Boast in the LORD Alone (Jeremiah 9:24)

2026 Bible Reading: Jeremiah 7–11

PRINCIPLE: To truly know the LORD is to boast in Him and delight in what He delights in. (Jeremiah 9:24)

“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 9:24

Jeremiah 9:24 comes at the end of three pronouncements from the LORD. In the first pronouncement, the LORD called for the mourning women to lament over Jerusalem because death would come upon the children and young men of the city (Jeremiah 9:17–21). In the second pronouncement, the LORD pictured the severity of the coming judgment by saying that the dead bodies would fall like dung on the open field and like grain left behind by the reaper, with no one to gather them (Jeremiah 9:22).

In the third pronouncement, the LORD addressed the response He expected from His people. They were not to boast in wisdom, might, or riches, because none of these could save them from the judgment of God (Jeremiah 9:23).

Instead, the LORD declared, “But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me” (Jeremiah 9:24a). The word boasts (Hebrew: halal) is in the Hithpael form, giving the sense of making one’s boast, glorying, or taking pride in something. The issue was not simply that people were boasting, but that they were boasting in the wrong things.

Judah had taken pride in human wisdom, human strength, and human riches. But the LORD redirected their boast to the only ground of confidence that truly matters: understanding and knowing Him.

To understand (sakal) is in the Hiphil form, emphasizing wise insight, careful perception, and understanding that leads to right action. This was not merely intellectual awareness. It was the insight to see God as He truly revealed Himself and to respond to Him wisely.

To know (yada) speaks of more than mental awareness. It refers to knowledge gained through personal experience and real relationship. In this verse, it points to covenant knowledge of the LORD, not merely information about Him.

Therefore, “understands and knows” should be taken together. The LORD was not calling His people merely to know facts about Him, nor merely to claim relationship with Him. He was calling them to see Him as He truly is and to know Him in covenant relationship. If they were to glory in anything, they were to glory in this: that they understood and knew the LORD.

This knowledge of God was not vague or self-defined. The LORD revealed Himself as the One “who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth” (Jeremiah 9:24b). The word practices (asah) means to do, carry out, perform, or give effect to something. This means that steadfast love, justice, and righteousness are not merely qualities God possesses. They are what He actively does in the earth.

His steadfast love (hesed) speaks of His loyal covenant love, faithfulness, goodness, and gracious commitment to His people. His justice (mishpat) speaks of His righteous rule, legal judgment, and His commitment to give what is right and due. His righteousness (tsedaqah) speaks of what conforms to His holy standard, including His just action that sets things right.

The LORD was showing His people that to know Him rightly was to know His character. He is the God who acts in covenant love, judges rightly, and upholds what is righteous in the earth.

The verse ends with the LORD declaring, “For in these things I delight” (Jeremiah 9:24c). The word delight (chaphets) means to take pleasure in, desire, or find joy in something. God does not delight in human pride, outward privilege, religious appearance, or self-confidence.

God delights in steadfast love, justice, and righteousness because these reflect His own character. Therefore, the person who truly knows the LORD must not only speak of Him, but also boast in Him and delight in what He delights in.

Theological Reflection

Jeremiah 9:24 reveals that the highest ground of confidence is not human wisdom, might, or riches, but the knowledge of the LORD Himself. Wisdom can become pride. Strength can become self-reliance. Riches can become false security. These gifts are not evil in themselves, but they become dangerous when they replace trust in God. True wisdom begins when our boast is no longer in ourselves, but in the Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:30–31; 2 Corinthians 10:17)

This means that knowing God is not merely knowing facts about Him. To understand and know the LORD is to see Him as He truly is, trust Him personally, and live in response to His revealed character. This knowledge finds its fullness in Christ, who makes the Father known and gives eternal life to those who know the only true God through Him. (John 1:18; John 17:3)

It also means that those who know the LORD must learn to delight in what He delights in. God delights in steadfast love, justice, and righteousness because these reflect who He is. At the cross, the steadfast love of God was displayed for sinners, the justice of God was satisfied against sin, and the righteousness of God was given to those who believe. Therefore, those who know Christ must also learn to love what God loves and delight in what God delights in. (Romans 3:25–26; 2 Corinthians 5:21)

True wisdom boasts only in knowing the LORD. To know Him is to turn away from every false confidence, to behold His character in Christ, and to live with a heart that delights in what He delights in.

Applications

First, Boast in the LORD Alone

“But let him who boasts boast in this…” – Jeremiah 9:24a

The LORD warned His people not to boast in wisdom, might, or riches (Jeremiah 9:23). These things were not evil in themselves, but they were never meant to become the ground of confidence. Human wisdom can fail. Human strength can fade. Human riches can disappear. But the LORD remains the only sure and lasting boast of His people.

Do not build your confidence on what you know, what you can do, or what you possess. Boast in the LORD alone. Let Him be your highest confidence, deepest security, and greatest glory. Whatever wisdom, strength, or resources He has entrusted to you, hold them with humility and use them for His glory.

Second, Know the LORD Above All

“…that he understands and knows me…” – Jeremiah 9:24b

The LORD called His people not merely to know facts about Him, but to understand and know Him personally. To know the LORD is to see Him as He truly is and to walk with Him in covenant relationship. True knowledge of God shapes the mind, humbles the heart, and directs the life.

Seek to know the LORD above all. Do not be content with religious familiarity, outward appearance, or saying the rights word about God. Give attention to His Word, listen to His voice, and respond to His character with trust and obedience. Let your knowledge of God become the foundation of how you think, decide, serve, and live.

Third, Love What He Delights In

“…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 9:24c

The LORD delights in steadfast love, justice, and righteousness because these reflect His own character. He does not delight in pride, self-confidence, empty religion, or merely belonging to a spiritual community. Those who truly know Him must learn to love what He loves and delight in what He delights in.

Love what He delights in. Practice steadfast love in your relationships. Pursue justice in your dealings with others. Walk in righteousness before God and people. Let your life show that you do not merely speak of the LORD, but that you belong to Him and delight in what He delights in.

Prayer

Father God, thank You for revealing Yourself as the LORD who practices steadfast love, justice, and righteousness in the earth. Forgive us for the times we boast in human wisdom, personal strength, material resources, religious familiarity, or outward status. Teach us to boast in You alone, for You are our highest confidence, deepest security, and greatest glory.

Help us to know You above all. Do not let us be content with knowing facts about You, saying the right words about You, or merely appearing religious before others. Open our hearts to see You as You truly are. Shape our minds, humble our hearts, and direct our lives through Your Word, so that our knowledge of You leads to trust, obedience, and worship.

Teach us to love what You delight in. Form in us steadfast love, justice, and righteousness. Let our lives reflect Your character in our homes, relationships, work, ministry, and witness. May we not only speak of You, but also belong to You, boast in You, and love what You love. 

In Jesus’ Name. Amen.