Jeremiah 9:23-24 Thus said the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might… I. THE REASONS WHY THE WISE MAN SHOULD NOT "GLORY IN HIS WISDOM, NOR THE MIGHTY IN HIS MIGHT, NOR THE RICH MAN IN HIS RICHES." 1. All these things are the gifts of God, and have neither power nor potency without Him. 2. They are all of uncertain continuance. As no man can call them into existence, so no man can command their stay. 3. It ought to moderate our tendency to glory in riches, to remember by what huckstering practices, by what base, material means they are usually got. 4. Further, wisdom, power, and riches are all things which we must leave at death, even if they do not before leave us. II. IN WHAT WE MAY SAFELY GLORY. 1. The knowledge of God affords a just ground for glorying, first, because God Himself, the object of it, surpasses all created excellencies. He combines in Himself in a transcendent degree whatever is deep in wisdom, whatever is majestic in might, whatever is rich in goodness. 2. This knowledge of God as being actually all that to His believing people which they can need is worthy of being gloried in, as distinguished from human wisdom, might, or riches, because it places man's confidence on an unshaken basis; and because, moreover, it is a kind of knowledge which elevates while it humbles the mind, satisfies its desires while it invites the exercise of all its powers; fills it with pure, noble, enduring excellence, expires not, but only becomes perfected at death, and fits the soul for the permanent occupations and enjoyments of the eternal state. (Stephen Jenner, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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: |
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