"Thus Saith The Lord"

by Toms, A. F. | Category: General | Mar 1975

"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: but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth, and knoweth Me, that I am the LORD" (Jer. 9:23, 24).

A wealth of instruction lies in these words which God spoke through

Jeremiah. These three things, wisdom, might and riches comprise what the apostle John describes as "all that is in the world". These are the things men of the world strive after. We can readily see that the flesh lusts after might or power, the eyes after riches and the things which riches can buy, and the vainglory of life drives men in pursuit of earthly wisdom. But the disciple of the Lord Jesus has to learn that these are not the things which matter. They are not of the Father but of the world, and therefore they will pass away. Set over against them is the surpassingly valuable and eternally abiding knowledge of God. "Let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me". Without doubt this is the most blessed experience of the human heart: "This is life eternal, that they should know Thee the only true God, and Him whom Thou didst send, even Jesus Christ" (John 1 7:3). To increase in this knowledge was one of the great prayer requests of the apostle for the Colossians. He knew so well that there was nothing to be compared with it.

Of course God can only be known by revelation: "Flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven".

Paul developed this point in the second chapter of 1st Corinthians where he contrasts the wisdom of the world with the wisdom which is from above. Corinth was the seat of the wisdom of men, but the world through its wisdom knew not God. Nor will it ever. "The things of God none knoweth, save the Spirit of God" and those to whom God has revealed them through His Spirit.

It is the Holy Spirit's work to glorify Christ. "He shall take of Mine, and shall declare it unto you", said the Lord Jesus. And preciously does He take of the things of Christ, and shows Him to be God's answer in wisdom and power. The things which men hold dear He held of no account. Though He was rich, for our sakes He became poor. And of the eternal Son it is recorded that He was crucified through weakness. The days of His flesh were characterised by complete dependence upon His Father. "The Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He seeth the Father doing" (John 5:19). And "I spake not from Myself; but the Father which sent Me, He hath given Me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak" (John 12:49). In both His words and His works He was absolutely dependent upon His Father. Christ the wisdom of God shows us the way of true wisdom. Christ the power of God shows us where the true power lies.

The second Man stands in great contrast to the first man. In Eden's garden the woman saw that the fruit was to be desired to. make one wise, but it was the way of human wisdom. That day Adam and his wife exchanged the truth of God for a lie. Reaching after independence they found to their deep sorrow that it led them away from God. Professing themselves to be wise they became fools, and early on the page of Scripture they stand as a solemn warning to us all.

Disciple of the Lord Jesus, let us learn from their mistake and take the counsel of Jeremiah deeply to heart. It is at the Cross of Christ we learn true values. There we learn the emptiness of all that the world offers. No wonder Paul exclaimed "Far be it from me to glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ". Through that Cross Christ has been made unto us "wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption that, according as it is written~ He that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord". Yes, let us glory in Him, for in Christ we have everything. Thus saith the Lord.

Toms, A. F. | Mar 1975
General