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