This is what the LORD says: "Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, nor the strong man in his strength, nor the wealthy man in his riches. This is what the LORD saysThe phrase underscores the divine authority behind the message. In Hebrew, "LORD" is "YHWH," the sacred name of God, emphasizing His eternal and unchanging nature. This introduction serves as a reminder that the following words are not merely human wisdom but divine instruction, demanding reverence and obedience. Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom
The Hebrew word for "wise" is "chakam," which refers to skillful or learned individuals. Wisdom, in the biblical sense, is often associated with the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10). However, this verse warns against pride in human intellect. True wisdom acknowledges its source in God and remains humble, recognizing that human understanding is limited and fallible. nor the strong man in his strength
"Strong" in Hebrew is "gibbor," often used to describe mighty warriors or heroes. Physical strength and power are gifts from God, but they are not to be the source of one's pride. The Bible consistently teaches that reliance on human strength is futile (Psalm 33:16-17). Instead, believers are encouraged to find their strength in the Lord, who is the ultimate source of power and might. nor the wealthy man in his riches
The term "wealthy" comes from the Hebrew "ashir," indicating abundance and prosperity. Riches can easily become a snare, leading individuals to trust in material possessions rather than God. The Bible warns against the deceitfulness of wealth (Matthew 13:22) and encourages believers to store up treasures in heaven (Matthew 6:19-20). True security and worth are found in a relationship with God, not in earthly wealth. Persons / Places / Events 1. JeremiahA major prophet in the Old Testament, known for his messages of warning and hope to the people of Judah. He is the author of the Book of Jeremiah. 2. JudahThe southern kingdom of Israel during the time of Jeremiah. The people of Judah were often warned by Jeremiah about their impending judgment due to their disobedience to God. 3. The LORD (Yahweh)The covenant name of God used in the Old Testament, emphasizing His eternal existence and faithfulness to His people. Teaching Points The Futility of Human PrideHuman wisdom, strength, and wealth are temporary and ultimately insufficient for true fulfillment and security. True Source of BoastingOur boasting should be in knowing and understanding God, as He is the source of all true wisdom, strength, and provision. Dependence on GodBelievers are called to depend on God rather than their own abilities or resources, recognizing His sovereignty and provision in all aspects of life. Humility in AchievementsAchievements in wisdom, strength, or wealth should be viewed as gifts from God, leading to humility and gratitude rather than pride. Eternal PerspectiveFocusing on eternal values rather than temporary earthly gains aligns our lives with God's purposes and brings lasting peace and joy. Bible Study Questions 1. How does Jeremiah 9:23 challenge the cultural values of wisdom, strength, and wealth in today's society? 2. In what ways can we practically shift our boasting from personal achievements to knowing and understanding God? 3. How do the teachings of Jeremiah 9:23 relate to Jesus' teachings in the Sermon on the Mount, particularly regarding treasures on earth versus treasures in heaven? 4. Reflect on a time when you relied on your own wisdom or strength. What was the outcome, and how might the message of Jeremiah 9:23 have changed your approach? 5. How can we encourage one another in our faith communities to boast in the Lord rather than in our personal accomplishments? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Corinthians 1:31Paul echoes the sentiment of Jeremiah 9:23 by urging believers to boast only in the Lord, highlighting the futility of human wisdom, strength, and wealth. Proverbs 3:5-6These verses encourage trust in the Lord rather than relying on one's own understanding, aligning with the message of not boasting in human wisdom. Psalm 20:7This verse contrasts trust in chariots and horses with trust in the name of the Lord, similar to the warning against boasting in human strength. | The Knowledge of God the Only Real Glory of Man | A.F. Muir | Jeremiah 9:22-24 | | A Prohibited and a Sanctioned Glory | W. R. Percival. | Jeremiah 9:23-24 | | Aims of Life | H. W. Beecher. | Jeremiah 9:23-24 | | Baseless Pride | | Jeremiah 9:23-24 | | Duty of a Prosperous Nation | N. Emmons, D. D. | Jeremiah 9:23-24 | | Earthly Riches Unavailing | | Jeremiah 9:23-24 | | Exultation of Heart and Life According to the Will of God | D. Young | Jeremiah 9:23, 24 | | False and True Glory | J. Tillotson, D. D. | Jeremiah 9:23-24 | | False and True Glorying | R. Hall, M. A. | Jeremiah 9:23-24 | | False and True Grounds of Glorying | E. Cooper, M. A. | Jeremiah 9:23-24 | | False and True Grounds of Glorying | Stephen Jenner, M. A. | Jeremiah 9:23-24 | | Glorying | J. Parker, D. D. | Jeremiah 9:23-24 | | He that Glorieth, Let Him Glory in the Lord | R. Macellar. | Jeremiah 9:23-24 | | How to Learn About God | H. W. Beecher. | Jeremiah 9:23-24 | | Human Glorying Corrected | J. P. Lange. | Jeremiah 9:23-24 | | Knowing God -- the Greatest Good | | Jeremiah 9:23-24 | | Of False Glorying | David Johnston, D. D. | Jeremiah 9:23-24 | | On the Grounds of Pride | W. L. Brown, D. D. | Jeremiah 9:23-24 | | On the Insufficiency of Human Wisdom, Power, and Riches | E. Edwards. | Jeremiah 9:23-24 | | On the Unreasonableness and Folly of Glorying in the Possession of External Privileges and Advantages | W. Duff, M. A. | Jeremiah 9:23-24 | | Pride of Worldly Greatness | T. Seeker. | Jeremiah 9:23-24 | | Rich in Grace Rather than in Goods | | Jeremiah 9:23-24 | | The Chief Good | J. Waite | Jeremiah 9:23, 24 | | The Gospel the Only Security for Eminent and Abiding National Prosperity | Homiletic monthly | Jeremiah 9:23-24 | | The Knowledge of God | J. P. Gledstone. | Jeremiah 9:23-24 | | The Pride of Knowledge | H. W. Beecher. | Jeremiah 9:23-24 | | The True Ground of Glorying | J. Macgregor, M. A. | Jeremiah 9:23-24 | | True and False Complacencies | E. Johnson, M. A. | Jeremiah 9:23-24 | | What Do I Glory In | J. H. Jowett, M. A. | Jeremiah 9:23-24 | | Whereof to Glory | S. Conway | Jeremiah 9:23-26 |
People JeremiahPlaces Ammon, Edom, Egypt, Gilead, Jerusalem, Moab, ZionTopics Boast, Glory, Mighty, Pride, Rich, Riches, Says, Strength, Strong, Thus, Wealth, Wisdom, WiseDictionary of Bible Themes Jeremiah 9:23 8366 wisdom, source of Jeremiah 9:23-24 1125 God, righteousness
1194 glory, divine and human
5413 money, attitudes
5503 rich, the
5793 arrogance
5813 conceit
5871 greed, response to
5961 superiority
6121 boasting
6667 grace, in OT
8135 knowing God, nature of
8412 decisions
8780 materialism, and sin
8803 pride, evil of
8812 riches, ungodly use
8820 self-confidence
8825 self-righteousness, and gospel Library India's Ills and England's Sorrows
It would seem as if some men had been sent into this world for the very purpose of being the world's weepers. God's great house is thoroughly furnished with everything, everything that can express the thoughts and the emotions of the inhabitant, God hath made. I find in nature, plants to be everlasting weepers. There by the lonely brook, where the maiden cast away her life, the willow weeps for ever; and there in the grave yard where men lie slumbering till the trumpet of the archangel shall awaken …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 3: 1857"Boast not Thyself of To-Morrow, for Thou Knowest not what a Day May Bring Forth. "
Prov. xxvii. 1.--"Boast not thyself of to-morrow, for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." There are some peculiar gifts that God hath given to man in his first creation, and endued his nature with, beyond other living creatures, which being rightly ordered and improved towards the right objects, do advance the soul of man to a wonderful height of happiness, that no other sublunary creature is capable of. But by reason of man's fall into sin, these are quite disordered and turned out of …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Characters and Names of Messiah
For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. S uch was the triumphant exultation of the Old Testament Church! Their noblest hopes were founded upon the promise of MESSIAH; their most sublime songs were derived from the prospect of His Advent. By faith, which is the substance of things hoped for, they considered the gracious declarations …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1 How the Simple and the Crafty are to be Admonished.
(Admonition 12.) Differently to be admonished are the simple and the insincere. The simple are to be praised for studying never to say what is false, but to be admonished to know how sometimes to be silent about what is true. For, as falsehood has always harmed him that speaks it, so sometimes the hearing of truth has done harm to some. Wherefore the Lord before His disciples, tempering His speech with silence, says, I have many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now (Joh. xvi. 12). …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great Original Sin
Q-16: DID ALL MANKIND FALL IN ADAM'S FIRST TRANSGRESSION? A: The covenant being made with Adam, not only for himself, but for his posterity, all mankind descending from him, by ordinary generation, sinned in him, and fell with him in his first transgression. 'By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin,' &c. Rom 5:12. Adam being a representative person, while he stood, we stood; when he fell, we fell, We sinned in Adam; so it is in the text, In whom all have sinned.' Adam was the head …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity A Sermon on Isaiah xxvi. By John Knox.
[In the Prospectus of our Publication it was stated, that one discourse, at least, would be given in each number. A strict adherence to this arrangement, however, it is found, would exclude from our pages some of the most talented discourses of our early Divines; and it is therefore deemed expedient to depart from it as occasion may require. The following Sermon will occupy two numbers, and we hope, that from its intrinsic value, its historical interest, and the illustrious name of its author, it …
John Knox—The Pulpit Of The Reformation, Nos. 1, 2 and 3. Thoughts Upon Worldly-Riches. Sect. Ii.
TIMOTHY after his Conversion to the Christian Faith, being found to be a Man of great Parts, Learning, and Piety, and so every way qualified for the work of the Ministry, St. Paul who had planted a Church at Ephesus the Metropolis or chief City of all Asia, left him to dress and propagate it, after his departure from it, giving him Power to ordain Elders or Priests, and to visit and exercise Jurisdiction over them, to see they did not teach false Doctrines, 1 Tim. i. 3. That they be unblameable in …
William Beveridge—Private Thoughts Upon a Christian Life The Knowledge of God
'The Lord is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed.' I Sam 2:2. Glorious things are spoken of God; he transcends our thoughts, and the praises of angels. God's glory lies chiefly in his attributes, which are the several beams by which the divine nature shines forth. Among other of his orient excellencies, this is not the least, The Lord is a God of knowledge; or as the Hebrew word is, A God of knowledges.' Through the bright mirror of his own essence, he has a full idea and cognisance …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity Jeremiah
The interest of the book of Jeremiah is unique. On the one hand, it is our most reliable and elaborate source for the long period of history which it covers; on the other, it presents us with prophecy in its most intensely human phase, manifesting itself through a strangely attractive personality that was subject to like doubts and passions with ourselves. At his call, in 626 B.C., he was young and inexperienced, i. 6, so that he cannot have been born earlier than 650. The political and religious …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links Jeremiah 9:23 NIVJeremiah 9:23 NLTJeremiah 9:23 ESVJeremiah 9:23 NASBJeremiah 9:23 KJV
Jeremiah 9:23 Commentaries
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