The����������� ������������������  fear����������� ������������������  of����������� ������������������  the����������� ������������������  LORD����������� ������������������  is����������� ������������������  the����������� ������������������  beginning����������� ������������������  of����������� ������������������  wisdom.,Proverbs����������� ������������������  1:7.����������� ������������������  To����������� ������������������  choose����������� ������������������  God����������� ������������������  and����������� ������������������  His����������� ������������������  ways����������� ������������������  is����������� ������������������  to����������� ������������������  be����������� ������������������  wise.����������� ������������������  

Lessons����������� ������������������  and����������� ������������������  Questions Jeremiah was speaking the words of God to people who had thoroughly rejected Him for decades, even for generations. They had lost the source of all true wisdom: the fear of God. What did that look like? They no longer humbly deferred to God, considering His ways and wisdom to be worthy; they disdained the awe of God, disregarded the respect and tribute and reverence due Him. They criticized Him, neglected their faith in Him, and favored gods over Him, the God.

When the source of all wisdom is lost, what replaces true, God-centered wisdom? Jeremiah saw the answer all around him, and knew that the people were doomed unless they returned to God.

What do you see around you? Does it align with the word of God? Some of what you see, you cannot control. Pray about it, then turn your eyes to what God has put under your authority: what do you want your home to look like, or your business, or your love life? Will it be charac- terized by the wisdom that comes from God?

In our modern world and in Jeremiah’s, we see people boast-ing about intellect, earning power, physical prowess . . . but what does God value? His highest priority, His finest ambi-tion for us, is that we know Him, and that knowing Him will shape all we are and do, every relation-ship, every action.

In a worldly sense, if you could brag, what would you brag about? Are you good looking? smart? well-educated? skillful? athletic? artistic? well-adjusted?

kind? wealthy? intuitive? have a great sense of humor? Great . . . but take all those brag-worthy traits, skills, and abilities and put them on a scale, weighing them against knowing God. There’s no contest.

What’s on either side of the scale at this point in your life? Where is the weight, the depth, the good in your life?

When idiocy and selfishness look like wisdom, what’s a culture to do? Repent. Change! Reform!Start with yourself, as I am: listen to Jeremiah stoutly say, “God delights in the person who knows Me and responds by living a transformed life.”

“Jesus, wisdom of God, live and

breathe in us today through Your Spirit. Be the weight and depth of our lives, and may we respond with humble

affection for You and this world You so highly value.. Amen.”

JEREMIAH ON WISDOMLe

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Since they have rejected the word of the LORD, what kind of wisdom do they have? 8:9a

This is what the LORD says: “Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom or the strong man boast of his strength or the rich man boast of his riches, but let him who boasts boast about this: that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness, justice, and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight, declares the LORD.” 9:23,24

Who is wise and under-tanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. James 3:13, 17

©SuzanneStelling

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