And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.
Rather, But unto man, etc., my wisdom is that whereby all things are governed: thy wisdom is in fearing God and shunning evil, and in feeling assured that my wisdom always acts aright, though thou dost not understand the principle which regulates it-e.g., in afflicting the godly (John 7:17). The friends, therefore, as not comprehending the Divine Wisdom, should not infer Job's guilt from his sufferings: for though, for the most part, vengeance overtakes the heinous transgressor even here, and prosperity attends the righteous, yet there are cases where God afflicts the godly in His own inscrutable wisdom. Here alone in Job the name of God 'Adonai' occurs, Lord or Master, often applied to Messiah in the Old Testament. Appropriately here, in speaking of the Word or Wisdom by whom the world was made, (Proverbs 8:1-36; John 1:1; Sir 24:1-34 .)
Remarks:
(1) How marvelous are the contrivances devised by man, how desperate the risks which he has incurred, to obtain the much-coveted treasures of the earth-iron, copper, silver, gold, and precious stones! He ventures where foot has never trodden before, exiling himself from the cheerful haunts of men, to sojourn in the darkness of a pit, his life at every moment exposed to a thousand dangers from water, fire-damp, foul air, the falling in of the mine, and his own false steps-and all in order to gain the hidden riches beneath the soil. His boldness is often crowned with success, and, by all-conquering industry and scientific skill, he surmounts most of the difficulties in the way of his object. This energy is not in itself censurable, but commendable, when exercised in its due measure and place; and it tends to carry out the gracious purposes of the beneficent Creator for the good of man.
(2) Still more marvelous it is that man will not bestow at least equal energy, perseverance, and self-sacrificing (2) Still more marvelous it is that man will not bestow at least equal energy, perseverance, and self-sacrificing ardour on that which is so infinitely more precious than earthly treasures-the attainment of true and saving wisdom. Like Solomon, we ought to pray not for long life, riches, and honours, but thus - "I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in. Give, therefore, thy servant an understanding heart." We ought to seek at all costs, as our first aim, to be "made wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus" (2 Timothy 3:15).
(3) Wisdom has a two-fold relation-as it belongs to God, and as it belongs to us. The wisdom by which the world is governed by God cannot be explored by man, as he can discover the secret treasures of the mine. The most costly price that man could pay cannot purchase the knowledge of this divine secret (Job 28:13-19). But the wisdom which it most concerns man to know is, blessed be God! altogether attainable by us. "Behold the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom: and to depart from evil is understanding." This wisdom is bought already for us, and needs not to be bought by us. "In Christ are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3). They are revealed in the Word to believers through the Holy Spirit, and received by faith. We cannot solve all difficulties in theory, but we can know all that is needful practically for salvation. "The secret things belong unto the Lord our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law" (Deuteronomy 29:29).