Topical Bible: The Jews: National Character of Self-Righteous

◄ The Jews: National Character of Self-Righteous ►

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Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of self-righteousness among the Jewish people is a theme that emerges in various passages of the Bible, often highlighting the tension between outward religious observance and inward spiritual authenticity. This characteristic is not meant to generalize all individuals within the Jewish nation but serves as a cautionary example of how religious devotion can sometimes devolve into self-righteousness.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the Jewish people are depicted as God's chosen nation, set apart to follow His commandments and statutes. However, there are instances where their adherence to the law becomes more about external compliance than internal transformation. The prophets frequently admonished Israel for their self-righteousness, emphasizing that God desires mercy and a contrite heart over mere ritualistic observance. For example, in Isaiah 58:2-3 , God critiques the people for seeking Him daily and delighting to know His ways, yet failing to act justly and righteously: "Yet they seek Me day after day and delight to know My ways, like a nation that does what is right and does not forsake the justice of their God. They ask Me for righteous judgments; they delight in the nearness of God."

New Testament Insights

The New Testament further explores this theme, particularly in the teachings of Jesus and the writings of the Apostle Paul. Jesus often confronted the Pharisees and religious leaders for their self-righteous attitudes, which prioritized human traditions over God's commandments. In Matthew 23:27-28 , Jesus declares, "Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You are like whitewashed tombs, which look beautiful on the outside but on the inside are full of dead men’s bones and every kind of impurity. In the same way, on the outside you appear to be righteous, but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness."

Paul, a former Pharisee himself, addresses the issue of self-righteousness in his epistles. In Romans 10:3 , he writes about the Jewish people, "For they were ignorant of God’s righteousness and sought to establish their own. They did not submit to God’s righteousness." Paul emphasizes that true righteousness comes through faith in Christ, not through the works of the law.

Theological Implications

The theme of self-righteousness serves as a reminder of the danger of relying on one's own efforts to achieve righteousness. It underscores the biblical teaching that true righteousness is a matter of the heart and is granted by God through faith. The Jewish nation's struggle with self-righteousness is a reflection of the broader human tendency to prioritize external religious practices over genuine spiritual transformation.

Practical Application

For believers today, the biblical portrayal of self-righteousness among the Jews serves as a warning against the pitfalls of legalism and the importance of cultivating a humble and contrite heart before God. It encourages Christians to examine their own lives for areas where they might be relying on religious rituals or moral achievements rather than on the grace and righteousness provided through Jesus Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Isaiah 65:5
Which say, Stand by yourself, come not near to me; for I am holier than you. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burns all the day.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Romans 10:3
For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves to the righteousness of God.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The New Sinai
... root of all that is heavenly and divine in character. ... narrow and fleshly nationalism
of the Jews wanted, and ... of this Beatitude; and as for national life, all ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/the new sinai.htm

The Temple Cleansed Again
... acknowledged ignorance in regard to the character of John's ... of God in the withdrawal
of their national privileges, which ... with special force to the Jews, it has ...
/.../white/the desire of ages/chapter 65 the temple cleansed.htm

The Stone of Stumbling
... believe, is exercising an influence upon his character and his ... one of the prophets
to the Jews who were ... to cut themselves loose from their national faith and ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture b/the stone of stumbling.htm

The Third Day in Pasion-Week - the Last Series of Parables: to the ...
... promise than that implied in his word and character. ... the testimony of the Baptist
by the Jews, and their ... guilt and their judgment, both national and individual ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter v the third day.htm

The Doctrine of God
... The history of the Jews, prophecy, is not explainable ... With what precision are national
changes and destinies ... God, in His nature and character, is absolutely ...
/.../evans/the great doctrines of the bible/the doctrine of god.htm

The Destruction of Jerusalem.
... of Jacob had gathered there to celebrate the great national festival. ... There were
still many among the Jews who were ignorant of the character and the work ...
/.../1 the destruction of jerusalem.htm

The Destruction of Jerusalem
... of Jacob had gathered there to celebrate the great national festival. ... There were
still many among the Jews who were ignorant of the character and the work ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 1 the destruction of.htm

Acts X
... among all the nation of the Jews, was warned ... there is to be no further national
limitation to ... positive declaration that God respects not persons but character. ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/mcgarvey/a commentary on acts of the apostles/acts x.htm

A Traveler's Note-Book
... of Greek culture while the Palestinian Jews encountered its ... which often matches this
national tragedy"hence ... words went straight to the springs of character. ...
/.../merriam/the chief end of man/iii a travelers note-book.htm

Some Gospel Truths Opened, According to the Scriptures; Or, the ...
... in the times of Bunyan by the national religion, as ... the Spirit of Christ is the
distinguishing character betwixt a ... And again, The Jews knew this very well, or ...
/.../the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/some gospel truths opened according.htm