Righteous Versus Wicked

 

What shall we say then? Gentiles who did not pursue [dioko – to go after with the expectation of success] righteousness [dikaiosune – conformity to God’s commands] attained righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith, but Israel, pursuing a law of righteousness, did not arrive at that law. Why? Because they did not pursue it by faith but as though it were by works. They stumbled over the stumbling stone.                         Romans 9:30-32 

In the above, Paul addressed how both Jews and Gentiles find righteousness: not by works, but by faith. In fact, earlier in his letter, he addressed the matter when considering Gentiles, who do not have the Law, do instinctively the things of the Law; these, not having the Law, are a law to themselves in that they show the work of the Law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them (Romans 2:14-15).

The above quote from Romans 2 references the Gentile who recognizes and follows the seven Noahide Laws. Judaism says a Gentile does not have to follow the Mosaic Law; however, all Gentiles are obliged to follow the Noahide Laws. The laws given to Noah's children apply universally. A non-Jew who abides by the Noahide Laws is considered a "pious Gentile," according to Judaism, and will earn a reward in the afterlife if his obedience is coupled with a knowledge that the laws come from God. A "pious Gentile" might also be called a "righteous Gentile" or simply a "Noahide." According to the Bible Knowledge Commentary:

Such persons show that the Law is not only on tablets of stone and in the writings of Moses; it is also inscribed in their hearts and reflected in their actions, consciences, and thoughts. The Law given to Israel is, in reality, only a specific statement of God's moral and spiritual requirements for everyone. Moral Gentiles, by their actions, show that the requirements (literally, "the work") of the Law are written on their hearts. Their consciences confirm this: the faculty within human beings that evaluates their actions and thoughts and either accuses or excuses them of sin. This is why Paul called such Gentiles a law for themselves.

By pursuing a law of righteousness, Israel was doing it through religious activities, so their lack of faith left them wanting. In Romans 10:2-3, Paul explains For I testify about them that they [Israel] have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge. For not knowing about God's righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves [hupotasso – to place under in an orderly fashion] to the righteousness of God. Righteousness of faith can be understood to refer to God's righteousness (standards of right and wrong) in which the believer places his trust or faith. The work of the law must be written on the heart with an intention of honoring God's righteousness. Israel did not recognize that God's dealings with them were just, and consequently, they would not submit themselves to Him or acknowledge Jesus as Messiah. Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes (Romans 10:4).

Knowing Good & Evil

The serpent said to the woman, “You surely will not die! “For God [Elohiym – the true God] knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing [yada – know experientially] good [tobah - good in a moral sense, righteousness] and evil [raah – moral corruption].”                          Genesis 3:4-5

The God of Creation, Elohim, is also the God who determines what is good or righteous, and therefore evil, what is unrighteous and morally corrupt. By restricting Adam and Eve from eating from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, He reserved that right for Himself, not allowing man to determine his own moral standards. No created being is trustworthy to decide for himself what is righteous, since it reflects God's very character. Lucifer was judged when unrighteousness was found in his heart. “You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created until unrighteousness [awel – anything that deviates from the right way] was found in you” (Ezekiel 28:15). He saw himself as worthy to occupy God’s throne when he said, “I will make myself like the Most High” (Isaiah 14:14).

The righteousness of God is an empowering force, allowing the believer to walk in God’s ability, not restricted by man’s inabilities. This principle is revealed in a study of the Proverbs, particularly chapters 10 – 18. Many verses define righteousness by contrasting it with wickedness. Within those Scriptures, Solomon uses not only righteousness vs. wickedness, but also, as synonyms, wise vs. fool, diligent vs. negligent, humble vs. proud, blameless vs. perverse, etc.

The Fear of the Lord 

Come, you children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear [yirah –supreme respect, reverence] of the Lord. Who is the man who desires life and loves length of days that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Depart from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and His ears are open to their cry. The face of the Lord is against evildoers, to cut off the memory of them from the earth. The righteous cry, and the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles.                   Psalm 34:11-17

The fear of the Lord is a foundational characteristic of the righteous man. Proverbs 14:2 says, "He who walks in his uprightness fears the Lord, but he who is devious in his ways despises Him." The one who chooses to live under the standards of God’s righteousness and His Word is rightly related to God through a supreme respect and reverence for who He is and how He works, that is, righteously and justly (Psalm 89:14). Reverence for God represents the highest form of wisdom and understanding: “And to man He said, ‘Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding’” (Job 28:28). When David wrote Psalm 34, he was in fear of his life from King Saul, so he put himself under the protection of Abimelech, the king of Gath (1 Samuel 21:10-15). Abimelech did not provide him that shelter. The Lord was teaching David that the answer to man's fear of men is to be taught how to fear God. In this way, the power of God and His protection is released to keep each believer safe. It has the added benefits of prolonged life, according to Proverbs 10:27. In fact, Righteousness guards [nasar – preserve, keep] the one whose way is blameless, but wickedness subverts the sinner (Proverbs 13:6).

Satisfied

The righteous has enough to satisfy his appetite, but the stomach of the wicked is in need.                               Proverbs 13:25

The backslider [sug – one who turns back] in heart will have his fill of his own ways, but a good man will be satisfied with his.                  Proverbs 14:14

He who is steadfast in righteousness will attain to life, and he who pursues evil will bring about his own death.              Proverbs 11:19

The Lord will not allow the righteous [saddiyq – one who conforms to a given standard] to hunger, but He will reject the craving of the wicked [rasa – someone guilty or in the wrong].       Proverbs 10:3

David understood that when he was walking uprightly with God, he was satisfied. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want (Psalm 23:1). Instead of looking for satisfaction in the details of life from other natural sources, God promises that the man who has chosen righteousness – doing what is right – is fulfilled in his life, while the backslider will never find real fulfillment; instead, his lifestyle will usher in his own death. The righteous man has chosen to be steadfast and consistent in his convictions, properly representing the righteous God to an unrighteous world. The righteous receive special provisions for quality of life, while those who choose to live outside God's standards and pathways face complete rejection.

Integrity

He who walks in integrity [righteousness] walks securely, but he who perverts his ways [wickedness] will be found out.                     Proverbs 10:9 

The integrity of the upright will guide them, but the crookedness of the treacherous [bagad – one who acts unfaithfully] will destroy them.                   Proverbs 11:3 

The righteousness of the upright will deliver them, but the treacherous will be caught by their own greed.                     Proverbs 11:6

The righteousness of the blameless will smooth [yasar – straight, pleasing] his way, but the wicked will fall by his own wickedness.                         Proverbs 11:5 

The perverse in heart are an abomination to the Lord, but the blameless in their walk are His                      delight.                          Proverbs 11:20

The righteous is delivered from trouble, but the wicked takes his place.            Proverbs 11:8 

Solomon uses many different words as synonyms of righteousness, including integrity, uprightness, and blamelessness. These words do not describe perfection, but rather a consistent manner of life and attitude toward God and others. That consistency produces a godly security, and guides them to the right pathway in every situation and delivers them from every kind of trouble. The blameless please God and are His delight in how they conduct themselves. Those who do not accept God’s standards as right are headed for a fall. They will take the place of the righteous in their trouble.

The Power of the Mouth

The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.                   Proverbs 10:11

The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools [wiyl – one who despises wisdom, walks in folly] die for lack of understanding.                     Proverbs 10:21

By the blessing of the upright a city is exalted, but by the mouth of the wicked it is torn down.                     Proverbs 11:11

The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil                  things.                        Proverbs 15:28

The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright will deliver them.                           Proverbs 12:6

The Apostle James, Jesus's half-brother, offers great insight into the tongue's destructive power in James 3:1-12. In verses 8-10: But no one can tame the tongue; it is a restless evil and full of deadly poison. With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God; from the same mouth come both blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way. Similarly, Proverbs and Psalms give us a healthy understanding of the power of words. In Proverbs 25:11, Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances. The above verses give us both sides of the equation.  Knowing that one's quality of relationship with God defines the kingdom he represents and the positive or negative effect his communication has on his world. As a result, the believer must consider his speech before he speaks, allowing it to be seasoned with salt and to produce the divine outcome the Lord intends. 

Other Promises

A wicked messenger falls into adversity, but a faithful envoy brings healing.     Proverbs 13:17 

The memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot.      Proverbs 10:7 

The hope of the righteous is gladness, but the expectation of the wicked perishes                      Proverbs 10:28

The wicked earns deceptive wages, but he who sows righteousness gets a true reward.      Proverbs 11:18

A righteous man has regard for the life of his animal, but even the compassion of the wicked is                 cruel.                           Proverbs 13:10 

A gray head is a crown of glory; it is found in the way of righteousness.       Proverbs 16:31

These verses suggest the wide-ranging impact righteousness and wickedness have on the world we live in. The faithful envoy is a source of healing for others. That is powerful! The righteous life leaves a legacy, unlike the rotting memory of the wicked. Righteousness produces gladness while the wicked have no hope. The righteous are not preoccupied with earning rewards in this life, knowing the true rewards await in the next life. There is even a verse about how one treats animals. Proverbs 16:31 is a verse I can identify with, having had a gray head progressively for the last few years. A crown of glory awaits the life lived righteously.

The Right Choice

“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you, life and death, the blessing and the curse. So, choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants, by loving the Lord your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.”                Deuteronomy 30:19-20

Many issues in life are truly beyond one's ability to choose, but the standards by which we live are within each person's control. Moses gave these words to God's people shortly before his death and the anticipated entry into the promised land from the wilderness. The Lord challenged them to walk in the righteousness of God, His life, representing Him to the many enemies they would face on the other side of the Jordan River. They were unaware of the impact that that commitment would have on others. The distance between righteousness and wickedness is the distance between life and death, and between blessing and curse. It is foundational for the believer’s highest quality of life on earth.