During that early age in which Job lived, man was the same as he is today in his desire after wealth. He invented methods to attain his purpose, even if his life was imperilled thereby; but seldom did he evince the desire to know God and to walk in His ways.

A graphic description is given in Job 28 of the lust for treasure that overcomes those dangers that threaten to block the endeavor to gratify that lust. Therein man is seen as

A MINER DIGGING FOR PRECIOUS METALS,

silver, gold, iron and brass [copper]. To further his plans he secures a light that he may put "an end to darkness" in his operations in "the shadow of death." And a good translation of Mr. Darby's French Version says:"He openeth a shaft far from the inhabitants [of the earth]:forgotten of the foot, they hang suspended; away below men they hover." That is, the miner forsakes human companionship in order to exploit some region where, having opened a shaft, he lowers himself into the bowels of the earth in quest of gold.

Meanwhile the earth smiling in the sunshine, and presenting on its friendly breast

THE BREAD OR ANOTHER YEAR

is disemboweled;-"It is turned up as it were fire." Man ceases to find satisfaction in the living furnished by a farm, and digs for sapphires and gold. He spends his days tunneling mole-like beneath the earth's surface; he is engaged in making a subterranean path "which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture's eye hath not seen:the lion's whelps have not trodden it, nor the fierce lion passed by it." He even learns to blast, and "overturneth the mountains by [at] the roots" to get at their treasures. And although new perils menace him, overflowing floods threatening his life, with fortitude he learns to divert those floods from his mine;

HE BINDETH THE FLOODS FROM OVERFLOWING

Thus undisturbed he examines the secret places, and "his eye seeth every precious thing" gleaming where his light penetrates, enabling him to appropriate what he seeks (28:1-11). Thus we find mankind in 1900 B.C. exhibiting the same qualities as his Klondike brothers of 1900 A.D.

Now these holy records of a past age are not condemnatory of such proceedings, but raise the question:If men go to such lengths to secure the hidden treasures of the earth, why do so few exhibit a desire after treasure so much more valuable? Where can we find eager and determined seekers who ask:"Where shall wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?"

That these exceed in value the things men so eagerly scramble for is told us in verses 13-19. It is said that no expert can appraise them nor can explorers discover their source. Divers have been able to bring up from the depths vast treasures, but nothing comparable to the divine values so neglected by mankind in general. All the things men risk their lives to acquire cannot buy these values, no gem specialist can price them. They are in a class where the mention of coral, pearls, rubies or the topaz of Ethiopia is out of place. "Whence then cometh wisdom? And where is the place of understanding?" Thank God, we can say that, although unseen by "the fowls of the air," and even by "the eyes of all living," their fame has gone forth. "Destruction and death say, We have heard the fame thereof with our ears." Who has not felt, even if not admitting it, that man has destroyed himself? Who has not mourned in the presence; of death? Yet into these conditions has gone forth the report of "wisdom and understanding." But who can answer our hard questions regarding these things? There is but One who can do so, and He is

NONE OTHER THAN GOD

He "understandeth the way thereof, and he knoweth the place thereof." And He it is who says:"Behold the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding."

This wisdom and understanding comes from above. The world by [its] wisdom knows not God (1 Cor. 1:21), it stops short of this knowledge. And when the apostle Paul preaches it, "not many wise" receive it. No wonder he asks:"Where is the wise?" when, as a class, he finds they are not in the Christian assembly but knows they are in heathen temples worshiping idols. And no wonder he delights to preach Christ who is to those called, "Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God" (ver. 24), One who delivers from an evil authority and enlightens with the knowledge of God.

A wonderful example of the power of this gospel is seen in the penitent thief at Calvary. In the darkness of utter alienation from God he joins with his companion in railing on Jesus. Nevertheless there the Saviour of sinners is, impartially "in the midst" and available to both, the story of unutterable love portrayed before their eyes. And there too does one thief become wise and understand. There does he begin to see things; are; there does the fear of God make him and, confessing his own sins, confess the sinlessness of the vicarious Sufferer at his side. There too does the glory of the Lord, saying:"Lord, remember Thou comest into Thy kingdom," to be told:"' I say unto thee, Today shalt thou be with Me paradise" (Luke 23:43).

True, he is not given the opportunity to demonstrate" his understanding by departure from evil, but his Saviour, who wrought redemption for him, perceives a work in him, whereby he abhors the evil he had done, and this abhorrence he confesses so publicly that wherever the gospel is preached that confession is related.

Verily that thief received wisdom and understanding, something infinitely better than gems or gold, and he found it in Christ. R. J. Reid