More Precious Than Rubies

Today I mainly want to highlight a passage of scripture, that when seen as is, just happens to be one of the most powerful passages in the Bible. If you are someone who can appreciate things that are very rare, and very hard to come by, this should be a real eye opener. Try thinking about the most expensive and rare things that can be had among men, and then take a look at this powerful statement of truth: “But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding? Man knoweth not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living. The depth saith, It is not in me: and the sea saith, It is not with me. It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof. It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire. The gold and the crystal cannot equal it: and the exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold. No mention shall be made of coral, or of pearls: for the price of wisdom is above rubies. The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold. Whence then cometh wisdom? and where is the place of understanding? Seeing it is hid from the eyes of all living, and kept close from the fowls of the air. Destruction and death say, We have heard the fame thereof with our ears. God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof. For he looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole heaven; To make the weight for the winds; and he weigheth the waters by measure. When he made a decree for the rain, and a way for the lightning of the thunder: Then did he see it, and declare it; he prepared it, yea, and searched it out. And unto man he said, Behold, the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding” (Job 28:12-28). Wow! Let me say that again: WOW!! Do you recongnize the beauty and power of this gloriously simplistic truth? That which is far more valuable than anything that this world has ever offered, is so basic and simplistic that it just flat disappoints pride. That’s right, those who love great swelling mysteries that cannot be confirmed by the scriptures, nor even understood by those who heed them, just can’t appreciate the simplicity of the true wisdom of God. Wisdom? “The fear of the Lord.” And understanding? “To depart from evil.” Goodness sake that’s powerful!

So in light of these things, just why is it that we should fear God, and why is it so important that we depart from evil? Let’s ask Jesus about that: “And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him” (Lk. 12:4,5). That’s pretty simplistic as well, don’t you think? But let’s allow Solomon to add further clarity to this statement of Jesus: “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Eccl. 12:13,14). The reality that we will all be judged according to our works is a continuously prevalent theme throughout the Bible, and I assure you that neither you or I can afford to take any kind of sin with us to that all-encompassing event: “Some men’s sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after” (I Tim. 5:24). So what is the significance of that statement, Paul? “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men” (II Cor. 5:10,11). So we see that the apostle Paul was in agreement with Solomon in regard to fearing God due to the fact that he will righteously judge the deeds of all men. Considering the true meaning of divine wisdom and understanding as we have seen defined by the scriptures, it’s no wonder that Solomon extolled these virtues so highly: “Happy is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. For the merchandise of it is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold. She is more precious than rubies: and all the things thou canst desire are not to be compared unto her” (Prov. 3:13-15). And once again: “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt her, and she shall promote thee: she shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of grace: a crown of glory shall she deliver to thee” (Prov. 4:7-9). Friend, what could we possible add to that? All I can say is AMEN!