RIGHTEOUSNESS THROUGH FAITH The matter to which both the Law and the Prophets witnessed was a righteousness from God. Neither of them declared that it was present, but that it was coming. The witness of the Law and the Prophets was twofold. First, they confirmed that men needed a righteousness from God. Second, they foretold by types, shadows, and prophecies that such a righteousness would be provided by God. -- Tomorrow:
"But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; 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: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 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; to declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus." (Rom 3:21-26)
WITNESSED BY THE LAW AND PROPHETS
" . . . the righteousness of God . . . being witnessed by the law and the prophets . . . "
THE LAW: RIGHTEOUSNESS IS NEEDED
The Law held before men the requirements of God. The Ten Commandments were precisely that – "commandments." They were neither suggestions nor goals. The Law placed before men a means to life: "You shall therefore keep My statutes and My judgments, which if a man does, he shall live by them: I am the LORD" (Lev 18:5, NKJV). To "live" before God equates to being accepted by, and united to, Him. Those who took the Law seriously became acutely aware of their own unrighteousness, and of the absolute essentiality of righteousness before God. It whetted the appetite of sensitive hearts for that righteousness.
In the sacrificial system, outlined in the book of Leviticus, a witness to the righteousness of God was also seen. The need for the shedding of blood, cleansing, and atonement placed before men the need for a satisfactory and approved means to approach God. A sense of the necessity of cleansing was developed, as well as the need for God being approached with the utmost sobriety (Heb 5:1; 8:3; 9:9,23; 10:1-11; 10:11).
The ministry of the high priest declared the need for the ongoing provision of Divine satisfaction. A righteousness from God, even though conferred, would require the presence of an active Representative before the Living God. That Representative must be selected by God, and accomplish the work of God. All of this is fulfilled by the Lord Jesus Christ (Heb 2:17; 3:1; 4:14-16; 5:5-10; 6:20; 7:26; 8:1-3; 9:7-25; 10:21; 13:11).
THE PROPHETS: RIGHTEOUSNESS FORETOLD
The righteousness announced in the Gospel was witnessed to by the holy prophets. They spoke of a time of acceptability, and of a change in character.
As a prophet, Moses spoke of a time when men would be changed. "And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live" (Deut 30:6). This circumcision is experienced in Christ Jesus, and is a view of being granted "the righteousness of God" (Col 2:11-12).
Ezekiel witnessed to this righteousness as the removal of the heart of stone, and the granting of a heart of flesh. "A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh" (Ezek 36:26).
Isaiah proclaimed this righteousness as the experience of liberty and change. "Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert" (Isa 35:5-6).
Jeremiah said it was experienced by the Lord Himself becoming our righteousness. "In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is his name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS" (Jer 23:6; 33:16).
Malachi declared the righteousness from the standpoint of its Origin, declaring it would result in renewal and release. "But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall" (Mal 4:2).
Because none were righteous, "no not one," exceeding great and precious promises were held out to men, giving them hope of a better day. Under the administration of the Lord Jesus, and because of His accomplishments, these promises are now realized by faith. This is why Paul said, "Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: that Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should show light unto the people, and to the Gentiles" (Acts 26:22-23). He devoted himself to the proclamation of the Gospel, in which all that Moses and the Prophets promised was revealed. There were no theological novelties in his preaching, and there ought not be in ours. The summation of that revelation is the conferment of the righteousness of God upon men. What a marvelous announcement! "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ . . . For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith" (Rom 1:17, NIV).
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, I thank You for witness of Moses and the Prophets concerning a righteousness for men, and for their faithfulness to proclaim it, even though it was not fulfilled in their day.