Jeremiah 9:22-26: a reflection

22Speak, “The LORD says, “‘The dead bodies of men will fall as dung on the open field, and as the handful after the harvester. No one will gather them.’” 23The LORD says, “Don’t let the wise man glory in his wisdom. Don’t let the mighty man glory in his might. Don’t let the rich man glory in his riches. 24But let him who glories glory in this, that he has understanding, and knows me, that I am the LORD who exercises loving kindness, justice, and righteousness on the earth, for I delight in these things,” says the LORD. 25“Behold, the days come,” says the LORD, “that I will punish all those who are circumcised only in their flesh: 26Egypt, Judah, Edom, the children of Ammon, Moab, and all who have the corners of their hair cut off, who dwell in the wilderness, for all the nations are uncircumcised, and all the house of Israel are uncircumcised in heart.”

God names the three things people most naturally take pride in, and tells us not to glory in any of them. Let not the wise boast in their wisdom, he says, nor the strong in their strength, nor the rich in their riches. Wisdom, strength, wealth, these are the classic sources of human pride, the things we point to and say, this is what makes me matter. And God says, do not build your boast on any of them.

Instead, he redirects glory to one thing: but let the one who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness. The only worthy boast, God says, is knowing him. Not what you have achieved or accumulated or figured out, but that you know the God of steadfast love. That is the ground of glory that will not crumble.

This is worth sitting with, because we so easily locate our worth in exactly the three things God names. We quietly boast in being smart, or capable, or comfortable, and feel our value rise and fall with them. God offers something steadier: your deepest worth is not in what you have or can do, but in knowing him, and being known by him. Let that be your boast. When you are tempted to find your significance in wisdom, strength, or wealth, return to the one thing worth glorying in: that you know the Lord.

Lord, I so easily boast in the things the world prizes, wisdom, strength, wealth, and let my worth rise and fall with them. Teach me to glory only in this: that I know you, the God of steadfast love, justice, and righteousness. Be my deepest boast and my true worth.