found in Christ..in whom we find true wisdom and knowledge.. His Kingdom is worth every ounce of our strength, every minute of our time, every part of our lives.. .  He is the Treasure that will never rust or fade.. and that no one can take away from us.  Hallelujah! 

Father in heaven, hallowed is Your Name.  You are worthy of all our praise and all our thanksgiving. We seek You. We seek Christ Jesus, our Redeemer and great Treasure. We seek Your wisdom and understanding that can not be found in all the earth.. but is hidden in Christ. This is the treasure we desire more than anything this world can offer. Thank You for this Word today.. reminding us once again of what is most valuable .. You.  Fill us Spirit with this depth of Truth and Life. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.