9:7 Melting Down the Metal God assures us that even our times of trial and affliction are for our ultimate good. The Babylonian exile served as a means to refine God’s people, bringing forth those whom he could use for his glory. “These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold” (1 Pet 1:7).

9:23-24 Proper Boasting Human wisdom and riches will ultimately fall short. It is only when we realize that these good things and all of our blessings come from God (Jas 1:17) that we will have true cause for boasting!