#3 Poem, about the trials of Job:
Where Can Wisdom Be Found?
Job spoke with three friends one day,
hoping their counsel would show him the way.
“Perhaps,” Job thought, “I will see
that in these three wisdom does be.
Eliphaz began, and was first to claim,
“Wisdom is with me; for a vision I received in His Name.”
Bildad added immediately, “Wisdom is with me;
for through the years, many truths God has taught me.”
Zophar heard them speak, and added, “Wisdom is with me;
I will tell you of great revelations given to me.”
But in none of their visions, nor advice was found
the answers needed; so Job wore a frown
and asked, “Where can Wisdom Be Found, anyway?”
It was not found in the counsel that seemed to forever last.
None of the friends’ counsel, this test passed.
It was not found in past experiences; for this experience was new.
Job turned to his three friends - none of them knew what to do.
It was not found in past revelations or past prophetic words.
This was a new situation and demanded a fresh, pertinent word.
Job’s friends’ revelations were for some other person, or some other time.
Then those revelations would have been words fitly spoken
at a proper and due time.
Then young Elihu began to speak by the Spirit of God
and answers flowed from his mouth as a correcting rod.
Then God Himself entered and spoke more words besides.
So many were His reproofs that Job wanted to hide.
God then revealed to Job Leviathan, who rules over the children of pride.
That was his real enemy – a destroyer sent from the father of lies.
It was he who stole, killed, and destroyed with vicious attacks
and then accused God of committing those acts!
Learning about the one who causes destruction in peoples’ lives
was critical for one to understand the answer to Job’s “why?”.
So answers did come to Job on that day
when the Almighty Himself showed Job the way.
Job realized then that he should never complain,
but trust in God’s goodness and from all fear refrain.
The answer was found in worshiping and trusting God as Job did at the start.
And no matter how hot the fire became, to guard his mouth and his heart.
And to remember that to direct one’s way is not found in man,
but each must depend upon God’s Almighty hand.
When trials are severe, our stand must be
one of fearing the Lord and godly humility.
So God caused all the discussion to cease
and He had Job sit down at His Wisdom-feast.
“You will not go wrong,” God did say,
“when you are patient and seek Me to show you the way.
For the wisdom that you need, when faced with a test
is found in Me, Who gives generously and leads you to the best.”
Then every blessing Job had before
was restored to him by the Lord:
riches, honor, life, and health,
and increase in spiritual wealth:
greater perseverance, understanding, and rewards
and stronger hope and better character –
this was Job’s end, intended by the Lord.
And now, friends, we have a better covenant, ratified by Jesus’ blood.
So when tests and trials assail us, coming in like a flood,
we hold fast to God’s promise that in Christ we are blessed.
And we go to the One who is meek and lowly, and will surely give us rest.
(Copyright 2018 by Stephen Long. Poem is based on the following Scriptures: Job 2:11, 4:1, 12-21, 8:1-22, 11:1-20, Proverbs 15:23, Job 32:2-37, 38:1-40:24, 41:1-34, John 10:10, Job 1:20-22, Jeremiah 10:23, Job 38:1-41:34, 42:10-17, Proverbs 22:4, James 1:2-4, 11, 5:11, Romans 5:3-5, Matthew 11:28-30).