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As we remember Shavuot/Pentecost, the giving of Torah, Covenant, and the giving of Fathers Holy Spirit/ Ruach haKodesh, renewed Covenant; we may ask who are the kedoshim and what are the requirements to be one?
At the time of the first Shavuot, the children of Israel were called to be holy. Leviticus 19:1-2.
This was so they could enter into a relationship with the Holy One of Israel. Lev. 19 focuses on identifying a code of holiness, one that contained guidelines and restrictions regarding practical ethics; more than all the precious portions of the Torah.
In our desire for freedom and a life under grace in modern Christianity, we have neglected the need for personal holiness. Oftentimes we disregard the need for the reverential respect we should be showing towards our Heavenly Father Who is Holy, also to our Messiah Who is Holy and to Ruach HaKodesh, Whose very Name is Holy. If we are to have Him abide in us should we not be a prepared holy vessel?
The disciples counted the Omer from Pesach/Passover to Shavuot/Pentecost, 49/50 days, waiting, preparing themselves to receive the promise. Every year along with every Jewish male they followed the Moedim, especially the ‘shalosh regalim’, the 3 moed to be present in Jerusalem. This year the Joel 2:28-32 prophecy was fulfilled in their sight, the Fathers’ Holy Spirit was poured out on all flesh and Messiahs promise to be with them and us always began and has not diminished.
So what is holiness?
In the Hebrew the word kedushah comes from the root k d sh,
קֹ֫דֶשׁ (qof, dalet, shin) [sounds like k’desh/k’dosh]
The root word kodesh actually means “to consecrate”
and also means:
sanctity or set apartness. Strong’s 6918, 6944)
There are other words in Hebrew that use this root and include kadosh-holy, Kiddush-sanctifying the wine, kaddish-sanctifying the Name, kiddushin-the ring ceremony at a marriage, and so on. Kadosh means the realm of the sacred that is completely separate from all that is sinful and profane.
As noted in Is.59:15 it is elevated, lofty and beyond all comparison and entirely unique, Is. 40:25; entirely righteous, Is. 57:16 and in Psalm 99:3 glorious and awesome. (We have reduced this word awesome to a descriptive term for everyday usage when its root is in holy fearfulness, the sort that men fall face down on the ground and cannot move). Full of light and power, Isaiah 10:7.
Holiness and our Heavenly Father cannot be separated and it is His Name –
The Holy One blessed be He – Ha kadosh barukh hu.
The concept of what is said and meant as holy, is clearly a differentiation in realms. The realm of the holy is completely set apart from the common, the habitual everyday, or the profane. It is unique, awe-inspiring, can be dreadful, terrible, awful, as noted in Ps. 68:35 and Nehemiah 1:5. Our Heavenly Father as the Holy One is completely unique, sacred, distinct, and set apart as the only One of His kind, there is nothing and no one like Him. He alone is to be adored and worthy of true worship because He alone has no equal, no peers; He is without any rivals and His relationship to the world is as its Creator, Lord and King. Only He is eternally and infinitely known to Himself as, I Am That I Am. Ex.3:15.
Holiness by implication is more than an indifferent separation but it’s separation from that which is common, mundane and evil. Holiness implies absolute moral goodness and perfection and it’s impossible that the Holy One could agree with sin because this would destroy the distinction between the profane and the holy and undermine the very nature of holiness itself. That which is Holy, is in direct opposition to the profane and our Father must reject, hate and oppose that which violates the holy and sacred.
In Gen. 1:4, one of the first acts in the creation was the separating of heavenly light from spiritual darkness, suggesting that the realm of the holy which is represented by the divine light, is completely different from the world with its imperfections; however His Holy presence could be seen within the world as long as its integrity was not compromised. For people relating to our Heavenly Father, holiness describes a state of consecration which is achieved by set-apartness, ethical separation from profane culture which is rampant in this fallen world.
For them to be fit for a relationship with God, there were various commandments given through which the children of Israel were sanctified, set apart, to be kadosh-holy.
Because our Father is not just transcendent but is also immanent – that is He fills all of His creation, those who are called into His presence must be holy themselves. This holiness results in sanctification achieved through the obedience to His commandments, which included doing certain things and not doing certain things. There were also decrees given to further separate them from the customs and profanity of the nations that surrounded them. Because the Lord is Holy the Israelites could not be in relationship with Him if they took part on idolatrous and profane practices. They were called to be separate from all that was unholy. Lev. 11:44-45. The call to holiness was based on the fact that they were Gods possession because He had separated them from the nations. Lev. 20:26. We are also called to come apart and be separate because He has saved us out of this worlds systems.
The list includes:
Honoring parents and keeping Shabbat,
ish immo ve’aviv tira’u, ve’et-shabtotal tishmoru. Lev. 19:3.
Honoring the Lord by abstaining from idolatry,
al-tifnu el-ha’elilim, veilohel masekhah lo ta’asu lakhem Lev. 19:4.
Leaving gleanings of your harvest to the poor,
Lo te’khaleh pe’at sadekha
Not cursing others– lo-tekaliel cherish ve’lifnei iver titein mikhshol
and judge them favorably – be’tzedek tishpot amitekha.
Avoid gossip – lo-telekh rakhil be’ameykha
We must not hate our brother – lo tisna et-achikha bilvavekha
But love him as yourself – ve’ahavta le’re’akha kamokha
as Messiah referred to in Luke 10:29-37.
Although we are redeemed by the Blood of Yeshua/Jesus and His grace and mercy sustains us, we are to keep His commandments; and those just listed are not impossible to do. If you love Me keep my commandments. John 14:15 He did not come to abolish or do away with Torah Matthew 5:17 He came to complete it and show us how to live it correctly without all the human additions and doctrines of demons. Matthew 23:4
This command to be Holy as He is Holy, is not a suggestion, and it’s echoed in 1Peter 1:16 and 1Corinthians 6:19; this is relevant to those who consider themselves redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb, Messiah Yeshua haMashiach. Many are believers and followers, however not many are true disciples. We are without doubt in the end of this age and as spiritual darkness increases and evil is emboldened, we as the light of this world are called to a higher standard. To be a witness of His gospel, our personal testimony and lifestyle must reflect the standards given by the very Savior, Lord and King in Whom we say we believe and trust. We are to be His kedoshim, His Holy ones, to be Holy as He is Holy.
The call to holiness is without compromise and is based on the hope that will be fulfilled at the revealing of Messiah at His second coming. Paul outlines the same moral constraints that mark a separated- called out people of God, the ecclesia. Believers in Messiah are to be free from the sin that saturates the culture around us and in particular free from sexual immorality, which is actually idolatry. We must remember that a believer, a follower, a disciple of Yeshua/Jesus is not exempt from the call to personal holiness, since the Lord God of Israel is the same yesterday, today and forever and He is Holy, Kadosh,
…we are to be Holy- Kadosh,
His Kedoshim.
Shalom, shalom mishpachah/family
and cheverim/friends!
It’s all about Life and Relationship,
NOT Religion.
You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.
NOT SURE?
YOU CAN BE..
SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…
Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past.
I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus/Yeshua is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus/Yeshua rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name. Amen.
This scripture is not often used as a sermon reference.
You what you sow is not made alive unless it dies and that which you sow you sow not the body that will be but bare grain. 1 Cor 15:36-37.
They first have to become seeds of death before they can become seeds of life.
Our bodies, physical corruptible bodies, will finally be sown in death, yet they’ll be raised to incorruptible life. They’ll be sown in dishonor but raised to glory; sown a natural body and then raised a spiritual one.
But until that Day, the day of the resurrection of the dead, we are faced with taking up our cross, daily dying to self, the self centered life. Only then will our lives in Messiah come alive today, that we may reap tomorrow the harvest of new life in Him.
It’s sad to say but many believers are slow and often reluctant to give up our lives for Him; though we desire and long to walk as He and His disciples/apostles walked in the ways of salvation, power, miracles and peace. However, we are somewhat unwilling to give up our lifestyles, to sacrifice them for the sake of living His.
We allow strings of our past to remain attached as we try to build our new life inside the old structure. Doing this, results in us placing and restricting Messiah to a corner we have kept for Him; and then we choose a convenient time when it suits us, in our schedule, to consult Him for what we need. This should not be..
As long as we keep Him confined in one area of the life we have constructed for ourselves we’ll never be made alive in Him.
Learning Hebrew and discovering meanings to words and phrases is wonderful but unless we get the foundational life of obedience and total commitment to The Father, according to His ways, commandments and ordinances, which are His directions for living a holy life set apart for Him; all else is not important in comparison. We must keep our priorities in godly order, or we will miss the mark of the prize of the high calling.
It doesn’t matter how much we sow in prayer and hope, asking the Lord to free us from troubles, to destroy our enemies and bring change to our situation….’ What we sow will not be made alive unless it dies’.
It’s not until we are willing to die daily to who we used to be – especially to the parts of the old us and the old life we’d really like to keep – the life in Messiah of fruitfulness will always be out of reach.
If we are to live in Messiah we must sow ourselves in death into that grave, we are to leave everything . Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies’…
If we die with Him, we’ll be raised with Him,
identified with his death and
the fellowship of His sufferings.
Many don’t like that line in the scripture Phil. 3:10
identified with his death and
the fellowship of His sufferings;
because we are really wanting to hear pleasant words of comfort, wealth, blessings and a life of ease and prosperity without problems. A life of ease and luxury is not what Messiah promised us and so, we are looking for the wrong lifestyle. We are to leave everything of the old life both good and bad, to walk away from it, just as the disciples did.
‘Sowing not the body that will be but bare grain’.
What we compromise to keep we will inevitably lose. And furthermore, we don’t yet know what we will become, or who we really are. 1 John 3:2.
The body that will be, grows from the seeds sown in nakedness – no facades, no baggage, no compromise and no expectations; except that we will be quickened, made alive in Messiah. What kind of fruit will we bear and what kind of harvest will we reap? As long as we remain ‘alive to ourselves’, what kind of life will it be, or can it be …’unless it dies? ‘
So many believers simply add Jesus/Yeshua to their already existing lives and fit everything neatly into a ‘Christian package’; with church attendance and prayer meetings, bible studies and volunteer good works. It’s a preformed, denominational calendar of weekly events. Nowhere in the new or old testament is there such a format. Our heavenly Fathers Appointed times, His Moedim, are clear. Western Christianity formed mostly from Roman Catholic influence, has developed its own religious traditions, doctrines and agendas; this is not in line with a New Testament Messianic lifestyle. We are to live ‘in the world‘ but ‘we are not of it’ John 17:14-16. We are to leave the world and it ways and lifestyles behind, just as they left Egypt, which is a type of the world. But we don’t, we just seem to incorporate Christianity into how we live and absorb it into our life routines. That’s not what we are called to do/become. Jesus/Yeshua Himself said in Luke 14:26-33. whosoever does not hate….. cannot be My disciple. The influences of the systems of the world are demonic in their foundations. Tempting Messiah he said: I will give You authority over all these kingdoms and all their glory, he said. For it has been relinquished to me, and I can give it to anyone I wish. Luke 4:6. Clearly they belong to the devil for the time being, until they become the kingdoms of our God and His Christ.. Rev. 11:15.
Make no mistake, these kingdoms and governmental systems are influencing and exercising control over our lives more and more. We must not be of this world, even though we are obliged to obey some of its rules and regulations. Our Heavenly Fathers’ Kingdom of the Heavens is within us and we must allow every attribute of Kingdom living to penetrate our lives, and show forth outwardly that which is growing within from the godly seed that was sown in our hearts. 1Peter 2:9.
Remember the word disciple/talmid, cannot be separated from discipline, obedience in walking the walk/halak. This walk is daily dying to self will, self centered choices and self aggrandizement; and indeed every selfish introspective lust and desire of our rebellious flesh. We are given time, a whole lifetime, to prepare our hearts and lives and we are encouraged and cautioned to be ready…let’s not put off until tomorrow what we can put right today.
These posts may seem repetitive and that’s because His word is unchangeable, it’s the same yesterday, today and forever. Hebrews 13:8. It is established in and for eternity. Psalm 119:89. Don’t let the enemy of our souls distract us from what we know is truth, wherein is freedom granted by His merciful grace. The clock is ticking and we may not have the time we think we have.
Shalom, shalom mishpachah/family
and cheverim/friends!
It’s all about Life and Relationship,
NOT Religion.
You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.
NOT SURE?
YOU CAN BE..
SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…
Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past.
I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus/Yeshua is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus/Yeshua rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name. Amen
Believers agree that the Bible is the Word of our Heavenly Father and Yeshua/Jesus was and is the Word made flesh. This means the Word is alive, i.e. the Bible is a Living book. This explains why even when we read the scriptures daily and think we remember what it says, we can suddenly see/read something we never saw before. Fathers Holy Spirit opens our spiritual eyes and reveals a nugget of wisdom and a depth of understanding into a portion of His Word that enhances our faith and increases our knowledge of Who He is; and in turn adds to the development and intimacy of our loving relationship with Him.
If we are following the weekly Parashat in the annual reading through Torah, included below are some crusts, crumbs and nuggets we may have missed on our initial reading of these verses in Leviticus chapters 14 and 15. The Torah portion is called Metzora = cleansing of infected ones.
The theme of Leviticus is how sinful man draws near to a Holy God. We know of course that because Messiah came, He has made the Way for us to approach our Heavenly Holy Father; however it is helpful to know and see how the instructions given to the children of Israel were a foreshadowing of Messiah Himself. These instructions and Ways were known in detail to the Israelites and when Messiah came, those alive at the time saw these prophetic fore-shadowings fulfilled.
In Lev. 14:1-7, we read about the process.
The meaning of the cleansing process:
Two live birds = two birds represent Yeshua/Jesus and a sinner.
One bird is to be slaughtered = the bird that is killed represents Yeshua/Jesus Who died to set us free of the bondage of sin.
Earthen vessel = The earthen vessel is not a vessel of brass, shows that this is not a judgment against the sinner. (In the Bible brass represents judgment.)
Living water = living water represents His Holy Spirit/Ruach haKodesh Who would be given in more fullness after Messiah’s death. He shows us our need to be saved.
Live bird = The live bird having been set free after having the blood and living water applied, displays the freedom from the bondage of sin, through the blood of Yeshua/Jesus and the Taval/baptism (where His Holy Spirit descended). He died so that we can live.
Cedar Wood = Cedar wood is not affected by attacks of insects, they are repelled by it. The adversary cannot take us out of the protective hand of our Heavenly Father, he is repelled by His presence.
Hyssop = Hyssop was used to put the blood on the door posts and lintel at the first Passover. It was also used to give Messiah when He was on the tree/cross. Both of these events saved us from death. David says in Psalm 51:7 purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean, wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.
Crimson thread = the crimson thread saved the physical lives of Rahab and her whole family, Joshua 2:18-19. This, points to the blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Crimson thread was made using a dye from a worm. Psalm 22:6-8 But I am a worm and no man a reproach of men and despised of the people. All they that see me laugh Me to scorn they shoot out the lip they shake the head saying He trusted on Yahweh that He would deliver Him let Him deliver Him seeing He delighted in Him.
For more on the ‘worm’ – click link below.
Immerse his clothing shave off all his hair and immerse himself in water and become pure. = This act of removing hair from the body is an indication of the removing of pride and arrogance from our lives. Many have never had their heads shaved and some experience this when entering the military and it has a profound effect on individuals attitude. This was the practice against the Jews during the holocaust.
He must live outside his tent for seven days. This possibly indicates that the fullness of inclusion into the Kingdom of the Heavens is after the thousand-year reign when the new heavens and a new earth are established.
Why did they have to do this strange ritual? For us looking back, we see the meaning but for them it was a ‘chok’, beyond the range of human reason. Some of the sages speculated that the cedar represents pride, as it is one of the grandest of trees, (Cedars of Lebanaon). whereas the hyssop represents humility, as it is one of the most common and lowest lying of branches. The consecration of Aaron and his sons as priests at the Mishkan, which indicate the full restoration of the metzora back to the community. The scarlet thread represents Jesus/Yeshua because His blood holds everything together and makes atonement possible.
For more on ‘chok’- click link below.
In verse 5, and the priest shall command that one of the birds is to be killed in an earthen vessel over running water.
Running water = living water. Water that is not still and prone to become stagnant but a spring of water that continually flows fresh with life giving benefits. This is significant because Yeshua spoke of Himself as Living Water in John 4:7—10 She would have known the scriptures well, and understood that He was the long awaited Messiah and why she immediately rushed to tell everyone in her town that He had come.
The third stage of purification in Lev. 8:24,
instructs the applying of blood
to the right ear,
thumb of the right hand
he big toe of the right foot;
it is the same process as the inauguration of the priests.
This shows us that the one being cleansed is committing to
hear only wholesome talk,
perform and be occupied with only righteous deeds and
only go to places where our Heavenly Father, Yeshua/Jesus and His Holy Spirit are honored.
The next scriptures in Leviticus speak of the cleansing from Tzaraat and the need to call for a Temple Priest to come and examine the individual. The priest was to prescribe the remedy and also be the one to declare the person clean. Now, when we read in Luke 17:11-19; of the 10 men with Leprosy/tzaraat and Yeshua/Jesus tells them to go and show themselves to the priest. This had never happened before without the prescribed process. Verse 32. Only Messiah our High Priest, can cleanse this condition.
When the 10 men with Tzaraat went to the Temple after Messiah had cleansed them, it was a proclamation to the Priesthood that Messiah had come. Never before had 10 men with tzaraat been cleansed at one time. It is possible that no one had been cleansed before without the precise instructions being followed. This may also have been a sign that the uncleanness of the 10 tribes had been forgiven, and they were being called back to Messiah. We have known of the need to say thank you for what the Lord has done for us yet we sometimes miss another meaning from the Torah which Messiah came to complete.
One last point to ponder.
Lev. 15:19-28 speaks about a woman’s ‘niddah’, the time of separation each month. There is a related scripture and event described in Mark 5:21-43.
We have heard many sermons on these verses The woman was healed of the plague of an unending time of impurity having had this condition for 12 years; and it could point to what Messiah came to do for the 12 Tribes of Israel (His Bride). He came to end their time of separation (niddah) from the Father and bring healing for their relationship with their Creator. The little girl who was 12 years old, who was brought back to life; could point to the fact that the 12 tribes (bride), were separated from the Heavenly bridegroom Yahweh and had a judgment of death on them. Yeshua/Jesus death would allow them to be brought back under the renewed covenant as Paul talks about in Romans chapters 6 &7.
It was the prerogative of the Lord God of Yisrael to touch those afflicted with tzaraat and heal them based on their teshuvah/repentance; and in like manner Messiah came into the leper colony of humanity, to heal those who cried out to Him. He is the same yesterday, today and forever, and His love reaches down to those who are afflicted and oppressed because of their uncleanness. If we call upon Him He will touch us and restore us to fellowship with our Heavenly Father. He is just waiting….
Shalom, shalom mishpachah/family
and cheverim/friends!
It’s all about Life and Relationship,
NOT Religion.
You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.
NOT SURE?
YOU CAN BE..
SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…
Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past.
I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus/Yeshua is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus/Yeshua rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name. Amen
There are so many other references throughout scripture that offer answers to our question; for this short study, we will look primarily in Proverbs 11 where there are several verses that help us to understand what righteousness does and give us greater insight.
We may already know the answer to the question of what righteousness is, but do we have a ready answer for its function in the life of a believer in Jesus/Yeshua haMashiach?
Proverbs in Hebrew is Mishlei מִשְׁלֵי
In Hebrew The Lord our Righteousness is
Yehoveh Tsidkenu/Yahweh Tsidqenu .
H3072 – יְהֹוָה צִדְקֵנוּ Yᵉhôvâh tsidqênûw,
Pronounced: ye-ho-vaw’ tsid-kay’-noo;
(from and with pronominal suffix.)
This name is also known as Jehovah Tsidqenu.
The word “Tsidkenu” is derived from “Tsedek”
and means
“righteousness,” “right,” “honest,” accurate,” justice”, “truth,” or “integrity.”
For the time is coming, says the Lord, when I will place a righteous Branch upon King David’s throne. He shall be a King who shall rule with wisdom and justice and cause righteousness to prevail everywhere throughout the earthThis is his name whereby he shall be called, The Lord our Righteousness” Jeremiah 23:6
Starting in Proverbs 11 and verse 4 we read that
righteousness rescues from death.
This is true in both physical and spiritual terms. Remembering what righteousness is – in right relationship or right standing with God – we are in a position to receive all of the promises in His Word. These promises include protection, both physically and spiritually.
Both Psalms 23 & 91 contain lists of some of the things we are protected from.
Death is a definite reality that we all face, however it is the death of the body not the spirit. Spirit is eternal in nature and cannot die in the same way as a physical flesh body dies, decays and ceases to exist. The death we fear is based in flesh and from a physical carnal viewpoint. According to scripture, we are all dead in our sins before being born again from above by the Spirit of the living God. We were physically born into sin and both physical and spiritual death is inevitable without the regeneration of the born again experience.
Ephesians 2:1 And you were dead in our trespasses and sins.
Colossians 2:13 When you were dead in your trespasses and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our trespasses..
His righteousness delivers us from the power of death.
The term ‘spiritual death’, means to be forever cut off from the presence of our Heavenly Father and His Kingdom. No thing that is ‘spiritually dead’ or ‘sinful’, can exist in His presence. He is life/chaim and Holy/kadosh and it is His righteousness, not ours, which makes us fit to be in His presence; both while still on the physical earth in a physical body but also to be transformed into the image of His Son and a final destination in His presence forever.
Righteousness delivers/rescues us from death – wealth and riches will not.
Continuously walking in the way of righteousness allows us to inherit true (spiritual) riches from our Heavenly Father. Proverbs 8:20-21.
No matter how many billions a person has, they cannot buy the righteousness of God. It was bought and paid for by Messiah. It comes only by grace to those who choose to believe and receive His mercy; by forgiveness of sin trusting in the blood of the pure and Holy Lamb of God. Blood that has wiped away sin and rescued us from its result … that is spiritual death.
1 Corinthians 1:30 – But by His doing you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption,
The next verse 5 tells us
righteousness of the innocent levels their way
and
Proverbs 3:6
leads them on the safest route to their goal and removes all obstacles.
If we will trust in our Heavenly Father’s righteousness which has been imparted to us He goes before us leading us in the way, or path of righteousness as confirmed in Psalm 23:3, “He guides me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.” This concept emphasizes living a life aligned and in tune with God’s will plans and purposes together with moral integrity.
In Verse 6 we read that the righteousness of the upright are delivered from trouble. Walking in line with all that the Word of God tells us to, and keeping His commandments causes us to be delivered from trouble. The enemy of our souls is the one who causes us trouble and it is usually through temptations aimed at our desires and fleshly cravings that lead us to stumble and miss the mark.
In the next Verse, 9, By knowledge the righteous are delivered.
As children of righteousness, it is by knowledge and understanding we gain freedom. It is the knowledge of Who our Heavenly Father is, it’s relationship and by knowing Him we also know HIs Word; not only the written Word but the Word made flesh, Messiah. From the very first verse, the Book of Proverbs is filled with helpful guidance on gaining wisdom, knowledge and understanding.
Verse 10 tells us that when the righteous prosper the city rejoices. The righteousness of The Lord spreads and causes all those around to rejoice. When we carry His presence into a place His peace/shalom and righteousness reigns.
Verse 18 reminds us again of the spiritual principles of the Kingdom of God, the spiritual law of sowing and reaping; truly whatever we sow we shall reap and here we are encouraged that to sow righteousness – gain a true reward.
Verse 19 reminds us that genuine righteousness leads to life. It is the righteousness imparted by our Heavenly Father, not self righteousness.
Romans 10:3 – For not knowing about God’s righteousness and seeking to establish their own, they did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God. Paul emphasizes that righteousness comes through faith in Yeshua ha Mashiach/Jesus Christ, not through adherence to the law or personal merit; true righteousness comes from our Heavenly Father, not from our own works or self-perception.
Titus 3:5. He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit…
Eph. 2:8-9. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
An interesting promise for our children, for both physical and spiritual, is in verse 21 the offspring of the righteous will escape.
In verse 23 we are told that the righteous desire only good.
This is because they made the decision to not give in to the desires of the flesh. For us it means we have died to the old man, the carnal nature has been crucified with Messiah/Christ and our desires which were rooted in the lusts of the flesh have been changed into those of the spiritual life and desire for all things that pertain to life and godliness. Gal. 5:24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit.
28 the righteous flourish like sprouting leaves another scripture in Psalm 92:13-15 also says that Those that be planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bring forth fruit in old age; they shall be fat and flourishing; To shew that the LORD is upright: he is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in him. The phrase “planted in the house of the Lord“ signifies a committed relationship with our heavenly Father. Much like a garden requires care and attentiveness, our relationship with Him requires effort and dedication; this verse emphasizes the transformative power of being rooted in Him. Psalm 1:3 And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
30 fruit if righteous is a tree of life.. There are many references to His children being like trees and bearing fruit and here the verse is saying that that, the fruit we bear is righteous, or has its root in the righteousness of our Heavenly Father, it will be as a tree of life. Not just a single fruit but the source of further fruit. Our roots must be deep on a firm foundation and draw our sustenance from the river of life. The original tree of life was in gan eden where eternal life with the Father was lost. Messiah died physically on a ‘tree’ to restore the eternal life that was lost. He is our tree of life and His life has been imparted to us.
31 righteous paid what they deserve here on earth. Those who follow the way of Messiah and our Heavenly Fathers Kingdom principles, who walk not after the flesh but after the Ruach haKodesh/Holy Spirit within, will receive wages accordingly; again the principle of sowing and reaping. The rewards that are promised are both for this life and the next, and He knows what we need day to day. Matthew 6:8 Your Father knows what you need before you ask and Phil. 4:19 But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. This verse emphasizes that our loving Heavenly Father will provide for the needs of those who trust in Him.
The promise in Prov. 22:8; Ps. 112:9 and
2 Cor. 9:9 is that His tzedakah lasts forever.
It is not something that is fleeting and will pass away,
His Truth is that righteousness IS the good news.
We are the righteousness of God in Christ. It is His righteousness NOT ours. It’s the covering we wear as forgiven believers. A robe of righteousness, a covering, a garment; the garment of salvation we are made righteous by His blood. In right standing relationship with Messiah and with the Father through Yeshua/Jesus. Righteousness is likened to the breastplate which was worn by the High Priest, representing the 12 tribes of Israel. Messiah is now our High Priest and in Ephesians 6 and 2 Cor. 10:4, it has become part of the equipment provided for us to be victorious and demolish strongholds.
What does Righteousness do?
Righteousness rescues from death,
levels our way leading us on the safest route by removing all obstacles,
Righteousness rescues us, delivers from trouble,
we prosper when we sow it,
we gain a true reward,
it leads to life,
it causes us to desire only good;
and then we flourish like leaves that sprout.
The fruit we bear is a tree of life that we can share with others and we will receive the fruit of that righteousness here on earth; and it is part of the spiritual armor of authority and protection against onslaughts of the enemy.
Wow! Thank you Father for Your righteousness.
Shalom, shalom mishpachah/family
and cheverim/friends!
It’s all about Life and Relationship,
NOT Religion.
You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.
NOT SURE?
YOU CAN BE..
SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…
Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past.
I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus/Yeshua is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus/Yeshua rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name. Amen
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