What does it mean to "know" God according to Jeremiah 9:24? Key Verse “Let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD who practices loving devotion, justice, and righteousness on the earth—for I delight in these things,” declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 9:24) Understanding “Know” in Jeremiah 9:24 • More than information—relational intimacy. The Hebrew yādaʿ means experiential, personal knowledge (Genesis 4:1). • Rooted in God’s self-revelation: knowing what He delights in—“loving devotion, justice, and righteousness.” • Grounds all legitimate boasting: our value is anchored in relationship with Him, not achievements (1 Corinthians 1:31). What God Reveals About Himself • Loving devotion (ḥesed) — steadfast covenant love that never fails (Psalm 136:1). • Justice (mišpaṭ) — His perfectly fair rule, defending the oppressed (Psalm 9:7-9). • Righteousness (ṣᵉdāqâ) — moral purity expressed in all His works (Psalm 145:17). Knowing God means embracing these attributes as true, delightful, and authoritative. How Scripture Describes Knowing God • Obedience flowing from love: “Whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him” (1 John 2:5). • Trust in His character: “Those who know Your name trust You” (Psalm 9:10). • Conformity to His ways: “Be holy, because I am holy” (1 Peter 1:16). • Ongoing fellowship: “This is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God” (John 17:3). Fruit of Knowing God • Humble confidence—boasting only in Him (Jeremiah 9:23-24). • Compassion and justice toward others (Micah 6:8). • Enduring hope amid judgment, as Jeremiah himself modeled (Lamentations 3:21-24). • Growing likeness to Christ, “who became for us wisdom from God—righteousness, holiness, and redemption” (1 Corinthians 1:30). Practical Pathways to Deepen Knowledge of God • Immerse in His Word daily; Scripture is His chosen self-disclosure (2 Timothy 3:16-17). • Meditate on His acts of covenant love—creation, the exodus, the cross, and the resurrection (Romans 5:8). • Practice justice and mercy in relationships, aligning life with what God delights in (James 1:27). • Cultivate continual communion—thanksgiving, confession, and dependence (1 Thessalonians 5:17-18). Summary To “know” God in Jeremiah 9:24 is to enter a covenant relationship marked by personal trust, obedient love, and alignment with His character of steadfast love, justice, and righteousness. Such knowledge reorients all boasting, shapes daily conduct, and anchors eternal life. |
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