SECRETS OF WISDOM (1)

“That He would show you the SECRETS of WISDOM! For they would double your prudence” – Job 11:6a

Despite his apparently critical and shallow stance, Zophar, one of Job’s friends, alluded to God’s SECRETS of WISDOM: “But oh, that God would speak, and open His lips against you, that He would show you the SECRETS of WISDOM! For they would double your prudence...” (Job 11:5-6a). Verse 7 uses another term: “Can you search out the DEEP THINGS of GOD”? The New International Version refers to “the MYSTERIES of GOD.” Angered at what he considered to be Job’s irreverent talk; Zophar could no longer be silent. He rebuked Job for claiming to be an innocent victim of injustice, and asserted that if Job really suffered for his sin, it would be much worse (vv.4-6). What we can bring out is: God’s Wisdom is limitless; hence His judgements must be true. Noone can deceive Him. He sees people as they really are!

All of Job’s four friends rebuked him for claiming he had not sinned against God for the suffering that befell him. Although Zophar’s position represented a narrow and inaccurate evaluation of Job’s situation, there are pertinent lessons in few of his assertions. Beyond accusing Job of sin, Zophar was telling him that there are many aspects of wisdom that Job might not know; hence he needed to humble himself and recognize that his own wisdom and righteousness were nothing compared to God’s Wisdom and Justice. True Wisdom comes from acknowledging our limitations and seeking guidance from God.

The “Secrets of Wisdom” describe the unsearchable depths of God’s Wisdom in dealing with His creatures – the hidden things that pertain to Wisdom. These are far greater – “double” – manifold and plenty, than what is apparent to the human senses: “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgements and His ways past finding out.” God’s Wisdom Secrets are infinitely greater than that which is revealed by His works. The greatest part of what is known of God is the least part of His Perfections! We do not even know our own selves and cannot fully judge our motives to the depth that the all-knowing God knows us and can judge us!

God has a perfect knowledge of all persons and things, and sees them all, even that which is most secret, at one clear, certain, and unerring view: “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (Heb.4:13). Proverbs 15:3 says: “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.” On the platform of Redemption however, Believers in Christ are granted access into God’s unfathomable Wisdom in its Manifold dimensions: “To the intent that now the MANIFOLD WISDOM of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places” (Eph.3:10).