Jesus, Pilate and Job all presented questions in Scripture that every heart must answer:
And he asked them,”But who do you say that I am?” (Mark 8:29)
Pilate said to them, “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” (Matthew 27:22)
“How then can man be righteous before God?” (Job 25:4)
Today, while we will concentrate on Job’s question, we will consider all three.
Just on the heels of dealing with the sin of the unfaithful priest, in Jeremiah 23:6 Jehovah introduced Himself by a brand new name…Jehovah-Tsidkenu. It’s only used one other time in Scripture and is also tucked in the pages of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 33:16). It is a name God gives Himself and a name He gives His children.
What we are about to examine is some intriguing stuff, sweet friends. No story told can equal the beauty in which God unveils Himself to His people. So stay with me as we follow the trail of truth God leaves to lead us to Himself!
Jeremiah was speaking to a nation whose king was wicked. His name was Zedekiah, which means Jehovah is Righteous. His original name was Mattaniah (Gift of God) but when his father, Nebuchadnezzar, made him king, he changed his son’s name to Zedekiah.
It was a familiar story. God had blessed His people but it didn’t take long before they had turned their backs on Him and began to sin.
God’s eyes were not blind to Zedekiah’s wickedness and He told him through Jeremiah the prophet, “I myself will fight against you with outstretched hand and strong arm, in anger and in fury and in great wrath.” (Jeremiah 21:5)
God’s eyes were not blind to His children’s sin either and in Jeremiah 32:30, God declares, “For the children of Israel and the children of Judah have done nothing but evil in my sight from their youth. “
In both Scripture references where God uses the name, Jehovah-Tsidkenu, He gives us a astounding parallel. He is our merciful God who delights in His people and chooses to bring redemption, restoration and righteousness to His wayward children.
- In the first mention (Jeremiah 23:6) God promises to exchange the one who should have lived up to his name as a righteous king who trusted Jehovah (Zedekiah) with THE LORD WHO IS OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS. That promise was fulfilled in Jesus Christ who the Bible states – is our righteousness (1 Corinthians 1:30, 2 Corinthians 5:21, Philippians 3:9). Jesus is the New Testament fulfillment of the Old Testament name, Jehovah-Tsidkenu – In contrast to Zedekiah (the unrighteous king), Jesus is the Righteous King who is also our righteousness.
- The second mention (Jeremiah 33:16) is to change the whole nation from wayward and wicked hearts and give them a new heart as well as a new name, Jehovah-Tsidkenu. Because of Christ, we can become just as righteous as He is. Just as the nation was named Jehovah-Tsidkenu, He names us the same.
- Job’s question has been answered by The LORD Our Righteousness. Only Jehovah-Tsidkenu canmake a man righteous. But we must each personally answer the eternity-deciding questions posed by Jesus and Pilate.
- Jesus asked…”But who do you say that I am?” (Mark 8:29) (Is He the Son of God – the Righteous One with Healing on His wings – the Christ?)
- Pilate replied… “Then what shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?” (Matthew 27:22) (Have you let Him be your Righteousness? If not, will you?)
Have you answered those questions yet? How does knowing Jesus is our righteousness affect your day to day actions?
I just had to share this beautiful song that we sing at church to the tune, “My Jesus I Love Thee.”
I once was a stranger to grace and to God,
I knew not my danger, and felt not my load;
Though friends spoke in rapture of Christ on the tree,
Jehovah Tsidkenu was nothing to me.
Like tears from the daughters of Zion that roll,
I wept when the waters went over His soul;
Yet thought not that my sins had nailed to the tree
Jehovah Tsidkenu—’twas nothing to me.
When free grace awoke me, by light from on high,
Then legal fears shook me, I trembled to die;
No refuge, no safety in self could I see—
Jehovah Tsidkenu my Saviour must be.
My terrors all vanished before the sweet name;
My guilty fears banished, with boldness I came
To drink at the fountain, life giving and free—
Jehovah Tsidkenu is all things to me.
Even treading the valley, the shadow of death,
This “watchword” shall rally my faltering breath;
For while from life’s fever my God sets me free,
Jehovah Tsidkenu, my death song shall be.
Robert M. McCheyne – 1837
Myra ~ Thank you so much for sharing that beautiful song! As I prepared for this post and throughout this week, I am intentionally focusing on Jehovah-Tsidkenu – The LORD Our Righteousness! How beautiful to know, “No refuge, no safety in self could I see—
Jehovah Tsidkenu my Saviour must be.”
I love this “trail” you trace for us, Stephanie. Knowing He is my righteousness gives me RELIEF to know that He is able to cover over my sin with His holiness. It gives me CONFIDENCE to know He has the power to shape me into His image and make my life match His. How amazing to know that His righteousness makes Him the perfect sacrifice.
Julie ~ I love how the Lord makes Himself known to us! So thankful that He not only IS my righteousness, but that He also calls me righteous because of Christ! I love that you reminded us of the confidence we have in Him!
Stephanie, I loved this post. So beautiful. Such an overwhelming and blessed thought. Knowing Jesus is our Righteousness. Without Him we are nothing.
I also appreciate Myra posting this song. I had never heard it before and it was such a blessing.
Blessings~
Marita
Marita ~ You are so right! What a reminder that without Him we are nothing! (I had never heard that song either…but thankful Myra shared it!) :-)
Great article, thanks for sharing! The Spirit is restoring a love for righteousness and hatred of evil that our Western culture has too long ignored! We must focus on the righteousness of Jesus before we get wrapped up in our service for God…Thank God for His all sufficient grace for us!
Great stuff!