Jeremiah 9:23-24
This is what the LORD says:
“Let not the wise boast of their wisdom
or the strong boast of their strength
or the rich boast of their riches,
but let the one who boasts boast about this:
that they have the understanding to know me,
that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,”
declares the LORD.
Here God seems to encourage us to grow closer to Him through faith, because this is what delights Him. An academic knowledge of our faith (wisdom), it seems, does not necessarily bring one closer to God. (It will be interesting to see what our Divinity school graduates say about this.) Maybe this relates to Jesus’ words about believing as a child believes. In any event, we are not to boast about our knowledge, but rather to ‘boast’ about our relationship with God. The word choices make this more difficult than it needs to be, I think. In any event, I am encouraged to grow closer to God through the ways that are available and natural to me. (I will not stress over getting confused about the order of the prophets.)
Holy Lord, you have made it clear to me that some things bring me closer to you, and others do not. Help me to simply grow in my faith. I want to be closer to you. Amen
Becky, transforming
Jeremiah 9:23-24
“To Boast” is such a strong verb. Although I do not hide my faith, I certainly do not boast about it. I’ve always felt that my actions and way of living were example enough. Maybe I was wrong.
Prayer: Gracious God, help me share your love more openly so you may delight in me. Amen
Monday October 7th, 2024
Jeremiah 9:23-24
Thus says the Lord: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the Lord who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight.
I don’t believe it is wrong to have wisdom, nor strength, nor plenty of wealth , but if such a person has such a high opinion of themselves, always bragging about all that they have and do not boast about our God it is terribly wrong. The…
Jeremiah 9:23-24
Boasting about our earthly gifts is an empty exercise in jaw-flapping that, to borrow from Shakespeare, is “full of sound and fury, but signifying nothing.” I was reminded of what Paul wrote to the Ephesians (2:9) along these lines. Could he have been thinking about this passage from Jeremiah? To pick up Becky’s thread, I’m not so sure academic knowledge or knowledge in general necessarily translates into wisdom, but I do heartily agree that “child-like” faith, without the adult hubris that fills us with excuses and rationalizations for disobedience is in itself wise. In Proverbs we are told the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. It really boils down to a theology of God that…