Jeremiah 9:23-26
23 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, 24 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, declares the Lord.” 25 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will punish all those who are circumcised merely in the flesh— 26 Egypt, Judah, Edom, the sons of Ammon, Moab, and all who dwell in the desert who cut the corners of their hair, for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in heart.”
What do you boast of (verse 23)? What makes you "special"? For me as a child, it was my intellect that set me apart and made me better than others. For other people it may be their looks or their money or their sexual prowess. We often use fantasy and sexual immorality as a way of feeling better about ourselves. But what really matters from an eternal perspective is our relationship with God. "Let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me" (verse 24). This is what ultimately matters, not our wealth or wisdom or strength. Nor our religious affiliations. As the Lord goes on to say, He will "punish all those who are circumcised merely in the flesh" (verse 25). This is a reference to those who underwent a religious ritual and are publicly identified with God, yet who do not have a relationship with God. It's not about outward looks and appearances; God is interested in the heart.
Lord, You are the most important thing in my life; help me to know You more.
23 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, 24 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, declares the Lord.” 25 “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will punish all those who are circumcised merely in the flesh— 26 Egypt, Judah, Edom, the sons of Ammon, Moab, and all who dwell in the desert who cut the corners of their hair, for all these nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in heart.”
What do you boast of (verse 23)? What makes you "special"? For me as a child, it was my intellect that set me apart and made me better than others. For other people it may be their looks or their money or their sexual prowess. We often use fantasy and sexual immorality as a way of feeling better about ourselves. But what really matters from an eternal perspective is our relationship with God. "Let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me" (verse 24). This is what ultimately matters, not our wealth or wisdom or strength. Nor our religious affiliations. As the Lord goes on to say, He will "punish all those who are circumcised merely in the flesh" (verse 25). This is a reference to those who underwent a religious ritual and are publicly identified with God, yet who do not have a relationship with God. It's not about outward looks and appearances; God is interested in the heart.
Lord, You are the most important thing in my life; help me to know You more.