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Job 28:15-19
15 It cannot be gotten [nathan] for gold [cagowr], neither shall silver [keceph] be weighed [shaqal] for the price [machiyr] thereof.
16 It cannot be valued [calah] with the gold [kethem] of Ophir ['Owphiyr], with the precious [yaqar] onyx [shoham], or the sapphire [cappiyr].
17 The gold [zahab] and the crystal [zakuwkiyth] cannot equal [`arak] it: and the exchange [tamuwrah] of it shall not be for jewels [kaliy] of fine gold [paz].
18 No mention [zakar] shall be made of coral [ra'mah], or of pearls [gabiysh]: for the price [meshek] of wisdom [chokmah] is above rubies [paniyn].
19 The topaz [pitdah] of Ethiopia [Kuwsh] shall not equal [`arak] it, neither shall it be valued [calah] with pure [tahowr] gold [kethem]. KJV-Interlinear
15 'Pure gold cannot be given in exchange for it, Nor can silver be weighed as its price. 16 'It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, In precious onyx, or sapphire. 17 'Gold or glass cannot equal it, Nor can it be exchanged for articles of fine gold. 18 'Coral and crystal are not to be mentioned; And the acquisition of wisdom is above that of pearls. 19 'The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, Nor can it be valued in pure gold. NASB
Nothing can compare to wisdom. No amount of money, no amount of wealth, nothing that you care about in this life, certainly nothing that you have made important to you.
Job uses various resources, or things made out of them, to describe things of value, and then to compare them to wisdom. Nothing imaginable in this world can be compared to the value of wisdom.
From the topaz of Ethiopia to the coral off the southern tip of India, in order to designate a broad region from which man has gone and discovered things of value. From the mines of Africa, to the under sea discoveries of coral, to mountain emeralds, there is no region, no place too far nor too difficult to get to, in which man has obtained the riches that this world has to offer.
Gold is mentioned in this passage, using four different words.
The first, designates something of value which is hidden, or better stated, something of extreme value to you, which you have, and because of its value or importance to you, you hide it away so that no one else can take it from your possession. It could be something from a family member, a keepsake of some kind, a memory or an heirloom. But regardless of what it is, it is important to you and you take great care in guarding it.
The second, is the gold of Ophir, which suggests that this gold was refined with very little impurities. Back in those ancient days, refining techniques would have been substandard in most places, but out of Ophir, the quantities of gold, as well as the quality of the gold was apparently unmatched. Many centuries later, Solomon will receive barges of gold shipments annually, from Ophir. Ophir was probably in the southeast region of Arabia.
But anyway, out of Ophir came vast quantities of gold, and for many centuries. So quantity and qualty is in view here.
The third and fourth words for gold, mentioned with crystal and jewels, refer to articles made out of gold. The third word refers to the color, and the fourth word refers to the actual raw gold itself.
So beautiful things can be made out of gold, and when combined with jewels or other ornaments, many things of beauty and value can be made. People look on these things with awe. Their eyes pop at the shimmer of color and beauty. The idea here is the visual lust, of looking at something and wanting it soooo bad, that its possession become extremely important to you. You want, you yearn, you wish, you hope, you just dream of having it.
Silver was a common medium of exchange, or money. Onyx or diamonds, crystals or clear or transparent minerals, sapphires, emeralds or rubies, or anything made with, or out of, these things, and therefore had value that has been desired throughout history.
Not like something like a clay pot, or an item which deteriorates over time, but these items possess intrinsic value. Their value continues throughout the passage of time. They are something which everyone throughout history, would desire, regardless of when or where they live in this world, regardless of the circumstances of their upbringing.
Such is the nature of Bible doctrine and the ultimate goal of wisdom, which comes only from the scriptures.
Do not limit your thinking to the specific words contained within the Bible, but view the Bible as the window though which you can view and see everything in life and beyond.
Bible doctrine is also that doorway through which you can pass, and live that life of truth. Something which you cannot gain from any other aspect of human life.
More valuable than any gold mine, diamond mine, jewel mine, any natural resource, or any manufacturing process. Wisdom transcends everything imaginable and beyond imagination.
Your spiritual life is the single most valuable possession that you can possibly have. Everything in this world is not yours for the taking. When you die, it all vanishes from your possession. But Bible doctrine in your soul, is Gods gift to you for a permanent owned possession, forever.
Bible doctrine translates into understanding, and then into wisdom, and builds up a fortification within your soul, which cannot be breached or removed.
Bible doctrine is the building block of wisdom, the target of Gods blessing. Gods blessing is infinite, therefore wisdom's value is infinite. Nothing in this world can approach that kind of value.
God gave you two assets with which to make investments - time and volition. What should your investment strategies be?
