10 November 2024

JEHOVAH TSIDKENU – THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS

(The Names Of God: TNOG 15)

The Name Jehovah-Tsidkenu means Jehovah our Righteousness. It appears in Jeremiah's prophecy of a "Righteous Branch" and a "King" Who is to appear; "and this is His Name whereby He shall be called, Jehovah our Righteousness" (Jer 23:5,6). This is actually a prophecy about the coming Messiah, Who is Jesus Christ.

The word “tsidkenu” is derived from “tsedek —righteousness” . The word is used many times in the Scriptures both as right, righteous, righteousness, and also as just, justify, declare innocent. Originally, it meant “to be stiff or straight”. In the spiritual sense, it means to walk in the paths of righteousness and to offer the sacrifices of righteousness, putting their trust in the Lord (Psalm 4:5). This sacrifice is that of a contrite heart and a broken spirit (Psalm 51:17), which God desires of us when we come humbly before Him.

Jehovah is Himself Perfect Righteousness; He is the perfectly Righteous One. says the Psalmist (129:4). Righteousness is an attribute of God. What He always does is right, just, proper, and consistent with all His other attributes. When we say that God is Righteous, we mean that there is no wrong, dishonesty, or unfairness in Him.

As a Righteous God, there is none to compare with Him, says Isaiah (45:21). He is the Rock whose work is perfect, and “all His ways are just. A Faithful God Who does no wrong, upright and just is He” (Deut 32:4). His Righteousness is an Everlasting Righteousness and His Testimonies are righteous forever (Ps 119:142,144). Righteousness and Justice are the very foundations of His Throne (Ps 89:14; 97:2). Therefore, in all His dealings He is righteous.

In contrast to God's Perfect Righteousness is man's lack of righteousness and the evil of his ways. The constant testimony of Scripture is that “All have sin and come short of the Glory of God. There is none righteous, no not one” (Rom.3:20-23). Hence no sinner can be saved by his own effort, religion or good words. But in the Gospel, “the Righteousness of God is revealed – a righteousness that is by faith” (Rom.1:17).

This righteousness is imputed to the sinner who believes and receives Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour. That is made possible by the Atoning Sacrifice of Christ on the Cross, when “God made Him, Who knew no sin to be sin for us so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Cor.5:21). Christ is our Righteousness. Hallelujah!

The result of being saved and made righteous in Christ means that we should also walk in righteousness: “the righteous shall by faith and from faith to faith” (Rom.1:17b). The Apostle John wrote: “Let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He (Christ) is Righteous” (1 John 3:7 -NKJV). He goes on to say: “Anyone who does not do what is right is not God’s child, nor is anyone who does not love his brother” (v.10). Walking in righteousness is living in holiness; “Without holiness no one shall see the Lord” (Heb.12:14).

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