In ancient history, the ruby was known as "the king of gems". To some it represented integrity, devotion, happiness, healing, courage, romance, generosity, inspiration, and prosperity. In England, it was used for coronation rings and to this day enjoys popularity among royalty. Rubies have a red aura, which makes them appear bigger than they really are. Their average size is a little less than other gemstones, but a premium ruby CT can be worth about $2,500.00 per carat in today's prices. Rubies are the rarest of all gemstones and command extremely high prices. Today, rubies have numerous applications: as styluses in turntables, tiny bearings in expensive wristwatches, and in rod form, they form a crucial component of the laser's core. When something is described as having the value of a ruby or many rubies, that item is esteemed to be of exceedingly high value. Rubies and sapphires are both varieties of the same mineral.
The book of Job is fascinating because of the interaction between Job and God. Job made some statements that God said are correct (Job 42:7). Job spoke what was right about God in his discourse. In his comments about wisdom, Job describes precious stones that are formed deep under the ground. He states that bread comes from the earth, but from deep within the earth we find the source of sapphires, gold, coral and quartz and rubies (Job 28:5-19). Job stated that wisdom had a far greater value than any gem that could be found. He also states that there is no place where a person can mine or find wisdom in the way precious gems can be found. He wrote that man does not appreciate its value and then Job continues to write where wisdom can indeed be found. It is not something one can find in the earth. He asks "where can wisdom be found" since it is so valuable and "where does wisdom come from?" (Job 28:12-14,20). His answer is that only God understands the way to wisdom and where its place is. When God saw wisdom, He declared it, Job wrote (Job 28:23,27). Job's conclusion is that the fear of God - that is wisdom (verse 28). Wisdom is a gift God gives to some.
The book of Proverbs has much to say about wisdom. Other books in the Bible also have strong statements, but here we read that wisdom cries out to mankind. Wisdom is likened to a person who cries out, speaks and can be found. (Prov. 8:1). Wisdom will be spoken (verse 6). It is plain to him who understands and right to those who find knowledge (verse 9). There is nothing that can match the value of wisdom and it is better than rubies (verse 11). Furthermore, wisdom promises that "those who seek me diligently will find me" (verse 17). Blessed are those who keep the way of wisdom (verse 32). Blessed is the man who listens to me, wisdom says (verse 34). He who finds me finds life (verse 35). It is obvious that knowledge, understanding and their application is the most valuable asset we can ever have. When we seek and find wisdom, we have found the mind of God.
There may be a number of things that could be likened to rubies in value. One of them is a virtuous wife (Prov. 31:10). She is described as a wife of valor in the sense of all forms of excellence. Her value is placed far above that of rubies. We are not to understand that a virtuous wife exceeds the value of wisdom. Obviously she would possess wisdom. In this world, a woman of such value is rare and that is what makes her so valuable. King Solomon had a thousand wives and concubines from various lands and various stations in life and he commented that he could not find a single woman among them who could be considered virtuous (Eccl. 7:28). His wives were of various religious beliefs and worshipped idols. That finally led Solomon into sin. Certainly if Solomon's search was through the thousand he had near him, he would find unions that were made for the sake of political gain, power, position and anything but virtue or the wish to love and be true to a husband. Considering Solomon - it should also be obvious that he was not virtuous. Solomon wrote that he found more bitter than death, a woman's heart that was snares, nets and chains (Eccl. 7:26). There are accounts of godly women in Scripture who were virtuous, trustworthy and wise in their connection with God. Women such as Queen Esther, Ruth, Hannah, Mary and Elizabeth come to mind. Solomon never met a converted woman partly because he looked outside of Israel for his wives.
Things that have great value can be considered like rubies. That gem is used to express something unique, hard to find and priceless. The single great goal that God has set before men is to receive the gift of eternal life and dwell in the Kingdom of God. Jesus spoke about that when He discussed the kingdom of heaven. He said it could be likened to finding a pearl of great price - we could say priceless. It was lying in a field, so a wise man bought the field with all he had (Matt. 13:45,46). He realized its value was greater that anything that he possessed. That is like finding a ruby that has great value. This teaching of Jesus also includes the finding and use of wisdom. We cannot separate the wisdom from God and its use from the result or outcome, which is to be an eternal member of the family of God, a brother to Christ and a co-heir of all that has been created. (Rom. 8:17,29). The value of this gift is so great that Paul wrote that nothing we could experience on earth in suffering or sorrow could compare to the value of the gift (Rom. 8:18). Part of the reason rubies are valuable is that it takes a lot of hard work to find them because they are rare and buried deep in the earth.
Gold, silver and gems are considered to be items of great value and humans have put great effort into accumulating them. Life is temporary and although it is not a sin to have assets and wealth, if we put that above the most important item - eternal life, then we have nothing. This life ends and we can take nothing with us into the grave. All the rubies of the world will not extend our life. Recognizing the greatest ruby or pearl of all and being willing to put our efforts into getting and keeping that priceless asset is where true value and riches lies. That greatest ruby is what God offers when He offers the gift of eternal life (Rom. 6:23). There is a sort of wisdom that has been developed on earth and fashioned among men, but it is influenced and directed by Satan who is God's adversary. James wrote that this sort of wisdom is self-seeking, envious, boastful and it turns from truth when truth is not convenient. It is earthly, sensual and demonic (James 3:13-15). Envy, self-seeking and confusion as well as every evil thing is there. That was the trap that King Solomon fell into and it cost him the loss of all the promised blessings God offered him. Israel went into ruin under the rule of Solomon. The wisdom God offered was not used well and became tainted by the perverted wisdom of Satan.
Wisdom that comes from God is pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits without partiality and without hypocrisy (James 3:17). We can list items that are more valuable that gold or rubies. Among them would be: a healthy body and a healthy mind, a heart that is compassionate toward others, finding others who are like brothers and sisters, a clear conscience, contentment, a peaceful home, enjoyment of the simple things in life, knowing that you are loved by others, being able to give and share of yourself and your goods. The most valuable things in life are not things that can be bought with gold or rubies. They are the intangibles that we cannot dig from the ground. They are easily accessible to those who seek first the Kingdom of God (Matt. 6:33). The unmatched value of all God's gifts is eternal life. That has no match.