Finding Wisdom (Sermon)_transcript.txt

[0.00 --> 8.68]  The reading this morning is from Job, chapter 28, the book of Job.
[9.62 --> 11.82]  The theme is finding wisdom.
[15.52 --> 22.32]  Job 28 is divided into three stanzas, so I will indicate when each one begins.
[23.22 --> 29.00]  Stanza 1, there is a mine for silver and a place where gold is refined.
[30.00 --> 33.78]  Iron is taken from the earth and copper is smelted from ore.
[34.68 --> 37.14]  Mortals put an end to the darkness.
[37.46 --> 42.34]  They search out the farthest recesses for ore in the blackest darkness.
[43.26 --> 48.96]  Far from human dwellings they cut a shaft in places untouched by human feet.
[49.16 --> 52.56]  Far from other people they dangle and sway.
[53.50 --> 57.92]  The earth from which food comes is transformed below as by fire.
[57.92 --> 63.86]  Lapis lazuli comes from its rocks and its dust contains nuggets of gold.
[64.72 --> 67.38]  No bird of prey knows that hidden path.
[67.54 --> 69.48]  No falcon's eye has seen it.
[70.06 --> 72.50]  Proud beasts do not set foot on it.
[72.86 --> 74.58]  And no lion prowls there.
[74.58 --> 78.98]  People assault the flinty rock with their hands.
[78.98 --> 81.98]  Lay bare the roots of the mountains.
[82.18 --> 84.22]  They tunnel through the rock.
[84.76 --> 86.82]  Their eyes see all its treasures.
[87.68 --> 92.14]  They search the sources of the rivers and bring hidden things to light.
[92.14 --> 96.16]  But where can wisdom be found?
[97.10 --> 99.80]  Where does understanding dwell?
[99.80 --> 103.40]  Well, then begins stanza two.
[104.60 --> 107.58]  No mortal comprehends its worth.
[108.28 --> 110.82]  It cannot be found in the land of the living.
[111.24 --> 113.64]  The deep says it is not in me.
[114.00 --> 116.78]  The sea says it is not in me.
[117.34 --> 120.08]  It cannot be bought with the finest gold,
[120.08 --> 123.30]  nor can its price be weighed out in silver.
[124.04 --> 126.74]  It cannot be bought with the gold of Ophir,
[127.18 --> 129.64]  with precious onyx or lapis lazuli.
[130.64 --> 133.66]  Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it,
[134.20 --> 136.96]  nor can it be had for jewels of gold.
[137.70 --> 140.26]  Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention.
[140.82 --> 144.24]  The price of wisdom is beyond rubies.
[144.24 --> 147.76]  The topaz of kosh cannot compare with it.
[148.38 --> 150.68]  It cannot be bought with pure gold.
[152.18 --> 155.14]  Where, then, does wisdom come from?
[155.86 --> 158.32]  Where does understanding dwell?
[160.44 --> 162.24]  Now begin stanza three.
[163.28 --> 166.20]  It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing,
[166.44 --> 168.80]  concealed even from the birds in the sky.
[169.42 --> 173.76]  Destruction and death say only a rumor of it has reached our ears.
[174.70 --> 177.32]  God understands the way to it,
[178.02 --> 181.08]  and he alone knows where it dwells.
[181.48 --> 183.74]  For he views the ends of the earth
[183.74 --> 185.78]  and sees everything under the heavens.
[186.40 --> 189.16]  When he established the force of the wind
[189.16 --> 190.72]  and measured out the waters,
[191.20 --> 193.38]  when he made the decree for rain
[193.38 --> 195.06]  and the path for the thunderstorm,
[195.74 --> 198.64]  then he looked at wisdom and appraised it.
[198.64 --> 201.18]  He confirmed it and tested it,
[201.50 --> 203.54]  and he said to the human race,
[203.54 --> 206.08]  the fear of the Lord,
[206.78 --> 208.00]  that is wisdom,
[208.82 --> 211.54]  and to shun evil is understanding.
[212.74 --> 214.84]  And that's our text for this morning, too,
[214.92 --> 216.48]  the fear of the Lord,
[216.62 --> 219.62]  and that we can just as well say,
[219.76 --> 223.00]  the love for the Lord,
[223.38 --> 224.72]  that is wisdom,
[224.72 --> 228.02]  and to shun evil is understanding.
[228.02 --> 229.90]  Brothers and sisters,
[229.90 --> 231.40]  in our Lord Jesus Christ,
[232.34 --> 233.26]  why?
[234.58 --> 237.46]  That's a question kids love to ask, isn't it?
[238.14 --> 239.90]  And we as parents, you know,
[239.94 --> 241.78]  we have to have a lot of wisdom
[241.78 --> 243.74]  to always answer that question.
[244.50 --> 245.98]  I was struck by that once
[245.98 --> 248.04]  when I was volunteering
[248.04 --> 250.12]  at Abbotsford Regional Hospital,
[250.26 --> 252.78]  as I used to do every Thursday morning
[252.78 --> 255.74]  before the pandemic shut us down.
[256.58 --> 260.16]  I was a pastoral visitor there at the hospital,
[260.16 --> 262.64]  and every week I would spend an hour
[262.64 --> 264.08]  in the psych ward
[264.08 --> 267.16]  and working with the patients there
[267.16 --> 270.14]  and just to be there to talk to them,
[270.24 --> 271.80]  to answer their questions or whatever.
[271.80 --> 275.18]  So one week the physiotherapist on Judy
[275.18 --> 277.10]  introduced me as Pastor Rudy
[277.10 --> 278.42]  and added,
[278.78 --> 281.00]  he can answer any of your questions.
[281.72 --> 283.82]  Well, that kind of left it wide open.
[284.02 --> 285.96]  So one of the patients there,
[286.32 --> 290.24]  in fact, a lady that I had spoken with before,
[290.64 --> 292.70]  so she knew who I was and so on,
[292.78 --> 294.06]  a little bit,
[294.14 --> 297.36]  but she thought she'd tease me a little bit
[297.36 --> 300.58]  and make a joke by asking me,
[300.58 --> 302.84]  well, if you can answer any of our questions,
[302.96 --> 304.36]  why is the sky blue?
[305.80 --> 307.94]  Isn't that the kind of question kids usually ask?
[308.02 --> 309.08]  Why is the sky blue?
[309.74 --> 311.04]  Well, I told her,
[311.10 --> 312.70]  turning the joke back on her,
[313.06 --> 314.28]  it just so happens that
[314.28 --> 315.64]  before I became a pastor,
[315.78 --> 316.96]  I was a science teacher,
[317.36 --> 318.66]  and I can tell you exactly
[318.66 --> 319.84]  why the sky is blue.
[320.38 --> 322.18]  So we had kind of fun with that.
[323.06 --> 324.32]  But I can imagine that
[324.32 --> 327.38]  the answers aren't always so ready to hand
[327.38 --> 329.42]  when kids come up with these questions.
[329.58 --> 329.96]  Why?
[330.58 --> 331.04]  Why?
[331.20 --> 332.82]  And parents need a lot of wisdom.
[333.64 --> 335.52]  Where do parents get the wisdom
[335.52 --> 337.84]  to answer all these questions?
[338.70 --> 339.98]  The story of Job
[339.98 --> 342.10]  is a search for wisdom
[342.10 --> 345.70]  in facing the many struggles of life.
[346.32 --> 348.34]  Job was a suffering child of God
[348.34 --> 350.06]  who wanted to know why.
[350.06 --> 355.74]  Three friends came to offer words of wisdom to Job.
[356.94 --> 358.76]  Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar.
[358.96 --> 360.44]  If you're familiar with the story,
[361.28 --> 362.98]  you've read the book,
[363.28 --> 365.30]  you know all their arguments.
[365.44 --> 367.28]  We're not going to get into those this morning,
[367.28 --> 369.90]  but did you ever notice that
[369.90 --> 372.84]  before they began to argue with him,
[372.84 --> 378.12]  they sat with him in silence for a week.
[378.12 --> 383.06]  168 hours of sitting with him
[383.06 --> 385.16]  and not saying anything.
[385.16 --> 387.60]  Now that showed real wisdom.
[388.70 --> 390.32]  That is real comfort.
[390.52 --> 391.54]  You know, sometimes when,
[391.74 --> 393.64]  and you and I have experienced that
[393.64 --> 395.44]  when we go through difficult times,
[395.44 --> 397.80]  we don't need people to come
[397.80 --> 399.32]  and give us the answer
[399.32 --> 401.60]  and tell us how we should feel
[401.60 --> 403.18]  and what we should do.
[403.38 --> 405.70]  We just need somebody to be there.
[407.64 --> 409.06]  Just to be there.
[409.20 --> 412.40]  90%, they say, of caring is just showing up.
[413.04 --> 415.02]  Just to be there and sit with them.
[415.82 --> 416.82]  168 hours.
[417.64 --> 419.00]  Can you imagine that?
[419.08 --> 420.70]  And then they begin this debate.
[421.16 --> 424.30]  Now, depending on how fast a reader you are,
[424.30 --> 425.84]  you know, you can sit down
[425.84 --> 427.34]  and read that whole debate,
[427.54 --> 431.66]  chapters 3 through 27,
[432.26 --> 433.16]  and you can read that
[433.16 --> 435.34]  in about an hour and a half to two hours.
[436.72 --> 438.68]  So all the good that they did
[438.68 --> 441.30]  in the 168 hours of sitting there
[441.30 --> 442.22]  and being with him,
[442.52 --> 443.60]  they kind of undid it
[443.60 --> 444.70]  when they opened their mouth
[444.70 --> 445.86]  and started to talk
[445.86 --> 448.14]  and give all kinds of excuses
[448.14 --> 449.92]  and reasons and so on.
[450.24 --> 452.04]  The first round of speeches
[452.04 --> 454.86]  that takes about two hours to read,
[455.20 --> 457.68]  and that's chapters 1 through 27.
[458.62 --> 461.44]  And then chapters 29 through 42
[461.44 --> 463.62]  gives a second round of speeches
[463.62 --> 464.52]  from Job,
[465.48 --> 466.96]  a newcomer to the group,
[467.08 --> 467.72]  Elihu,
[467.98 --> 470.58]  and then God giving his answer.
[471.38 --> 472.46]  And chapter 28
[472.46 --> 473.86]  is right in between
[473.86 --> 476.12]  those two rounds of speeches.
[476.28 --> 477.42]  It's an interlude.
[477.42 --> 479.24]  And in this interlude,
[479.38 --> 480.64]  the question is asked,
[481.14 --> 483.76]  where can wisdom be found?
[484.66 --> 486.50]  And it's set up like a poem
[486.50 --> 489.44]  with the refrain after each verse.
[489.92 --> 491.86]  The refrain in verse 12,
[492.70 --> 494.94]  where does wisdom come from?
[495.08 --> 496.68]  Where does understanding dwell?
[497.44 --> 498.70]  And in verse 20,
[498.80 --> 499.66]  that is repeated.
[500.36 --> 501.38]  And in our text,
[501.50 --> 502.18]  verse 28,
[502.30 --> 503.68]  it's changed a little bit.
[503.78 --> 504.76]  The answer is given.
[504.76 --> 505.94]  And the fear of the Lord,
[506.34 --> 507.44]  that is wisdom.
[507.92 --> 509.92]  And to shun evil is understanding.
[510.10 --> 511.00]  So each stanza
[511.00 --> 515.44]  ends with a question about wisdom.
[516.58 --> 518.42]  Now, in the first stanza,
[518.70 --> 521.60]  Job considers mankind's search
[521.60 --> 523.36]  for wisdom.
[524.50 --> 526.74]  Where can we find wisdom
[526.74 --> 528.10]  if we seek for it?
[529.04 --> 530.00]  In the second stanza,
[530.12 --> 532.50]  he considers mankind's wealth.
[532.50 --> 535.30]  Can we buy wisdom
[535.30 --> 536.74]  if we are rich enough
[536.74 --> 538.28]  to buy it?
[538.96 --> 539.60]  And finally,
[539.80 --> 540.82]  he turns to God
[540.82 --> 541.80]  in the third stanza
[541.80 --> 543.88]  to discover the true source
[543.88 --> 545.10]  of wisdom,
[545.34 --> 546.44]  which is God himself.
[546.68 --> 548.34]  Let's look at these two stanzas.
[548.94 --> 549.60]  The first one,
[549.74 --> 551.32]  mankind's search.
[553.14 --> 554.40]  Verses 1 to 11
[554.40 --> 555.72]  give us a detailed
[555.72 --> 557.36]  and accurate description
[557.36 --> 559.50]  of ancient mining methods.
[559.50 --> 562.08]  The author's intention
[562.08 --> 564.10]  is to reflect mankind's
[564.10 --> 565.42]  amazing skill
[565.42 --> 566.30]  and cunning
[566.30 --> 567.74]  in carrying out
[567.74 --> 569.20]  this extremely difficult
[569.20 --> 571.02]  and hazardous task
[571.02 --> 573.80]  of getting valuable minerals
[573.80 --> 575.06]  and gems and so on
[575.06 --> 577.02]  from underneath the earth.
[577.70 --> 578.74]  Mankind's success
[578.74 --> 579.70]  as a miner
[579.70 --> 581.52]  shows how resourceful
[581.52 --> 583.98]  and how intelligent we are.
[583.98 --> 585.68]  We have conquered
[585.68 --> 586.54]  the creation
[586.54 --> 588.28]  in a real sense
[588.28 --> 589.34]  and we use it
[589.34 --> 590.58]  for our own purposes.
[591.62 --> 592.46]  We have discovered
[592.46 --> 593.58]  many things,
[593.74 --> 595.40]  he says in this stanza,
[595.86 --> 597.30]  underneath the earth
[597.30 --> 598.26]  that even
[598.26 --> 600.10]  mighty creatures
[600.10 --> 601.34]  who roam the earth
[601.34 --> 602.46]  and fly over it
[602.46 --> 603.62]  have never seen.
[604.92 --> 605.54]  Mankind
[605.54 --> 608.00]  is the crown of creation.
[608.72 --> 609.64]  We can discover
[609.64 --> 611.42]  the sources of rivers.
[611.42 --> 613.44]  We can lay bare
[613.44 --> 615.02]  the roots of the mountains
[615.02 --> 616.62]  and bring hidden things
[616.62 --> 617.28]  to light.
[618.18 --> 619.34]  But for all
[619.34 --> 620.62]  of our skill
[620.62 --> 621.38]  and ability
[621.38 --> 623.38]  we cannot discover
[623.38 --> 624.52]  the mystery
[624.52 --> 625.82]  of wisdom.
[626.58 --> 627.88]  Nor are we able
[627.88 --> 628.88]  to search out
[628.88 --> 629.62]  and understand
[629.62 --> 630.94]  the secret ways
[630.94 --> 631.66]  of God.
[632.76 --> 633.42]  These verses
[633.42 --> 634.16]  suggest
[634.16 --> 635.08]  the difficulty
[635.08 --> 635.80]  facing us
[635.80 --> 636.38]  in our search
[636.38 --> 636.92]  for wisdom.
[638.00 --> 639.36]  We will not find it
[639.36 --> 641.36]  by our own efforts.
[641.42 --> 642.42]  and abilities
[642.42 --> 643.72]  and therefore
[643.72 --> 645.16]  the refrain cries out
[645.16 --> 646.64]  where can wisdom
[646.64 --> 647.36]  be found?
[648.18 --> 648.82]  Where does
[648.82 --> 650.00]  understanding dwell?
[651.80 --> 652.74]  Then we come
[652.74 --> 653.86]  to the second stanza
[653.86 --> 654.44]  and there
[654.44 --> 655.60]  we look at
[655.60 --> 657.10]  mankind's wealth.
[659.18 --> 659.86]  Perhaps you've
[659.86 --> 660.44]  heard the slogan
[660.44 --> 661.98]  when money talks
[661.98 --> 662.86]  people listen
[662.86 --> 664.76]  and that's often true.
[665.74 --> 666.10]  Or
[666.10 --> 667.82]  the golden rule
[667.82 --> 668.56]  you might have heard
[668.56 --> 669.16]  has been twisted
[669.16 --> 669.58]  to say
[669.58 --> 670.06]  he who
[670.06 --> 671.72]  has the gold
[671.72 --> 672.46]  rules.
[674.10 --> 675.22]  Money talks
[675.22 --> 675.68]  indeed
[675.68 --> 676.62]  but is that
[676.62 --> 678.08]  where wisdom lies?
[678.88 --> 679.74]  Does wealth
[679.74 --> 681.30]  bring wisdom?
[681.78 --> 682.46]  Can money
[682.46 --> 683.70]  buy it?
[684.58 --> 685.32]  In verse 13
[685.32 --> 685.94]  we read
[685.94 --> 687.32]  no mortal
[687.32 --> 688.50]  can comprehend
[688.50 --> 690.26]  its worth.
[690.96 --> 692.10]  We don't even know
[692.10 --> 693.16]  the true value
[693.16 --> 694.34]  of wisdom.
[694.34 --> 695.80]  how could we
[695.80 --> 696.62]  even begin
[696.62 --> 697.92]  to buy it?
[698.58 --> 698.84]  And then
[698.84 --> 699.74]  verse 13b
[699.74 --> 700.72]  and 14 say
[700.72 --> 702.56]  even if you knew
[702.56 --> 703.28]  its value
[703.28 --> 704.34]  where would you go
[704.34 --> 705.60]  to buy it?
[706.34 --> 707.54]  You can't find it
[707.54 --> 708.30]  any place
[708.30 --> 709.32]  in the land
[709.32 --> 710.08]  of the living.
[711.34 --> 712.64]  Even the deep
[712.64 --> 713.80]  and the sea
[713.80 --> 714.54]  say
[714.54 --> 715.52]  it is not
[715.52 --> 716.24]  with me.
[717.30 --> 717.34]  Creation
[717.90 --> 718.72]  itself
[718.72 --> 720.18]  can't sell it
[720.18 --> 721.20]  to us.
[721.20 --> 723.42]  verse 15
[723.42 --> 724.12]  to 19
[724.12 --> 724.86]  show that
[724.86 --> 725.38]  if you could
[725.38 --> 725.86]  find
[725.86 --> 727.00]  all the most
[727.00 --> 728.40]  precious jewels
[728.40 --> 729.34]  on earth
[729.34 --> 730.78]  you still
[730.78 --> 731.34]  could not
[731.34 --> 732.20]  buy wisdom.
[733.48 --> 733.76]  And so
[733.76 --> 734.22]  again
[734.22 --> 735.16]  the refrain
[735.16 --> 736.16]  of verse 20
[736.16 --> 736.70]  asks
[736.70 --> 738.04]  where does
[738.04 --> 738.64]  wisdom
[738.64 --> 740.12]  come from?
[740.82 --> 741.40]  Where does
[741.40 --> 742.20]  understanding
[742.20 --> 743.24]  dwell?
[744.66 --> 745.40]  Now we look
[745.40 --> 745.90]  at the third
[745.90 --> 746.38]  stanza
[746.38 --> 747.60]  discovering
[747.60 --> 748.56]  God's
[748.56 --> 749.34]  response.
[749.34 --> 751.44]  verses 21
[751.44 --> 752.28]  to 27
[752.28 --> 754.12]  it is time
[754.12 --> 754.78]  to turn away
[754.78 --> 755.54]  from man
[755.54 --> 757.02]  and to seek
[757.02 --> 757.66]  the answer
[757.66 --> 758.50]  from God.
[759.58 --> 760.76]  Verse 21
[760.76 --> 761.54]  begins by
[761.54 --> 762.54]  repeating again
[762.54 --> 763.30]  the ideas
[763.30 --> 763.68]  that
[763.68 --> 764.78]  though we may
[764.78 --> 765.54]  search for
[765.54 --> 766.22]  hidden treasures
[766.22 --> 767.04]  in the earth
[767.04 --> 767.92]  though we may
[767.92 --> 768.58]  see more
[768.58 --> 769.32]  aspects of
[769.32 --> 769.84]  creation
[769.84 --> 770.50]  than any
[770.50 --> 771.30]  other creature
[771.30 --> 772.38]  though skill
[772.38 --> 773.52]  and ingenuity
[773.52 --> 774.24]  may open
[774.24 --> 775.36]  many mysteries
[775.36 --> 776.28]  of creation
[776.28 --> 777.72]  yet for all
[777.72 --> 778.48]  our searching
[778.48 --> 779.22]  we cannot
[779.22 --> 780.78]  find wisdom
[780.78 --> 781.72]  for all
[781.72 --> 782.34]  the amassed
[782.34 --> 782.78]  riches
[782.78 --> 783.66]  of our world
[783.66 --> 784.58]  we cannot
[784.58 --> 785.40]  buy it.
[787.14 --> 788.02]  Does that
[788.02 --> 788.46]  mean that
[788.46 --> 789.10]  God's wisdom
[789.10 --> 790.04]  is not present
[790.04 --> 791.16]  in this
[791.16 --> 791.64]  creation?
[792.84 --> 793.96]  Well we
[793.96 --> 795.00]  as New Testament
[795.00 --> 795.48]  Christians
[795.48 --> 796.02]  know that
[796.02 --> 796.50]  that's not
[796.50 --> 797.22]  true because
[797.22 --> 797.76]  we know
[797.76 --> 798.38]  the Apostle
[798.38 --> 799.16]  Paul teaches
[799.16 --> 799.90]  us differently.
[800.98 --> 801.74]  In Romans 1
[801.74 --> 802.44]  verse 19
[802.44 --> 803.04]  and 20
[803.04 --> 804.70]  he writes
[804.70 --> 805.70]  what may
[805.70 --> 806.46]  be known
[806.46 --> 807.54]  about God
[807.54 --> 808.28]  is plain
[808.28 --> 808.76]  to them
[808.76 --> 809.66]  because God
[809.66 --> 810.28]  has made
[810.28 --> 810.76]  it plain
[810.76 --> 811.24]  to them
[811.24 --> 811.86]  for since
[811.86 --> 812.60]  the creation
[812.60 --> 813.32]  of the world
[813.32 --> 814.90]  God's invisible
[814.90 --> 815.64]  qualities
[815.64 --> 816.56]  his eternal
[816.56 --> 817.22]  power
[817.22 --> 817.96]  and divine
[817.96 --> 818.36]  nature
[818.36 --> 819.14]  have been
[819.14 --> 820.66]  clearly seen
[820.66 --> 822.16]  being understood
[822.16 --> 822.96]  from what
[822.96 --> 824.00]  has been made
[824.00 --> 825.16]  so that men
[825.16 --> 826.06]  are without
[826.06 --> 826.90]  excuse.
[827.90 --> 828.22]  And from
[828.22 --> 828.98]  that we learn
[828.98 --> 829.68]  that yes
[829.68 --> 830.70]  the wisdom
[830.70 --> 831.34]  of God
[831.34 --> 832.98]  is present
[832.98 --> 834.48]  in creation
[834.48 --> 836.00]  but we can
[836.00 --> 837.16]  only see it
[837.16 --> 838.34]  if God
[838.34 --> 839.56]  reveals it
[839.56 --> 840.30]  to us.
[841.74 --> 842.70]  Job 38
[842.70 --> 843.66]  through 40
[843.66 --> 844.86]  is what
[844.86 --> 845.24]  we might
[845.24 --> 845.84]  almost call
[845.84 --> 846.70]  a tour
[846.70 --> 847.98]  of the universe
[847.98 --> 849.76]  where God
[849.76 --> 850.76]  now speaks
[850.76 --> 852.66]  and God
[852.66 --> 853.12]  says
[853.12 --> 854.00]  where were
[854.00 --> 855.20]  you Job
[855.20 --> 856.34]  with all
[856.34 --> 856.96]  your wisdom
[856.96 --> 858.14]  when I
[858.14 --> 858.70]  created
[858.70 --> 859.66]  the universe
[859.66 --> 861.56]  how can
[861.56 --> 862.50]  you understand
[862.50 --> 862.86]  Job
[862.86 --> 863.62]  how it
[863.62 --> 864.14]  was made
[864.14 --> 865.00]  and how
[865.00 --> 865.56]  it was put
[865.56 --> 866.02]  together
[866.02 --> 868.58]  can mankind
[868.58 --> 869.74]  can we
[869.74 --> 871.26]  ever grasp
[871.26 --> 872.28]  the miracle
[872.28 --> 873.58]  of what God
[873.58 --> 874.12]  did
[874.12 --> 875.48]  in the creation
[875.48 --> 876.46]  and what he
[876.46 --> 877.50]  continues to
[877.50 --> 878.00]  do
[878.00 --> 879.82]  in upholding
[879.82 --> 880.52]  and sustaining
[880.52 --> 881.22]  and providing
[881.22 --> 882.12]  for our world
[882.12 --> 884.12]  the wisdom
[884.12 --> 884.88]  of God
[884.88 --> 885.68]  is indeed
[885.68 --> 886.54]  present
[886.54 --> 887.70]  in creation
[887.70 --> 889.34]  but only
[889.34 --> 890.14]  God
[890.14 --> 891.66]  knows
[891.66 --> 892.06]  the way
[892.06 --> 892.58]  to it
[892.58 --> 893.86]  he is
[893.86 --> 894.58]  the source
[894.58 --> 895.92]  and only
[895.92 --> 896.66]  he can
[896.66 --> 897.02]  give it
[897.02 --> 897.56]  to us
[897.56 --> 899.42]  how then
[899.42 --> 899.92]  can we
[899.92 --> 900.86]  get wisdom
[900.86 --> 901.92]  well
[901.92 --> 903.42]  that's why
[903.42 --> 904.12]  verse 28
[904.12 --> 905.06]  is our text
[905.06 --> 905.98]  and also
[905.98 --> 906.68]  the conclusion
[906.68 --> 907.54]  of this chapter
[907.54 --> 909.48]  verse 28
[909.48 --> 910.56]  reveals God's
[910.56 --> 911.38]  secret way
[911.38 --> 912.88]  the fear
[912.88 --> 914.64]  or the love
[914.64 --> 915.74]  of the Lord
[915.74 --> 916.76]  is the beginning
[916.76 --> 917.34]  of wisdom
[917.34 --> 919.12]  and those
[919.12 --> 919.70]  are familiar
[919.70 --> 920.18]  words
[920.18 --> 920.68]  I know
[920.68 --> 921.00]  they are
[921.00 --> 921.34]  for me
[921.34 --> 921.80]  because they
[921.80 --> 922.16]  were written
[922.16 --> 922.96]  on the foundation
[922.96 --> 923.70]  stone of the
[923.70 --> 924.36]  Christian school
[924.36 --> 925.12]  that I attended
[925.12 --> 926.14]  in Hamilton
[926.14 --> 926.78]  Ontario
[926.78 --> 928.78]  the fear
[928.78 --> 929.26]  of the Lord
[929.26 --> 929.88]  is the beginning
[929.88 --> 930.40]  of wisdom
[930.40 --> 931.30]  they're found
[931.30 --> 932.54]  in Psalm 110
[932.54 --> 933.40]  they're found
[933.40 --> 934.10]  in Proverbs
[934.10 --> 934.98]  chapter 1
[934.98 --> 936.64]  and here
[936.64 --> 937.44]  Job adds
[937.44 --> 938.88]  and to shun
[938.88 --> 939.52]  evil
[939.52 --> 940.86]  is the beginning
[940.86 --> 942.00]  of understanding
[942.00 --> 943.74]  the love
[943.74 --> 944.42]  of the Lord
[944.42 --> 945.32]  is the beginning
[945.32 --> 946.02]  of wisdom
[946.02 --> 947.48]  and to shun
[947.48 --> 947.96]  evil
[947.96 --> 950.24]  is the beginning
[950.24 --> 951.18]  of understanding
[951.18 --> 952.88]  this really
[952.88 --> 953.64]  makes Job
[953.64 --> 954.22]  himself
[954.22 --> 954.84]  the best
[954.84 --> 955.40]  example
[955.40 --> 956.04]  of wisdom
[956.04 --> 958.00]  because we read
[958.00 --> 958.78]  in chapter 1
[958.78 --> 959.28]  verse 1
[959.28 --> 960.08]  that Job
[960.08 --> 961.18]  was blameless
[961.18 --> 962.10]  and upright
[962.10 --> 963.62]  he feared
[963.62 --> 964.34]  that is
[964.34 --> 965.12]  he loved
[965.12 --> 965.80]  God
[965.80 --> 967.06]  and he shunned
[967.06 --> 967.60]  evil
[967.60 --> 969.88]  the debate
[969.88 --> 970.78]  shows that Job
[970.78 --> 971.50]  was not always
[971.50 --> 972.20]  right either
[972.20 --> 973.70]  he too made
[973.70 --> 974.26]  mistakes
[974.26 --> 974.94]  for which he
[974.94 --> 975.58]  needed to be
[975.58 --> 976.04]  corrected
[976.04 --> 977.68]  but he did
[977.68 --> 978.34]  have the
[978.34 --> 978.78]  beginning
[978.78 --> 979.78]  of wisdom
[979.78 --> 981.00]  because he
[981.00 --> 982.30]  loved God
[982.30 --> 983.58]  and shunned
[983.58 --> 984.24]  evil
[984.24 --> 987.82]  isn't it true
[987.82 --> 988.42]  that today
[988.42 --> 989.00]  we can do
[989.00 --> 990.04]  so much more
[990.04 --> 991.46]  with our signs
[991.46 --> 992.46]  and our computers
[992.46 --> 993.98]  we can explore
[993.98 --> 996.16]  the microcosm
[996.16 --> 996.94]  of the atoms
[996.94 --> 998.08]  and we can explore
[998.08 --> 999.38]  the macrocosm
[999.38 --> 1000.20]  of the stars
[1000.20 --> 1001.16]  and the universe
[1001.16 --> 1003.32]  but we still
[1003.32 --> 1004.44]  can't find wisdom
[1004.44 --> 1006.74]  I was reminded
[1006.74 --> 1007.30]  yesterday
[1007.30 --> 1008.48]  of that astronaut
[1008.48 --> 1010.10]  the Russian astronaut
[1010.10 --> 1012.06]  who was the first
[1012.06 --> 1013.00]  human being
[1013.00 --> 1014.20]  to go into space
[1014.20 --> 1015.48]  and his comment
[1015.48 --> 1015.80]  was
[1015.80 --> 1016.46]  I looked out
[1016.46 --> 1016.96]  the window
[1016.96 --> 1017.92]  and I didn't see
[1017.92 --> 1018.76]  God up there
[1018.76 --> 1020.60]  and somebody
[1020.60 --> 1022.12]  wisely suggested
[1022.12 --> 1022.90]  well perhaps
[1022.90 --> 1023.66]  if you'd stepped
[1023.66 --> 1024.28]  outside
[1024.28 --> 1025.20]  you would have
[1025.20 --> 1025.72]  seen him
[1025.72 --> 1028.04]  yes
[1028.04 --> 1029.98]  we have amazing
[1029.98 --> 1030.64]  resources
[1030.64 --> 1032.90]  to explore
[1032.90 --> 1033.88]  the universe
[1033.88 --> 1036.08]  from the macrocosm
[1036.08 --> 1037.26]  to the microcosm
[1037.26 --> 1038.62]  but we still
[1038.62 --> 1040.20]  can't find wisdom
[1040.20 --> 1042.00]  as witness
[1042.00 --> 1042.78]  in our world
[1042.78 --> 1043.40]  the problems
[1043.40 --> 1044.14]  of pollution
[1044.14 --> 1045.60]  of racism
[1045.60 --> 1046.82]  of wars
[1046.82 --> 1048.32]  and of crimes
[1048.32 --> 1049.36]  that affect
[1049.36 --> 1050.24]  all of us
[1050.24 --> 1051.92]  today we have
[1051.92 --> 1052.80]  access to
[1052.80 --> 1054.70]  amazing resources
[1054.70 --> 1055.50]  of wealth
[1055.50 --> 1057.36]  and yet
[1057.36 --> 1059.86]  do we find
[1059.86 --> 1060.78]  that the richest
[1060.78 --> 1061.46]  countries
[1061.46 --> 1062.48]  in the world
[1062.48 --> 1063.66]  are always
[1063.66 --> 1064.60]  the wisest
[1064.60 --> 1067.04]  not by far
[1067.04 --> 1069.14]  true wisdom
[1069.14 --> 1070.56]  is the way
[1070.56 --> 1071.54]  of reverence
[1071.54 --> 1072.46]  and obedience
[1072.46 --> 1073.50]  to God
[1073.50 --> 1075.12]  to know
[1075.12 --> 1076.46]  and to follow
[1076.46 --> 1077.34]  his ways
[1077.34 --> 1078.54]  and his laws
[1078.54 --> 1079.92]  to worship
[1079.92 --> 1081.40]  and to adore
[1081.40 --> 1081.82]  him
[1081.82 --> 1083.42]  and that's the call
[1083.42 --> 1084.34]  to us this morning
[1084.34 --> 1084.90]  if you want
[1084.90 --> 1085.84]  to seek wisdom
[1085.84 --> 1087.64]  then turn to God
[1087.64 --> 1089.16]  and he will reveal
[1089.16 --> 1090.22]  the path of wisdom
[1090.22 --> 1091.70]  to all who seek him
[1091.70 --> 1093.54]  not always
[1093.54 --> 1094.56]  to those who seek
[1094.56 --> 1095.70]  human knowledge
[1095.70 --> 1096.46]  and skill
[1096.46 --> 1097.52]  and apply it
[1097.52 --> 1099.26]  or necessarily
[1099.26 --> 1100.52]  to those who seek
[1100.52 --> 1101.26]  the riches
[1101.26 --> 1102.38]  of this world
[1102.38 --> 1104.44]  but always
[1104.44 --> 1105.28]  to those
[1105.28 --> 1106.38]  who truly
[1106.38 --> 1107.56]  seek God
[1107.56 --> 1108.72]  walk
[1108.72 --> 1109.62]  in his way
[1109.62 --> 1111.66]  love the Lord
[1111.66 --> 1113.14]  and shun
[1113.14 --> 1113.82]  evil
[1113.82 --> 1115.40]  amen
[1115.40 --> 1118.42]  shall we pray
[1118.42 --> 1122.08]  heavenly father
[1122.08 --> 1122.84]  we thank you
[1122.84 --> 1124.06]  that you are
[1124.06 --> 1124.50]  the source
[1124.50 --> 1124.98]  of wisdom
[1124.98 --> 1126.94]  and we acknowledge
[1126.94 --> 1127.68]  lord that there
[1127.68 --> 1128.52]  are many times
[1128.52 --> 1129.24]  in our lives
[1129.24 --> 1130.18]  when we need
[1130.18 --> 1130.98]  wisdom
[1130.98 --> 1134.66]  we can't always
[1134.66 --> 1135.60]  answer the questions
[1135.60 --> 1136.40]  of the children
[1136.40 --> 1139.06]  we don't always
[1139.06 --> 1139.72]  understand
[1139.72 --> 1140.34]  why things
[1140.34 --> 1140.94]  are happening
[1140.94 --> 1141.88]  in our lives
[1141.88 --> 1143.84]  why we are
[1143.84 --> 1144.24]  suffering
[1144.24 --> 1144.98]  why our loved
[1144.98 --> 1145.80]  ones are suffering
[1145.80 --> 1147.26]  why we have
[1147.26 --> 1147.82]  lost
[1147.82 --> 1149.10]  a loved one
[1149.10 --> 1151.28]  and sometimes
[1151.28 --> 1152.14]  we cry out
[1152.14 --> 1152.82]  to you lord
[1152.82 --> 1153.78]  why
[1153.78 --> 1154.56]  oh god
[1154.56 --> 1157.60]  why
[1157.60 --> 1160.28]  and you
[1160.28 --> 1160.76]  point us
[1160.76 --> 1161.32]  back to your
[1161.32 --> 1161.66]  word
[1161.66 --> 1162.66]  and you
[1162.66 --> 1163.24]  remind us
[1163.24 --> 1163.84]  that it is
[1163.84 --> 1164.90]  the love
[1164.90 --> 1165.52]  of god
[1165.52 --> 1167.10]  that is the
[1167.10 --> 1167.62]  beginning of
[1167.62 --> 1168.00]  wisdom
[1168.00 --> 1170.12]  that we are
[1170.12 --> 1170.84]  called in this
[1170.84 --> 1171.56]  life to shun
[1171.56 --> 1172.00]  evil
[1172.00 --> 1173.74]  and to walk
[1173.74 --> 1174.54]  in your way
[1174.54 --> 1176.28]  and so we
[1176.28 --> 1176.86]  pray lord
[1176.86 --> 1178.48]  when the cry
[1178.48 --> 1179.20]  of our heart
[1179.20 --> 1180.28]  goes out to you
[1180.28 --> 1181.06]  will you speak
[1181.06 --> 1181.76]  to our heart
[1181.76 --> 1182.20]  through your
[1182.20 --> 1182.92]  holy spirit
[1182.92 --> 1183.50]  and will you
[1183.50 --> 1184.14]  lead us
[1184.14 --> 1185.32]  in your way
[1185.32 --> 1186.04]  will you open
[1186.04 --> 1186.72]  our eyes
[1186.72 --> 1187.38]  to see the
[1187.38 --> 1187.88]  wonders
[1187.88 --> 1188.94]  of your
[1188.94 --> 1189.58]  creation
[1189.58 --> 1190.58]  as we turn
[1190.58 --> 1191.24]  to you
[1191.24 --> 1192.44]  in love
[1192.44 --> 1193.40]  and adoration
[1193.40 --> 1195.28]  and father
[1195.28 --> 1195.72]  will you
[1195.72 --> 1196.46]  help us
[1196.46 --> 1196.98]  by your
[1196.98 --> 1197.64]  holy spirit
[1197.64 --> 1198.60]  to turn away
[1198.60 --> 1199.66]  from all
[1199.66 --> 1200.48]  that is evil
[1200.48 --> 1201.62]  in our lives
[1201.62 --> 1202.74]  and in the
[1202.74 --> 1203.84]  world around us
[1203.84 --> 1204.94]  and then
[1204.94 --> 1205.78]  may we truly
[1205.78 --> 1208.10]  find
[1208.10 --> 1208.90]  wisdom
[1208.90 --> 1210.46]  for our
[1210.46 --> 1210.88]  lives
[1210.88 --> 1212.24]  we ask it
[1212.24 --> 1213.10]  in jesus name
[1213.10 --> 1214.26]  amen
[1214.26 --> 1214.76]  you