Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
Job Ch.28 / 42 Ch.s
JOB:28
* Concerning wordly wealth. (1-11) Wisdom is of inestimable
value. (12-19) Wisdom is the gift of God. (20-28)
#1-11 Job maintained that the dispensations of Providence were
regulated by the highest wisdom. To confirm this, he showed of
what a great deal of knowledge and wealth men may make
themselves masters. The caverns of the earth may be discovered,
but not the counsels of Heaven. Go to the miners, thou sluggard
in religion, consider their ways, and be wise. Let their courage
and diligence in seeking the wealth that perishes, shame us out
of slothfulness and faint-heartedness in labouring for the true
riches. How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! How much
easier, and safer! Yet gold is sought for, but grace neglected.
Will the hopes of precious things out of the earth, so men call
them, though really they are paltry and perishing, be such a
spur to industry, and shall not the certain prospect of truly
precious things in heaven be much more so?
#12-19 Job here speaks of wisdom and understanding, the knowing
and enjoying of God and ourselves. Its worth is infinitely more
than all the riches in this world. It is a gift of the Holy
Ghost which cannot be bought with money. Let that which is most
precious in God's account, be so in ours. Job asks after it as
one that truly desired to find it, and despaired of finding it
any where but in God; any way but by Divine revelation.
#20-28 There is a two-fold wisdom; one hid in God, which is
secret, and belongs not to us; the other made known by him, and
revealed to man. One day's events, and one man's affairs, have
such reference to, and so hang one upon another, that He only,
to whom all is open, and who sees the whole at one view, can
rightly judge of every part. But the knowledge of God's revealed
will is within our reach, and will do us good. Let man look upon
this as his wisdom, To fear the Lord, and to depart from evil.
Let him learn that, and he is learned enough. Where is this
wisdom to be found? The treasures of it are hid in Christ,
revealed by the word, received by faith, through the Holy Ghost.
It will not feed pride or vanity, or amuse our vain curiosity.
It teaches and encourages sinners to fear the Lord, and to
depart from evil, in the exercise of repentance and faith,
without desiring to solve all difficulties about the events of
this life.