THUS saith the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the LORD." (Jer. 9:23, 2423Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches: 24But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord. (Jeremiah 9:23‑24)). In a day like the present, when on all sides we find man boasting, either of his wisdom, his might, or his riches, it is well to hear these words of the LORD. He warns us not co glory or boast in that which can give no lasting happiness and joy, the wise man with all his knowledge, the mighty man with all his strength, and the rich man with all his wealth, will each own, if he is honest, that such things cannot give the satisfaction the heart craves for.
Solomon, the wisest king: that ever lived, made this confession: "I gave my heart to know wisdom, and to know madness and folly: I perceived that this also is vexation of spirit. For in much wisdom is much grief: and he that increaseth knowledge increaseth sorrow." (Ecc. 1:17, 18).
Then again we find the Lord Jesus in the parable of the rich man in Luke 12:16-2116And he spake a parable unto them, saying, The ground of a certain rich man brought forth plentifully: 17And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits? 18And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods. 19And I will say to my soul, Soul, thou hast much goods laid up for many years; take thine ease, eat, drink, and be merry. 20But God said unto him, Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be, which thou hast provided? 21So is he that layeth up treasure for himself, and is not rich toward God. (Luke 12:16‑21), telling us of one who, having amassed his riches, said, " Soul, thou heist much goods laid up for many years;, take thine ease, eat, drink, and he merry. "But God said unto him," Thou fool, this night thy soul shall be required of thee: then whose shall those things be which thou hast provided?" He could boast to himself of his riches, but what avail were they to him in the face of death?
Turning to the Old Testament we have a mighty man brought before us in Goliath, he who came against the children of Israel and defied them, saying, "I defy the armies of Israel this day: give me a man, that we may fight together." But of what avail were all the might, armor, and weapons in which he boasted? David approaches with a sling and stone, and says, "Thou comest to me with a sword, and with a spear, and with a shield: but I come to thee in the name of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the armies of Israel, whom thou hast defied." We know the sequel; Goliath falls dead, smitten in the forehead with the stone, and is beheaded with his own sword. (See 1. Sam. 7).
The tendency of the heart of man is to boast. He must glory in something, and he ever exalts himself. But we have seen that might fails, that riches cannot stay the hand of death, and that wisdom does not satisfy. We can, therefore, understand the words of the LORD, "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches." But the scripture does not end there, that little word "but" introduces what the soul can boast in: " But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I am the LORD which exercise lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth.''
Do you know the Lord? By nature we know not God. The word in Rom. 3:1111There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. (Romans 3:11) is true of us: "There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God." But God has come out, and revealed Himself in loving-kindness.
For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."(John 3:1616For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16)). We read again," Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins."(1 John 4:1010Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins. (1 John 4:10)).
Now, in order that life and forgiveness of sins might he the portion of each believer in the Lord Jesus, God has let His judgment of sin and sins fall upon His beloved Son." For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God"(1 Peter 3:1818For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: (1 Peter 3:18)). And in 2 Cor. 5:20, 2120Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 5:20‑21), we have these touching, gracious words:" Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God. For He hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him." Thus we see God, in the exercise of His love, giving up His beloved Son; and that He might in righteousness pardon the sinner, Christ Jesus underwent the judgment of God, enduring the wrath which we deserved.
Well may the soul that has thus been brought to God, and now stands before God justified and in righteousness, glory in the LORD, and boast in Him in the display of His lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness.
If we turn to God's dealings with Israel we get another example of these attributes of God's character. It was God who in love saw the children of Israel in all their misery and affliction, and came down to deliver them, and who in judgment passed through the land of Egypt, slaying the firstborn of the Egyptians, but who in righteousness passed over the Israelites because of the blood sprinkled upon the lintel and the two side-posts of their doors. It was the blood which laid the righteous basis by which God could pass over His people.
Now, dear reader, if you thus know the Lord, you will boast in Him, glory in His love, in His judgment, and in His righteousness. Oh! how much better to make the Lord your boast, than to glory in our own accomplishments. May God grant that each of my readers may know the Lord. He is revealed in the Scriptures as a God of lovingkindness, a God of judgment, and a God of righteousness.
Today we have the privilege of meeting God as a God of lovingkindness. If He is not met as such, He must be met in a coming day as a God of judgment. Which shall it be? If you meet God now, who commends His love towards you, it will be to your eternal blessing, and God will act in righteousness in pardoning your sins, and in giving you peace and joy, and then death will have no terror for you. (Rom. 5:8, 98But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 9Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. (Romans 5:8‑9)). But if you leave it too lace, and the day of grace closes, you will have to meet God as your righteous Judge, and in righteousness He will condemn you.
Oh! listen to His loving entreaty, "Be ye reconciled to God"; and so be able to glory in the LORD. W. E. S.
Let not the wise his Wisdom boast,
The mighty glory in his might,
The rich in flattering riches trust,
Which take their everlasting flight;
The rush of numerous years bears down
The most gigantic strength of man;
And where is all his wisdom gone,
When, dust, he turns to' dust again!
Let him that glories, though he be
Like water spilled upon the ground,
Glory in this-he knoweth Me,
That I, THE LORD, to earth's far bound,
My kindness to the contrite show;
In judgment vindicate the meek;
My righteousness on all bestow
That Me as their salvation seek.