Job 28
SIBNo wonder that I cannot tell you the reason why God punishes some wicked men in this world and not all, when, after all, researches, we have so scanty a knowledge of natural things.—There are many mines for the silver, and a country for gold, which men melt and reflect
Job 28:2
And iron is, with art and labour, dragged from the dust, and stowed and melted into brass
Job 28:3
The miners, in the most earnest and daring men, dig till they have quite lost the light of day, and bring their ore from the dark, caverns of the earth, where pestilential damps and other dangers often pass mortal
Job 28:4
While, with infinite labour, they drain off the springs that disturb them, they break into veins of metal about the bottom of mountains; and unheeded by the men who walk above them, they wander in the dark bowels of the earth. 5, 6. While the surface of the ground produces herbs and corn 6 food to animals, lime, brimstone, and such other combustibles, are found in its bowels; nay, the most precious stones and gold in some parts of it. 7, 8. So mysterious are the passages of these miners, that the most quick-sighted fowl never looked into them, and the most fierce and courageous animals never dared to enter them
Job 28:9
But the miners artfully cut their way through rocks of flint, and dig to the bottoms of mountains, to come at the precious metals
Job 28:10
They make passages for draining off the water that breaks in upon them, and cleave asunder the veins of ore, and earnestly discover the precious stones and metals
Job 28:11
They stop the springs from overflowing their mine, turning them another way, and bring up these precious gems or metals, which had been long sealed up in the heart of the earth.—12. But to find out solid wisdom, or obtain the knowledge of God’s reasons in his providential conduct, is still more difficult
Job 28:13
God hath so disposed it, that no man knows the order, method, or importance, of his procedure; and no man on earth can attain to it
Job 28:14
No search into the depths of the earth or sea can procure it
Job 28:15-19
Not all the precious metals or gems in the world can purchase it. 20, 21. No not the most quick-sighted creatures on earth can point out a method to obtain it
Job 28:22
The solid consideration of death and hell are a proper introduction to true wisdom; and yet in death and damnation there are manifold instances of God’s wise procedure, which are not sufficiently comprehended in the reasons of them
Job 28:23-27
God alone; who is infinite in wisdom and knowledge, and who orders and disposes all things at his pleasure; who manages winds, waters, rains, and thunders, in all their circumstances, degree, time, place, or form; properly understands the reason of whatever he does, particularly his dealings with men
Job 28:28
But what he inculcates and bestows upon men, as their proper wisdom, is such a knowledge and filial awe of his unbounded excellencies as makes them to see to him as their only refuge and portion; and, hating every thing sinful, to love him and keep his commandments
REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. XXVIII.—Alas! how men rack their wits, and oil their members, to obtain riches, which, while enjoyed, are unsubstantial, which quickly take to themselves wings and fly away, as an eagle towards! Why are we not more industrious in digging for Jesus’ hidden treasures, 03 which answer all things, and endure for ever! Surely Jesus and his mysteries, Jesus and his grace, must be strangely mistaken when men can thus prefer created trifles and rarities of dust! But how great is that God whose eye overlooks all, whose power effects all, whose purpose fixes all things! Let me never dare to pry into his private counsels, whereby he regulates his conduct. Let me leave the secrets of other men’s hearts, and the deep mysteries of providence to the Lord. And let me and my children study what he has revealed to us as the standard of our faith and practice. Let us learn the wisdom which comes from above, which is pure and peaceable, manifested in fearing the Lord, and departing from evil