righteousness and justice

 The Old Testament prophets emphasized the importance of righteousness and justice in the sight of God. They saw righteousness as a right relationship with God, characterized by obedience to His commands and a desire to live according to His will. The prophets often condemned the people of Israel for their lack of righteousness and urged them to turn back to God and live justly.

For example, the prophet Amos spoke of God's desire for "justice [to] roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream" (Amos 5:24) [1]. The prophet Micah declared that God requires his people "to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God" (Micah 6:8) [1].

The prophets saw justice as ensuring fairness and equity in society, protecting the rights of the vulnerable, and condemning oppression and corruption. They called the people to uphold justice in their dealings with one another and to seek the wellbeing of the entire community.

To be righteous and just, the prophets taught that one must have a right relationship with God, obey His commands, and work to create a just and equitable society. This involves acts of compassion, generosity, and concern for the less fortunate, as well as a commitment to honesty, integrity, and the fair administration of the law. [1][2]

In addition:

According to the New Testament, Jesus placed a strong emphasis on righteousness and justice. He taught that true righteousness comes not from outward religious observance, but from a right relationship with God and a genuine commitment to living according to His will.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus declared, "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied" (Matthew 5:6) [1]. He urged his followers to "seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness" (Matthew 6:33) [1], indicating that righteousness should be the primary pursuit in life.

Jesus also challenged the hypocrisy of the religious leaders, who focused on outward conformity to the law while neglecting the weightier matters of "justice and mercy and faithfulness" (Matthew 23:23) [1]. He insisted that true religion involves not only piety, but also a concern for the wellbeing of others, particularly the vulnerable and marginalized.

Throughout his teachings, Jesus emphasized that righteousness and justice are interconnected. He called his followers to care for the poor, the sick, and the oppressed, and to work for the establishment of God's kingdom on earth, which would be characterized by justice, mercy, and compassion. [1]

Finally:

The rest of the New Testament continues the emphasis on righteousness and justice that was present in the teachings of Jesus. The apostles built upon Jesus' message, elaborating on the importance of living righteously and promoting justice in the world.

The apostle Paul taught that true righteousness comes through faith in Christ, not through adherence to the Mosaic law. He declared that "the righteous shall live by faith" (Romans 1:17) [1] and that "there is no distinction: for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus" (Romans 3:22-24) [1].

The book of James stresses that faith without works is dead, and that true religion involves "caring for orphans and widows in their distress" (James 1:27) [1]. The author of Hebrews encourages readers to "strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord" (Hebrews 12:14) [1].

The book of Revelation depicts the final judgment, where God will establish perfect justice and righteousness, rewarding the righteous and punishing the wicked. The apostle John writes, "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more. And I saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God" (Revelation 21:1-2) [1], signifying the ultimate triumph of God's righteousness and justice.

Throughout the New Testament, the message is clear: Righteousness and justice are essential components of the Christian life, and believers are called to embody these qualities in their personal conduct and in their engagement with the world around them. [1]

Sources:

1 The Dake Annotated Reference Bible, King James Version, Large Print Edition, 1999, Containing Old and New Testaments, by Finis Jennings Dake

2 Biblical Theology by Geerhardus Vos