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Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight" declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 9: 23) |
The people who get together at Tesson Chapel in St Peters Valley in Jersey are giving away a credit-card-sized plastic card. Interestingly, the cards don’t invite people to come to the Chapel – although no doubt they’d be most welcome if they did.
Instead, the cards prominently state “we’re all about knowing Jesus and making him known”.
Neither Tesson Chapel nor the people who go there are of any merit compared with Jesus Christ, son of the living God.
On the reverse of the card is the extract in bold red above from a book in the Old Testament of the Bible which goes by the name of its author – a man named Jeremiah. It’s worth repeating: Thus says the LORD: “Let not the wise man boast in his wisdom, let not the mighty man boast in his might, let not the rich man boast in his riches, but let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. For in these things I delight" declares the LORD.
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All our lives today ae dominated by wise people (the capable, the clever, the skilled, the graduates, the experts, the influencers). And by mighty people (the strong in physique or character, the most able in sport or speech, the winners and runner-up not the losers). And by rich people (the ones who pay our wages and own our properties, the shareholders, the capitalists, the clients).
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How very interesting indeed it is to know, not Jeremiah’s instructions to such people, but the instructions to them from the LORD God Almighty. These people are not to boast of these their attributes.
Instead, there is one thing alone of which they may boast: that he or she understands and knows me, that I am the LORD.
In that case, what is so important about the LORD that one should boast that one knows him? The LORD gave the reasons to Jeremiah s that he could pass them on not only to his contemporaries around 580 BC in Jerusalem but also through his written book to us today.
It’s because the LORD practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth.
More than that, it’s because it’s in those things that the LORD delights.
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Steadfast love in the earth?
Justice in the earth?
Righteousness in the earth?
Delight in steadfast love, justice and righteousness in the earth?
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On the little Tesson Chapel plastic cards is another extract from the Bible about knowing the LORD God. It’s from Mathew’s biography of Jesus Christ.
At that time Jesus declared, “I thank you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that you have hidden these things from the wise and understanding and revealed them to little children; yes, Father, for such was your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
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