281 "We all know how silver seams the rocks, we've seen the stuff from which gold is refined, 2 We're aware of how iron is dug out of the ground and copper is smelted from rock. 3 Miners penetrate the earth's darkness, searching the roots of the mountains for ore, digging away in the suffocating darkness. 4 Far from civilization, far from the traffic, they cut a shaft, and are lowered into it by ropes. 5 Earth's surface is a field for grain, but its depths are a forge 6 Firing sapphires from stones and chiseling gold from rocks. 7 Vultures are blind to its riches, hawks never lay eyes on it. 8 Wild animals are oblivious to it, lions don't know it's there. 9 Miners hammer away at the rock, they uproot the mountains. 10 They tunnel through the rock and find all kinds of beautiful gems. 11 They discover the origins of rivers, and bring earth's secrets to 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?