Free group study handout
Job 28: Group Study Handout
How to use: read Job 28 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.
Overview
Job 28 is a poetic exploration of where wisdom can be found. The chapter begins with a description of human efforts to mine precious metals and stones from the earth, demonstrating human ingenuity and the lengths people will go to uncover hidden treasures. Despite these efforts, true wisdom cannot be found through human labor or bought with earthly wealth.
Key verse
“To man he said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom. To depart from evil is understanding.’”
Job 28:28 (WEB)
Outline
- Job 28:1–11 Human Endeavors to Find Treasure
- Job 28:12–19 The Search for Wisdom
- Job 28:20–21 The Inaccessibility of Wisdom
- Job 28:22–27 Divine Knowledge of Wisdom
- Job 28:28 Defining True Wisdom
Discussion questions
- In v6, why is wisdom compared to 'sapphires' and 'dust of gold'?
- What do 'Destruction and Death' say in v22 about wisdom's accessibility?
- In vv. 12-13, how does Job contrast human knowledge with the search for wisdom?
- In v23, why is it significant that 'God understands its way' regarding wisdom?
- When have you sought treasure like 'gold' or 'silver' instead of wisdom?
Go deeper
Passages that echo Job 28: Proverbs 1, Proverbs 3, Proverbs 9.
Before next time: read Job 29.