Today I want to explore one of the most difficult and contentious words in all of Scripture.
I’m talking about the word “righteousness“.
In Hebrew, “righteousness” is either TZEDEK or TZEDEKAH.
Why does this word have a tendency to trigger such hot emotions and contention?
I’m glad you asked because the answer to that question is directly connected to what we’re currently studying here in Deuteronomy 9 and goes right to the heart of the Palestinian crisis we’re facing in the Middle East.
The reason the word “righteousness” or TZEDEKAH triggers heated debate and controversy is because from a Torah perspective, this word means that ONLY God possesses true righteousness.
In other words, if God is RIGHT, then anyone or anything else that contradicts God is flat-out WRONG.
Period.
It’s really that black and white folks.
TZEDEK or TZEDEKAH is kind of similar to the Hebrew word SHALOM in the sense that there is really no direct English equivalent and the word itself contains much deep meaning and many layers of inscrutable aspects to it.
Let me point out one element of this word’s meaning from a true Biblical perspective that I’m willing to bet you’ve never heard before.
Normally, when we think of “righteousness” we think of it as just meaning “good” or “standard”.
But, in actuality, this word is referring to a judicial legal position.
In the Bible, one’s legal standing is everything.
Why?
Because God’s righteousness is based on His system of justice.
From a legal perspective, God is ALWAYS right.
And when our actions go against His commands and instructions, we are always wrong.
Again, it really is that simple.
Think of it like this.
In a civil court of law, when two people are fighting one another, once the judge pronounces his final verdict, it’s understood that one party was in the wrong and the other party was in the right.
The Biblical principle is the same.
In the Biblical era, if a person was tried in a court of law and found guilty, he was in the wrong…
…and if he was found innocent, he was in the right…
…from the Lord’s perspective.
Let’s connect this idea to the Holy War God was ordering on Canaan.
The war to take the Promised Land was all about establishing what was RIGHT in order to replace what was WRONG.
In other words, Israel as God’s earthly representative was to overthrow the unrighteous Canaanites and their abominable ways.
This bothers a lot of people.
In this politically sensitive world of relative right and wrong that we live in, a lot of folks just can’t stomach the idea that the Creator of the Universe would categorize one entire people group (Israel in this case) as being “righteous” and then categorize a whole other people group (the Canaanites) as being “evil“.
Well, like it or not, that’s EXACTLY what is happening here and I make no apologies for taking this position…for it is the true Biblical position.
The use of the word “righteousness” extends to God’s plan for the Promised Land and His sovereign decision that the Canaanites do NOT belong there.
It is ONLY Israel who belongs there.
It is God’s RIGHTEOUS plan that the Canaanites are to be ejected from the land and His people installed in their place.
Now when was the last time you heard that teaching in your place of worship?
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