Thus says the Lord: Do not let the wise boast in their wisdom, do not let the mighty boast in their might, do not let the wealthy boast in their wealth; but let those who boast, boast in this, that they understand and know me, that I am the Lord; I act with steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth, for in these things I delight, says the Lord.
The Israelites sought wisdom, might, and wealth then. We seek the same things today. Not only did Judah seek these, they gloried or boasted in them. Perhaps these things are universally sought by men and women. Why do we seek these things? Why did Judah seek these things?
In the immediate context, Judah is in a heap of trouble. God’s judgment is imminent and many of the Israelites either do not believe the judgment will come or they have an answer for the judgment. They have placed their confidence in their own wisdom, power, and wealth to deliver them. In fact, their confidence is equivalent to “boasting,” boasting in their wisdom, their might, their wealth. In essence, they were quite confident in themselves. They sought these things to preserve life, to preserve status quo. (The irony is they sought these things to maintain a delusion of what is true life.)
In a larger context, men and women seek wisdom, might, and wealth even if they are not in danger and not in need of deliverance. We seek these because we believe they can bring happiness and satisfaction to life. Intrinsically, these things do not bring happiness or satisfaction to our soul. All the gold or cash in the world will not make you happy unless the gold or cash can be exchanged for food, things, or experiences. The same can be said of wisdom and might. If wisdom and might are used, i.e. applied, then they have the potential to secure for us things or desired outcomes. Essentially, these things allow us to manipulate, change, or control our environment or people to fulfill our desires. By creating this desired environment, we can find happiness and life – at least that’s our thinking.
God, however, says that we ought not to boast in wisdom, might, and wealth. Instead we are to seek Him, to understand and know Him. God, unlike these things, intrinsically brings joy and satisfaction. In fact, knowing God is the only way sure way to the fullest joy and deepest satisfaction of our soul. There is no need to manipulate our circumstances or environment. Satisfaction in Him is independent of, above, and beyond our circumstances. However, we must not confuse God’s gifts with God. Yes, absolutely, God’s gifts are good, and are to be enjoyed. But His blessings are not a substitute for Him. This is no subtle point; the difference is night and day. Perhaps we should ask ourselves if our joy comes from God’s gifts or from knowing God. Things in the world and people in our lives can be taken from us in an instant. God cannot be taken from us.
For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor rulers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Rom. 8 (NRSV)
He is eternal and he is imminent. The joy of knowing God far exceeds any material gifts, relationships, status, or achievements that He gives us. Thus the apostle Paul writes in Philippians 3,
More than that I count all things as loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things. In fact I consider these things garbage in order that I may gain Christ.
If we must boast, let us boast that we know God. Let us boast in a joy and deep satisfaction that cannot be taken away; a joy that cannot be bought or secured with wisdom, might, and wealth.
Verse 24 continues, “I am the Lord who exercises mercy, justice, and righteousness on the earth for I delight in these things.” Of course, this was a direct message to the people of Judah who at the time were steeped in their practice of oppression, deceit, idolatry, greed, etc. God is a God of justice, mercy, and righteousness and He expected Judah to practice these very things. But Judah had abandoned God, abandoned the true source of joy and satisfaction and embraced instead cheap imitations. As Judah sought fulfillment in things that cannot satisfy, her focus turned inward. This becomes a downward spiral, and attempts to manufacture joy and happiness leads to a more intense focus on self. With such myopia, Israelites could not see others around them, could not see their neighbors, their countrymen, even their own kin. Being so blinded by self, practicing mercy, justice, and righteousness was the furthest thing from their minds. The Israelites failure is a reminder and a warning for us.
If we know God and our joy comes from Him, we are freed from this myopic view of life. With our joy and satisfaction rooted in God, we are freed to love others, to extend mercy, to offer grace, to embrace compassion. Being filled with God, we can fill others. As we’re filled with God, we have everything to give and nothing to lose.
Hallowed be Thy Name, Thy kingdom come. 