Job 28: Searching For Wisdom

Job 28:12 "But where can wisdom be found? Where does understanding dwell?"

Job spends this chapter riffing on wisdom. Why?

We've read about Solomon's treasured wisdom, so in general its important, but how does it apply to Job? Job's friends have discussed a lot of important things, but they have been pilloried for not applying them to Job's predicament. In what way would wisdom be useful to Job? Is he wise to keep pursuing God on this issue? Would wisdom once attained show Job why God did what he did? Or would it put Job at peace with never really receiving a satisfactory answer? 

The first eleven verses deal with the search for valuable things. A lot of effort and danger and commitment goes into mining for precious stones and useful materials. All these things are eventually found. 

But then we hear that man doesn't ascribe the value to wisdom that it deserves. Man doesn't know how valuable it truly is. Perhaps this is why there are so few searching? If, like Job says, God is the author of true wisdom, what does that make the knowledge of those who don't know him? Those who refuse to seek after him? The fear of the Lord is wisdom.