Readings for today: Job 28-30, 2 Corinthians 2:12-17, Psalms 42, Proverbs 22:7
Human beings are amazing creatures. Capable of incredible things. We have split the atom. Probed the depths of our solar system. Studied life at a molecular level. We have delved deep into the earth. Sent our submarines into the ocean’s depths to search out her mysteries. We have been to the top of the highest mountains. Nothing seems beyond our grasp. We have gained so much knowledge over the centuries. So much information. What we lack is wisdom.
In his bestseller, Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, Yuval Harari catalogues the miraculous story of the human race. How did this one species come to dominate the earth? How were they able to accomplish so much in so little time? And where do we go from here? He’s not optimistic. “Despite the astonishing things that humans are capable of doing, we remain unsure of our goals and we seem to be as discontented as ever. We have advanced from canoes to galleys to steamships to space shuttles – but nobody knows where we’re going. We are more powerful than ever before, but have very little idea what to do with all that power. Worse still, humans seem to be more irresponsible than ever. Self-made gods with only the laws of physics to keep us company, we are accountable to no one. We are consequently wreaking havoc on our fellow animals and on the surrounding ecosystem, seeking little more than our own comfort and amusement, yet never finding satisfaction. Is there anything more dangerous than dissatisfied and irresponsible gods who don’t know what they want?” Dr. Harari is not a Christian. In fact, he is an atheist but even he can see the lack of wisdom in our world.
Job’s diagnosis of the human condition isn’t all that different from Harari. Job too catalogues the amazing things human beings are able to do. Mine the depths of the earth. Till the soil and bring forth food. Redirect the courses of streams and rivers. Even overturn mountains and build roads through the wilderness. "But where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding? Man does not know its worth, and it is not found in the land of the living. The deep says, 'It is not in me,' and the sea says, 'It is not with me.' It cannot be bought for gold, and silver cannot be weighed as its price. It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, in precious onyx or sapphire. Gold and glass cannot equal it, nor can it be exchanged for jewels of fine gold. No mention shall be made of coral or of crystal; the price of wisdom is above pearls. The topaz of Ethiopia cannot equal it, nor can it be valued in pure gold. "From where, then, does wisdom come? And where is the place of understanding? It is hidden from the eyes of all living and concealed from the birds of the air. Abaddon and Death say, 'We have heard a rumor of it with our ears.' "God understands the way to it, and he knows its place.” (Job 28:12-23)
Only God knows the way to wisdom. Humanity for all her astonishing ability simply cannot manufacture it on her own. It is a gift. It comes to us from God. It requires humility. Submission. Relinquishing our pride and bowing the knee before our Creator. “And God said to man, 'Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.'" (Job 28:28) Our world suffers terribly from lack of wisdom. We spend our lives trying to solve the very problems we create. We reject God’s wisdom when it comes to sexuality. The result is abortion, sexually transmitted disease, sexual abuse, the objectification of the human body, and broken relationships. We reject God’s wisdom when it comes to wealth. The result is the rich get richer while the poor suffer. We reject God’s wisdom when it comes to creation care. The result is a world on fire and a climate that is getting more extreme with each passing year. When will we learn? When will we finally surrender? When will we finally let go and let God have control over all of life?
Readings for tomorrow: Job 31-33, 2 Corinthians 3, Psalms 43, Proverbs 22:8-9