281 "Surely there is a mine for silver And a place where they refine gold . 2 "Iron is taken from the dust , And copper is smelted from rock . 3 "Man puts an end to darkness , And to the farthest limit he searches out The rock in gloom and deep shadow . 4 "He sinks a shaft far from habitation , Forgotten by the foot ; They hang and swing to and fro far from men . 5 "The earth , from it comes food , And underneath it is turned up as fire . 6 "Its rocks are the source of sapphires , And its dust contains gold . 7 "The path no bird of prey knows , Nor has the falcon's eye caught sight of it. 8 "The proud beasts have not trodden it, Nor has the fierce lion passed over it. 9 "He puts his hand on the flint ; He overturns the mountains at the base . 10 "He hews out channels through the rocks , And his eye sees anything precious . 11 "He dams up the streams from flowing , And what is hidden he brings out to the light .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Job 28:1-11
Commentary on Job 28:1-11
(Read Job 28:1-11)
Job maintained that the dispensations of Providence were regulated by the highest wisdom. To confirm this, he showed of what a great deal of knowledge and wealth men may make themselves masters. The caverns of the earth may be discovered, but not the counsels of Heaven. Go to the miners, thou sluggard in religion, consider their ways, and be wise. Let their courage and diligence in seeking the wealth that perishes, shame us out of slothfulness and faint-heartedness in labouring for the true riches. How much better is it to get wisdom than gold! How much easier, and safer! Yet gold is sought for, but grace neglected. Will the hopes of precious things out of the earth, so men call them, though really they are paltry and perishing, be such a spur to industry, and shall not the certain prospect of truly precious things in heaven be much more so?