Jeremiah 9:23,24

III. TRUE GLORY Jeremiah 9:23-24

TRANSLATION

(23) Thus says the LORD: Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom and let not the mighty man boast of his might nor the rich man boast of his wealth. (24) But let him that glories glory in this: The understanding and knowledge of Me, for I am the LORD who establishes kindness, justice and righteousness in the land because in these things I take delight (oracle of the LORD).

COMMENTS

The brief but beautiful treatment of true glory seems unrelated to either what precedes or what follows in the chapter. Men throughout history have been tempted to magnify the importance of wisdom, strength and wealth and fall down in adoration before this trinity in unholy worship. Wealth and strength are ephemeral and wisdom, if it is not rooted in reverent fear for God, is vain (cf. Psalms 111:10). Destruction and death await the nation or the individual who places undue confidence in the arm of flesh (Jeremiah 9:23). True glory belongs not to the wealthy, the strong, and the wise but to those who understand and know the Lord. To understand God means to have the correct insight into His divine nature; to know Him means to walk in intimate fellowship with Him day by day. Those who understand and know the Lord practice daily those things which are pleasing to Him. They demonstrate lovingkindness to those who are of the household of faith. They strive for justice for the underprivileged and weak. They walk in the paths of righteousness, i.e., right conduct. These are the qualities which make the relationship between God and man and these are the qualities which must characterize the relationship between the man of God and his fellowman (Jeremiah 9:24).