281 Surely there is for silver a source, And a place for the gold they refine; 2 Iron from the dust is taken, And 'from' the firm stone brass. 3 An end hath he set to darkness, And to all perfection he is searching, A stone of darkness and death-shade. 4 A stream hath broken out from a sojourner, Those forgotten of the foot, They were low, from man they wandered. 5 The earth! from it cometh forth bread, And its under-part is turned like fire. 6 A place of the sapphire 'are' its stones, And it hath dust of gold. 7 A path—not known it hath a ravenous fowl, Nor scorched it hath an eye of the kite, 8 Nor trodden it have the sons of pride, Not passed over it hath the fierce lion. 9 Against the flint he sent forth his hand, He overturned from the root mountains. 10 Among rocks, brooks he hath cleaved, And every precious thing hath his eye seen. 11 From overflowing floods he hath bound, And the hidden thing bringeth out '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?