Gems

                                                                                                               

Aloha Dearest Family,

                 In 1848 gold was discovered at Sutter’s Mill in Colona, California. In the next 7 years more than 300,000 people would flood into California for the chance to prospect for gold and strike it rich. Most did not.

                 48 years later, in 1896, gold was again discovered in the Klondike in North Western Canada. Over 100,000 people sold all they to make the arduous journey to the Canadian gold fields. The trip to the Klondike proved too much for many and they gave up but it didn’t deter the majority for the chance to find gold.

                 Mining for gold and other precious gems is nothing new. In fact, the book of Job speaks about it in the 28th chapter.

                 “There is a mine for silver and a place where gold is refined. Iron is taken from the earth, and copper is smelted from ore. Mortals put an end to the darkness; they search out the farthest recesses for ore in the blackest darkness. Far from human dwellings they cut a shaft, in places untouched by human feet; far from other people they dangle and sway…lapis lazuli (sapphires) comes from its rocks, and its dust contains nuggets of gold…People assault the flinty rock with their hands and lay bare the roots of the mountains. They tunnel through the rock; their eyes see all its treasures. They search the sources of the rivers and bring hidden things to light.” (Job 28:11)

 These verses describe well what men do to uncovered precious gems and find riches. And they are still at it today. (It is astounding how much Job knew about mining, even in his day).

  But there is another gem that men cannot find, and most are not looking for it.

                 Job asks, “But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding? Man knows not the price thereof; neither is it found in the land of the living.” ( Verses 12 and 13)

 Job recognizes that wisdom, what people need the most, cannot be found in the earth. He also knew that true wisdom was worth more than all the treasures on earth. 

                 “The depth says, it (wisdom) is not in me: and the sea says, 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.” (verses 14-19)

 The most precious of all gems, wisdom, cannot be found among men. People today have many ideas, theories and philosophies about life and living and have written countless books detailing “their own opinions.” What are these all worth? If God is not included in their theories and conclusions, they are worth NOTHING. Man himself cannot and will not find “wisdom” because wisdom is hidden, not in the earth, but in God alone. Job goes on to tell us where wisdom is found.

                 “God understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof. (verse 23) Only God knows of wisdom and understanding.

 Job then concludes the chapter with what God says. “And unto man he (God) said, Behold, the fear (reverence) of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” (verse 28)

    This chapter from Job sounds a lot like the book of Proverbs.

                 “The fear (reverence or awe) of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding. For by me (wisdom) thy days shall be multiplied, and the years of thy life shall be increased.“  (Proverbs 9:10 and 11)

 The reverence of God is the “beginning” of wisdom. This is very first precept one should learn. All wisdom is based upon this simple principle. This is why all the people who we look to as intelligent or wise, unless they have learned this first lesson, they have already proven to be lacking.

                 It is interesting to note that in the ancient East, the book of Proverbs was taught to all young men so that they would be able to live life pleasing to God and man. And as they grew, they never forgot these basic principles of wisdom. All young people today (and older people as well) should study the book of Proverbs as their elementary education for the practical keys to live by. Proverbs also have some familiar scriptures that we saw in Job.

                 “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. Length of days is in her right hand; and in her left hand riches and honor. Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her: and happy is every one that retaineth her.” (Proverbs 3:13-18)

                  All of the gold and silver that you could possess cannot compare to the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. God said so. And He is the designer of life.

                                                 Love Always, Ray