Where then does wisdom come from? Where does understanding dwell? – Job 28:20

Today's Scripture Reading (July 25, 2021): Job 28

In William Shakespeare's "As you like it," both Touchstone and William are pursuing the interest of their hearts, a dull-witted girl named Audrey. And early in Act 5, the two characters are locked in a conversation. Touchstone asks his young friend if he considers himself to be wise. William responds that he does. Touchstone replies to his young friend with these words; 

Thou sayest well. I do now remember a saying, "The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool. The heathen philosopher, when he had a desire to eat a grape, would open his lips when he put it into his mouth; meaning thereby that grapes were made to eat and lips to open (William Shakespeare, As You Like It).

Touchstone seems to believe that the philosopher's wisdom is no more advanced than that of my three-year-old grandson. They both understand that grapes are meant to be eaten, and in that process, those mouths have to open. Of course, there is also a visual irony in the words of Touchstone. As he tells young William that "The fool doth think he is wise, but the wise man knows himself to be a fool," the audience immediately understands Touchstone's message, even if William misses it. Touchstone is a court jester, literally a fool. While William might think that he is wise, Touchstone, and the audience, knows that Touchstone playing the role of a fool is part of the proof of his wisdom. Throughout the play, in his role as the court jester, Touchstone can offer his wisdom, which cannot be denied, yet often is because it comes from a fool.

Job asks the question, from where does wisdom come. He has just argued that miners know where gold comes from, and they mine deep into the earth to claim their prize, but the bigger question is why we don't spend as much energy in the pursuit of wisdom. Where can we mine for the rare jewel we call wisdom?

Of course, the problem is that wisdom cannot be found by digging deep into the earth or through any human effort. Wisdom is only discovered by waiting on the word of God. He is the only source of true wisdom, and we can only receive it if we are willing to wait and listen to his divine revelation. And, often, that is a more challenging task than digging in the earth searching for the things that are precious to us.

Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Job 29