Jeremiah 9:23-24

Jeremiah 9:23-24: "Thus says the LORD, “Let not a wise man boast of his wisdom, and let not the mighty man boast of his might, let not a rich man boast of his riches; but let him who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises lovingkindness, justice and righteousness on earth; for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD." -(NASB)

People used to tell me: "find what you're good at, what you love, and go with it..." That led me astray... it was like the wise boasting in wisdom, or the strong boasting in strength or the wealthy in wealth. Yes, God gave those things to people but only that God would be sought after and glorified -not so that we could acquire something that resembles pride, materialism and the American Dream.

God is the centrality of life, the very perfect focus. In seeking to know God we are living out our supreme goal as people: to know, worship and give God the glory. God wants to delight in us.

Well here God (never changing) tells us how to please Him within the Old Covenant parameters, Jr9:23-24 serves as a "tell-all" for how to cause delight in the Lord. All this revolves around proper boasting.

I usually see boasting as prideful and egotistical because it shows-off of one's excellence and therefore centering the acclaim and reactions for self-glorification. But here God suggests a pride-less boasting, one that reflects your own understanding and knowing of God. -That exalts the Lord.

It makes me think of the pro athletes that are so engrossed in their sport that their performance is their identity. Athletes boast excellence by breaking records, and consistently performing well in their sport. They are no longer able to disassociate themselves from the sport. Whether its verbal boasting or boasting through defeating the competitor, God is righteously jealous of that boasting. God desires for us to understand and know Him more than any top athlete can boast in their sport.

Notice that God doesn't describe "knowing Him" as memorizing the ten commandments, or the Book of Romans (though I'm sure that would be a blessing). Knowing God (in this passage) is about knowing God's agenda for His lovingkindness, His justice and His righteousness. So how can we boastfully come to know the justice, righteousness and lovingkindness of God. Its found in Jesus, in Scripture and in prayerfully asking. Its in the knowing to be full of the knowledge of who God is. Desiring to know Truth which comes only through God. And then we can boast and delight in obeying Him because we understand God's way...

Paul talks about boasting in similarly: "But, 'Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.' For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends (2Cor 10:17-18)."