In May of 2012, a 32-carat Burmese ruby diamond ring, designed by the House of Chaumet (a jeweller founded in 1780 that’s based in Paris), was sold for US$6.7 million, a new world record price for any ruby sold at auction. It was part of the collection of the late Lily Safra, a Brazilian born socialite, philanthropist and billionaire from Brazil, whose life was marked by tragedy.
Did you know that as valuable as rubies are, God tells us his wisdom is far better and much more valuable?
In Proverbs 8:11, we read, “For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it”. Just dwell on that verse for a moment. If I am honest with myself, I know what I’d choose and it’s not wisdom!
One of the key points of Job 28 is that God’s wisdom is the real treasure. It is priceless. “No mortal comprehends its worth…It cannot be bought with the finest gold, nor can its price be weighed out in silver… Neither gold nor crystal can compare with it, nor can it be had for jewels of gold. Coral and jasper are not worthy of mention; the price of wisdom is beyond rubies…” (13-19).
King Solomon underscores its immeasurable value in Proverbs 4:5-8, “Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honour you”.
The key to receiving God’s priceless wisdom is the fear of the Lord (Job 28:28) but what does that look like? Proverbs 3:5-7 gives us a clue: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil”.
The fear of the Lord means we stop believing in our own hype, we intentionally reject self-reliance and self-sufficiency. It means we work against the mindset, “It’s my way or the highway”. It means we are quick to run to the Lord, acknowledging our dependence on him and asking for his help and guidance. It means we willingly seek out and listen to advice (not approval or agreement) from our brothers and sisters (see Proverbs 12:15). We have this warning from Proverbs 26:12, “Do you see a person wise in their own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for them”.
‘Lord, grow our faith in you!’
Mark Ng
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