The Wisdom of the Wise - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2025

The wise men are ashamed, they are dismayed and taken. Behold, they have rejected the word of the Lord; so what wisdom do they have?
Jeremiah 8:9

The Wisdom of the Wise
This verse is part of a conversation between God and Jeremiah that runs from chapter 7 through chapter 9. Here in chapter 8, the Lord has exposed the sins of the people and waited for their confession, yet no one repented (vv. 5-6). Instead, they claimed, "We are wise, and the law of the Lord is with us" (v. 8). In response, God gave His own assessment: "They have rejected the word of the Lord; so what wisdom do they have?"

Notice that the people looked at their condition by starting from exactly the wrong side of things. They made assumptions about their own wisdom and added God's words only as an afterthought. Many today do the same, but that approach is littered with half-truths, frustrations, and doubt. They face real questions about life and God but find unsatisfactory answers. When God's perspective is merely ornamental, what wisdom do they have? Furthermore, a lack of wisdom leads to a lack of truth as false prophets announce peace instead of correction. Ultimately there is a lack of shame, and the people practice their abominations without remorse (vv. 11-12).

God's way begins with our acceptance of His message. Our deepest questions about life, morality, and meaning can be satisfied by God's voice. Some have called God distant and confusing, wishing He would reveal Himself more clearly. Yet this is exactly what He has done, giving us His Word so we can understand and know Him (Jer. 9:23-24). The Bible provides a cohesive, relevant description of the human condition and the God who is there. Some details may seem complex, but what of that? Life is complex! Would we prefer simplistic, dismissive answers? God's way leads to truth; but if we reject the word of the Lord, what wisdom do we have?

Stephen Campbell