July 28

Jeremiah Rebukes an Unfaithful Nation (Continued) - Jeremiah 7:1-34, 8:1-22, 9:1-26

"Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom
or the strong man boast of his strength
or the rich man boast of his riches,
but let him who boasts boast about this:
that he understands and knows Me,
that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight," declares the Lord.
Jeremiah 9:23-24

This passage intrigues me given its context. Jeremiah has been describing how God will punish and destroy Judah because they have turned to other gods. Then in the midst of this tale of wailing and woe is this beautiful thought. God wants to make sure that we know that pain and punishment are not what He's all about. He wants so much better for us.

So why is it He made a creature that learns and appreciates so much more in times of need and despair rather than in times of joy and blessing?

He wants us to know His kindness and justice and righteousness in which He delights. Sort of a weird three. When we think about justice and righteousness, we tend to think about something unyielding. I don't think that's God's brand of those attributes. Because of His kindness.

He wants us to "understand" and " know" Him. Who can possibly do that? No one. Then He qualifies what He means by that. If we know the things He truly delights in - kindness, justice and righteousness - then we've come as close as man can to understanding and knowing Him.

Lord knows.


-- Post From My iPhone