God’s Revelation of Himself

This is what the LORD says: ‘Let no wise man boast of his wisdom, nor let the mighty man boast of his might, nor a rich man boast of his riches; but let the one who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who exercises mercy, justice, and righteousness on the earth; for I delight in these things,' declares the LORD (Jeremiah 9:23-24).

Wrongly-Directed Boasting

The prophet Jeremiah ministered to the Southern Kingdom of Judah before, during, and after the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple in 586 B.C. He warned the Hebrews about inevitable judgment because of sin, but they didn't listen. As a result, the Babylonians destroyed their city and Temple, killed a portion of the population, and took most of the survivors into captivity.

The context of Jeremiah 9:23-24 is a lament over Jerusalem for that which was about to occur. The Israelites were trusting – or boasting – in themselves, something God judged them for. Instead, they should have boasted in God – His character, His nature, who He is, that which He had revealed Himself to them.

God's Revelation

God has revealed Himself through the general revelation of creation and conscience (Romans Chapters 1 and 2). His primary revelation is in His word, through the Pentatuch (first 5 books of the Old Testament), the Prophets, and the Wisdom Literature (the entire O.T.).

Up to Jeremiah's time of course, the Old Testament had not been completed, but God nonetheless revealed His character through His Word. Yes, God's Word is historically reliable, full of prophesies, and accounts of people, events, and situations, but more than anything, the Old and New Testament is God's revelation of Himself from Himself.

Most Christians don't think about this very much. This is because when we study the Bible, we learn doctrine, application, truth, and wisdom to live by, but the main reason we should study Scripture is because it is God's revelation of Himself. By learning more about God, we grow in our relationship with Him. We mature as we spend time with God through His Word and through prayer.

Knowing God

God warned the ancient Israelites – and us today – not to boast in anything other than that we know God. This knowledge is based on His Word. Why? While we can learn some things about God from creation and conscience, it takes God's special revelation of Himself to teach us who He is.

God's revelation of Himself is so awesome because He didn't have to reveal Himself to us! It is because of His grace that He breathed through the writers of Scripture to reveal His plan of redemption to all who are willing to give their lives to His Son Jesus.

In the Jeremiah passage above, note the contrast: the world's way is to boast of its own strength, wisdom, and wealth. God's way for the human race, however, is humility, justice, righteousness, and lovingkindness (grace and mercy). This reflects God's character.

Grasp His Goodness!

I hope you can grasp the goodness of God. Though He is outside of time and space, He nevertheless reveals His character in His Word – the Bible – but also the living Word, the Lord Jesus.

So many Christians wonder and struggle with how to develop their relationship with God. So many more try other things or base their relationship with Him on something experiential, hype, worldly wisdom, knowledge, or wealth.

Yet, God says that we can have a relationship with Him through His Word – the Word that declares His character. How well do you know Him? How much time do you spend with Him in His word? How much time to you spend with Him in prayer?

If you are not satisfied with your answers, then set out to read your Bible more that you may get to know your God more intimately!

Dr. Michael Weis is a pastor, video operator, editor, and social media manager at Zion's Hope.