Where Shall Wisdom be Found?
A Sermon on Job 28:12
Originally preached May 14, 1961
Scripture
12But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding?
Sermon Description
People are all on a constant mission for knowledge and information but do not realize that this will not satisfy. In this sermon from Job 28:12 titled “Where Shall Wisdom Be Found?” Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones teaches that what is really needed is wisdom and understanding. As one looks through the lens of Job in the Old Testament, Dr. Lloyd-Jones shows that wisdom will give true peace and quietness of heart, not knowledge. Job wanted to know why he had been so afflicted in his life, but he would not learn this. Rather he would learn to come before the Lord as a child, knowing nothing, and he would receive wisdom. Do not strive after knowledge, but take wisdom from the Lord as a free gift. One should acknowledge their inability and dwell as a child in God’s presence and that is where they will find true contentedness.
Sermon Breakdown
- The book of Job deals with the problem of suffering and the meaning of life.
- The chapter being discussed, Job 28, is one of the most important chapters in the book. It provides an answer not just to Job's suffering but to life's deepest questions.
- The chapter discusses the difference between knowledge and wisdom. Modern man values knowledge but lacks wisdom.
- Knowledge is the accumulation of facts and information. Wisdom is the ability to apply knowledge in a way that promotes human flourishing.
- Modern man is proud of his knowledge and believes it makes him superior to previous generations. But knowledge alone does not lead to wisdom or happiness.
- Though we have advanced scientifically and technologically, the deepest problems of human existence remain the same. Life is still difficult, and we still struggle with purpose and meaning.
- The world's problems stem from a lack of wisdom, not a lack of knowledge. We have more knowledge but less wisdom than previous generations.
- Wisdom is more precious than any material riches. It leads to life, peace, contentment, and addresses life's deepest questions in a way that knowledge alone cannot.
- Man cannot attain wisdom through his own efforts. It is a gift from God, not something that can be found through human searching or bought with money.
- The only way to find wisdom is through "the fear of the Lord"—humbling ourselves before God, acknowledging our ignorance and need, and accepting his revelation and salvation in Christ.
- When we find wisdom in God, we gain understanding—insight into ourselves, the world, and life that transcends mere knowledge. We find purpose, meaning, and eternal hope.
Old Testament
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones
Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones (1899-1981) was a Welsh evangelical minister who preached and taught in the Reformed tradition. His principal ministry was at Westminster Chapel, in central London, from 1939-1968, where he delivered multi-year expositions on books of the bible such as Romans, Ephesians and the Gospel of John. In addition to the MLJ Trust’s collection of 1,600 of these sermons in audio format, most of these great sermon series are available in book form (including a 14 volume collection of the Romans sermons), as are other series such as "Spiritual Depression", "Studies in the Sermon on the Mount" and "Great Biblical Doctrines". He is considered by many evangelical leaders today to be an authority on biblical truth and the sufficiency of Scripture.