And We Thought...

AND WE THOUGHT...

The phrase “Patience of Job” is not so much inked as engraved not only in the chronicles of English literature but also in the minds of every Bible student. Whenever our mind zeroes in on this great hero of faith, it is his perseverance and patience which stand out as the Rock of Gibraltar. Why even the NT Writer “Mr. Practical” James makes a mention of Job in the matter of patience (James 5:10-11). So it may surprise some, if I say that besides patience, there is yet another prominent feather in his cap…WISDOM! Let it be said here that Wisdom is not worldly intelligence. While intelligence is all about viewing things from human perspective, Wisdom from above (James 3:17) is all about viewing things from the very eyes of God. As someone said “All wise men are intelligent but not all intelligent men are wise”. Among other things, a wise man having the “mind of God, who is alive from eternity into eternity” is also bound to be well ahead of times…

For the spiritually discerning, this trait of Job (was he wiser than King Solomon himself?) would be as clear as daylight. In this sermon, before I bring into limelight some areas’ where Job’s wisdom comes out clear as a crystal, permit me to add here that this Sheik of the Land of UZ (third son of Issachar, son of Jacob-Genesis 46:13/I Chronicles 7:1/Job 1:1-KJV) lived before even Moses was born and the Law (to be more precise the Decalogue) was received at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19). Now let’s go “exploring” Job’s wisdom… (Job himself goes “exploring Wisdom” - a La Indy- in Chapter 28 of the Book bearing his name before nailing the truth)

Perceptivity

Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Guess who said that FIRST (trailblazers’ need to be given their due). No, not King Solomon (Proverbs 9:10), it was Job (Job 28:28) at a time the Wisest King was not even born. Now how’s that for perceptivity!!! Honestly, wisdom of Job in identifying the “source of wisdom” ought not to come as a surprise to the discerning, for he had it in him to do it. Wasn’t the “certificate” that Job “reverentially feared the Lord” given by none other than the Creator himself (Job 1:8)? So it follows as day follows night that because Job feared the Lord, he would exude wisdom. While on the subject, reverential fear is not be equated with frantic fear, we see in some communities whenever the subject of the Almighty is discussed. Frantic fear will make one look at the Master of the universe as a cruel despot, ever ready with a punishing rod to whip any one slipping-up even marginally in the matter of holiness, whereas reverential fear will say “oh, I won’t follow the path of folly, for it would break my Creator’s heart, who loves me so much”.

Ingenuity

Pray tell me what is the prime qualification to be a Judge who has to listen to arguments from either side and then decide who’s right and who’s wrong? WISDOM for you Ladies and Gentleman! No tom, dick and harry can become a Judge but only one (I reiterate) who can see black as black and white as white with no shades of grey having put his grey cells into the hands of the Divine, so to speak. And who should be one of Judges’ in the Land of UZ (Job 1:1). Job again…consider this Scripture…

“Those were the days when I went to the city gate and took my place among the honored leaders. …Everything I did was honest. Righteousness covered me like a robe, and I wore justice like a turban. I served as eyes for the blind and feet for the lame. I was a father to the poor and assisted strangers who needed help. I broke the jaws of godless oppressors and plucked their victims from their teeth.” (Job 29:7, 14-17)

Now Judge for yourself about Job’s wisdom!!!

Prosperity

A man possessing an Alladin Lamp (read God-given Wisdom in this case) ought to be wealthy. So is it any surprise that Job was wealthy (Job 1:3). Mind you, he earned his wealth the legitimate way without cutting corners.

Using his wisdom, doubtless he treated his servants fairly (Job 31:13-15) at a time Russi Modi (a Steel Magnate and the greatest Manager of Corporate India in my book) was not even born. Want to know the secret behind Russi Modi’s managerial success? The Extract below says it all…

From the pages of “The Essence of True leadership (Be a Leader and not a Boss)” V.Balu,. D.B. Jain College, Chennai - 600 096. T. Nadu, S. India… The legendary Russi Mody of Tata Steel in India, was a phenomenal success with thousands of his company’s employees. Revealing the secret of his success at several forums, Russi always says that, he firmly believed and followed the two commandments of the Bible: "Do unto others as you would, have them, do unto you and love thy neighbor as thyself." Managers need nothing more than this secret to develop true friendship with their subordinates.