The poem in Job 28 starts with a description of the great effort men expend to find precious metals and gems in the earth; gold and diamonds are well hidden.  Then a powerful question is posed in verse 12: “But where shall wisdom be found?  And where is the place of understanding?”  Wisdom’s value exceeds that of gold, silver, onyx, and sapphires, crystal, pearls or topaz (verses 15-19).

Verse 23 points to the answer: “God understands the way to it, and he knows its place.” This is as it should be, because wisdom was present when God created the universe (Proverbs 8.22-31).  In the last verse of Job 28, God tells man, “Behold, the fear of the LORD, that is wisdom, and to turn away from evil is understanding.”

This coupling of fear of the LORD with turning from evil is repeated in many places in scripture (see Proverbs 3.7, 14.16, 16.6 and Ecclesiastes 12.13).   Turning from evil sounds like “repent” – more than being sorry or remorseful, but vowing and striving to stay away from sin.  And fear of the LORD sounds a lot like “believe” in Him.

So we can say that Jesus’ call to “repent and believe” (Mark 1.15) is laced with godly wisdom.  The gospel of Jesus Christ, the offer of salvation through the cross and resurrection,  is not only good news, but it is wise.