Topical Bible: The Righteousness of God: Exhibited in His Judgments

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The concept of the righteousness of God is a central theme throughout the Bible, reflecting His perfect moral nature and His just governance over creation. God's righteousness is often exhibited through His judgments, which are portrayed as both just and necessary for the maintenance of divine order and holiness.

Old Testament Foundations

In the Old Testament, God's righteousness is frequently associated with His judgments upon nations and individuals. The Hebrew word for righteousness, "tsedeq," conveys the idea of justice and rightness. God's judgments are depicted as an expression of His righteous character, ensuring that justice prevails. In Genesis 18:25, Abraham appeals to God's righteousness when he intercedes for Sodom, saying, "Far be it from You to do such a thing—to kill the righteous with the wicked, so that the righteous and the wicked are treated alike. Far be it from You! Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is just?" .

The Law given to Israel is another manifestation of God's righteousness. The statutes and commandments were designed to reflect His holy nature and to guide His people in living righteously. Deuteronomy 32:4 declares, "He is the Rock, His work is perfect; all His ways are just. A God of faithfulness without injustice, righteous and upright is He" .

Prophetic Literature

The prophets frequently spoke of God's righteous judgments as a response to the sin and rebellion of His people and the nations. Isaiah 5:16 states, "But the LORD of Hosts will be exalted by His justice, and the holy God will show Himself holy in righteousness" . The prophets warned that God's righteousness demanded accountability and that His judgments were a means of purifying and restoring His people.

Jeremiah 9:24 emphasizes that understanding and knowing God involves recognizing His righteous acts: "But let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, who exercises loving devotion, justice, and righteousness on the earth—for I delight in these things," declares the LORD .

New Testament Revelation

In the New Testament, the righteousness of God is further revealed through the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Greek term "dikaiosyne" is used to describe God's righteousness, which is demonstrated in His redemptive plan. Romans 1:17 proclaims, "For the gospel reveals the righteousness of God that comes by faith from start to finish, just as it is written: 'The righteous will live by faith'" .

God's righteous judgment is also a theme in the teachings of Jesus and the apostles. In Matthew 25:31-46, Jesus describes the final judgment, where the righteous and the wicked are separated based on their deeds, reflecting God's just and righteous standards. The apostle Paul, in Romans 2:5-6, warns of the righteous judgment of God: "But because of your hard and unrepentant heart, you are storing up wrath against yourself for the day of wrath, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. God 'will repay each one according to his deeds'" .

Theological Implications

The righteousness of God in His judgments underscores His sovereignty and holiness. It assures believers that God is just and that He will ultimately vindicate His righteousness by rewarding the faithful and punishing the wicked. This understanding calls for a response of reverence, obedience, and trust in God's righteous character.

Throughout Scripture, God's judgments serve as a reminder of His unwavering commitment to righteousness and justice. They reveal His desire for a world that reflects His holy nature and His ultimate plan to restore creation through His righteous rule.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 19:9
The fear of the LORD is clean, enduring for ever: the judgments of the LORD are true and righteous altogether.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 119:7,62
I will praise you with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned your righteous judgments.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

(As to Whether a Priest May Minister after a Lapse. )
... if they have fallen, and thereafter have exhibited a right ... free from sin, ye became
the servants of righteousness. ... of the righteous judgment of God; who will ...
//christianbookshelf.org/unknown/the decretals/vi as to whether a.htm

God's Controversy with Man. Rev. Charles Prest.
... God cannot yield in this conflict; his righteousness forbids this. ... Mount Sinai exhibited
proofs of God's love, and Christ, who died for us on Calvary ...
/.../king/the wesleyan methodist pulpit in malvern/gods controversy with man rev.htm

The Gentile Christian Theology. Paul and the Gospel of Faith.
... is mentioned first because in it is exhibited to us ... works of the law instead of
accepting the righteousness of God ... both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God! ...
/.../history of the christian church volume i/section 71 the gentile christian.htm

The True Gnostic is an Imitator of God, Especially in Beneficence.
... But nobility is itself exhibited in choosing and practising ... For the image of God
is really the man ... he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ...
/.../clement/the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xix the true gnostic is.htm

The Good Steward
... God, the creature to his Creator, is exhibited to us ... unto sin, but as instruments
of righteousness unto God ... no passage in all the oracles of God which affirms ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 51 the good steward.htm

The Resemblance Between the Old Testament and the New.
... to his sanctuary, where the blessings not exhibited in the ... sanctuary was the final
judgment of God, which, as ... I will behold thy face in righteousness: I shall ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 10 the resemblance between.htm

The Consolation
... in His blood, He declared His righteousness in remissions ... For though we may suppose
God would have ... of His Son could have exhibited His righteousness "that is ...
//christianbookshelf.org/newton/messiah vol 1/sermon i the consolation.htm

The Master's Profession --The Disciple's Pursuit
... high calling and the dutiful obedience he so perfectly exhibited. ... I have not hid
thy righteousness within my heart ... friends, be able to say, "Great God, though I ...
/.../the masters professionthe disciples pursuit.htm

'Fruit which is Death'
... The unwearying patience of God, the possibility of the ... the yet deeper thought that
righteousness must come ... more we have sin and punishment exhibited in their ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/fruit which is death.htm

Introductory Essays
... central principles of the Reformer's life and work, as exhibited in the ... connection
of the words namely "therein is the righteousness of God revealed from ...
/.../luther/first principles of the reformation/introductory essays.htm