Insightful Musings on the Scripturesby
Ray Sparre, NU class of '67
Ray has a wealth of experience as a Husband, Father, Pastor, Missionary, and student of the Word. He believes and practices his faith where the rubber meets the road. You'll find his writings to be practical, insightful, and grounded in a truly Christ-centered world view.
Below are links to a printable daily Bible reading guide which Ray has followed, and an archive of all his daily devotional writings for 2010 and 2011.
| Sparre Home Page | Daily Reading Guide | 2011 Devotion Archives | 2010 Devotion Archives |
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18 Nov 11
Good evening, dear people.
Crazy day. The weather sure altered our activities. I hear the rain beating on the roof even as I type. There was some snow falling with the rain part of the time.
I am looking forward to the pillow. I haven’t been getting my quota of sleep this week.
Blessings on you and yours.
Love, Dad/Ray
18 November 2011
Job 28
Focus: “Where then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell?” Job 28:20.
My education is very limited. I think it’s being reduced over time simply because I keep forgetting what I’ve learned. So when I make a judgment about the quality of this chapter from Job’s oration, I’m not able to do so against my great knowledge of the world of literature. I can only say that this chapter strikes me as a literary masterpiece.
I found the first section of the chapter a fascinating description of ancient mining motives and methods. Although there is historical uncertainty as to exactly when Job lived, it’s most likely that he preceded Moses. I’m amazed at the level of skill and knowledge that Job’s contemporaries had to achieve his description. Man—I know how difficult it is to break up concrete with modern tools. Job too is fascinated with the unique curiosity and creativity of man as it relates to exploration and search for treasure in the unknown depths of the earth. His questing and curiosity will stop at virtually nothing. The only difference between solid rock and soft soil is the time and level of difficulty required to penetrate those forms of the earth’s crust. The serious miner is simply not satisfied with surface ease and familiarity. He is constantly driven on to see what’s in there—what’s beyond—maybe something valuable awaits our digging a little deeper.
The main point Job makes is that the most valuable treasures of all are WISDOM and UNDERSTANDING. They are priceless in value yet elude discovery. “Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it, nor can it be had for jewels of gold…The topaz of Cush cannot compare with it; it cannot be bought with pure gold…It is hidden from the eyes of every living thing, concealed even from the birds of the air” (vv. 17, 19, 21).
Ah, but the Sovereign God knows all about obscure and elusive stuff—He knows exactly where WISDOM and UNDERSTANDING are to be found. “God understands the way to it and he alone knows where it dwells” (v. 23). So how does a finite man link up with this infinite resource of valuable knowledge? Job’s answer is contained in the last verse—“The fear of the Lord—that is wisdom, and to shun evil is understanding” (v.28).
This theme, of course, is repeated more than once in the WISDOM LITERATURE section of the Bible. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise” (Psalm 111:10). “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Proverbs 9:10).
If this is true that the fear of the Lord results in wisdom and understanding, what is the expected result of NOT fearing the Lord? Well, what is the opposite of wisdom? Foolishness. What is the opposite of understanding? Foolish. Foolish ignorance? I think that’s how it works.
The passion of the Apostle Paul was to make known the vital source of the same priceless treasure that Job was describing. It’s not just contained in an ideology, but a Person—the Person of Jesus Christ. “My purpose is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:2-4).
Don’t be a minor (superficial) miner.
“A God who let us prove his existence would be an idol.” - Dietrich Bonhoeffer