This reflection on the nature of true wisdom contrasts strongly with the preceding dirge. In such crucial days, Judah's only hope lay in her relationship with God. The thematic connection with the context is judgment.
9:23 The Lord commanded that the wise and strong and rich should not take pride in their wisdom and strength and wealth.205
9:24 Instead the person who felt satisfied should do so because he or she understood and knew Yahweh as a God who loves and practices loyal love (loyalty, loving kindness, steadfast love, unfailing devotion, merciful love, Heb. hesed), justice (Heb. mishpat), and righteousness (right, integrity, deliverance, salvation, Heb. sedaqa) on the earth. Truly knowing the Lord in this way implies participating with Him in valuing and practicing these essential covenant virtues. The standard is not social custom or community consensus but the character and will of Yahweh (cf. 1 Cor. 1:31; 2 Cor. 10:17; James 1:9).
". . . true religion consists in a personal and existential knowledge of God, and in a commitment to those qualities displayed by Yahweh himself--unfailing loyalty, justice, and right dealing."206
This verse is a concise summary of Israel's religion at its highest. For Israel true religion consisted of acknowledging the sovereignty of God over all of life and allowing Him to produce the qualities that mark Him in the lives of all His people.
