Lesson 9What is Christ Like? |
The name of God that we will study in this lesson is Jehovah-Tsidkenu (Je-ho′ - vah Tsid-kay′ - noo) which means Jehovah our Righteousness. Both Jehovah–Shalom and Jehovah-Tsidkenu are names that came out of troubled times for God’s people.
After King Solomon, God’s people were divided into two kingdoms. Ten of the twelve tribes of the Jews were in the north and were called Israel. The two tribes in the south were called Judah. This division took place around 931 BC. God did not give the name Jehovah-Tsidkenu to His people until after Israel had been in exile. This name was then revealed to Judah. The kingdom of Israel ended in 722 BC and Judah ended in 586 BC.
Some questions come to mind about these times. Why did the nation of Israel fall apart? Where was God during these times? Was God not JEHOVAH-NISSI (Jehovah my Banner) and JEHOVAH-JIREH (The Lord will provide)? The answer to the last question is “yes.” God was and is JEHOVAH-NISSI (Jehovah my Banner) and JEHOVAH-JIREH (The Lord will provide). The first two questions and answers are important to Christians because they are similar to questions that we ask today. The answer to the first question is that they, the nation of Israel, were not doing what they knew they should do before God. They had forgotten who God is to them and we are not talking just about His name. They had chosen to follow different gods, false gods, and were worshiping these gods in God’s house. So where was God during this time? He was being God. He sent His prophets to warn the people to come back to Him. You must remember that God does not force Himself upon anyone. He has always wanted each of us with Him because we choose to be with Him. So, why did God give the people this name at this time?
God had two reasons for using the name Jehovah-Tsidkenu. One reason was to let His people know that He had not forgotten the promise (covenant) which He gave to their fathers. The second reason was that He is righteous. How important is this idea of righteousness to God and the Jews? It is very important because it carries the concept of justice: what is right and just in judgment on the people. In fact God makes it clear in Leviticus 19:35, 36 and Deuteronomy 25:15 that we are to deal with people fairly and honestly. If God wants us to deal fairly and honestly with each other, then do you think that He would deal fairly and honestly with us?
In Jeremiah 23:1-8, we see how the name Jehovah-Tsidkenu, the LORD our Righteousness, is used and why it is used. Also in Jeremiah 33:1-16 God confirms His promise to His people. His righteousness brings punishment to those who mislead His people and do evil. He redeems and restores the remnant taken in captivity, and He fulfills His covenant with His people. In Jesus Christ we have the Lord of righteousness and the fulfillment of God’s promise. Paul clearly explains to us what this means in Romans 3:20-26.
Romans 3:20-26
20. Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.21. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
22. Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
23. For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24. Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
25. Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
26. To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
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