KNOWING GOD & HIS ATTRIBUTES – the ONLY REASON to GLORY

 

August 9 Bible Reading: Jeremiah Chapters 7-9

KNOWING GOD & HIS ATTRIBUTES – the ONLY REASON to GLORY

Thus says the Lord: "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, let not the mighty man glory in his might, nor let the rich man glory in his riches; but let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the Lord, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight," says the Lord. (Jer 9:23-24)

Jeremiah prophesies from the Temple gates and challenges the people of Judah. After lamenting their foolishness of following vain idols, Jeremiah turns their attention to the true source of wisdom—the Lord Himself (9:23–10:25). True wisdom was to be found in the consistent following of the three central qualities of spiritual life: lovingkindness (the exercise of true covenant loyalty showing God’s faithfulness to His covenant with Israel), judgment (the consistent application of true justice for all), and righteousness (the maintenance of what was right in the sight of the Lord in all of life). These three characteristic qualities of the Lord are revealed and exercised in His covenant with Israel as well.

All subjects of man’s boasting prove untrustworthy. Man glories in wisdom, power, and riches. The wise Solomon, one of the most wealthy and powerful men who ever lived, testifies that all these are vanities (Eccl. 1:2–4). Judah’s trust in these brought her destruction. The only way of escape is to seek to know and understand God (Eccl. 12:13). Salvation is for all who know God and trust His attributes (vs. 23–24), while judgment is for all who are unbelievers in heart (vs. 25–26).

This is what Herbert Livingston remarked about our scripture portion (Jer 9:23-24): “These verses are worthy to be memorized. Humans strive for wisdom, might, and riches, while God delights in lovingkindness, justice, and righteousness. Blessed is the one who understands the Lord so as to delight in what He delights." The only true reality for us is to understand and know God intimately. All else is transitory, including human wisdom, might, and riches. We should find our real meaning and true worth in the fact that we know God and celebrate His attributes. True knowledge of God resulting from an intimate relationship with God will be demonstrated in our character as well. Knowing God and His attributes – this is the only reason for us to glory!

But God has chosen the foolish things of the world to put to shame the wise, and God has chosen the weak things of the world to put to shame the things which are mighty; and the base things of the world and the things which are despised God has chosen, and the things which are not, to bring to nothing the things that are, that no flesh should glory in His presence. But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption--that, as it is written, "He who glories, let him glory in the Lord." (1 Cor 1:27-31)