Tuesday
Suppose there is a righteous man who does what is just and right. He does not eat at the mountain shrines or look to the idols of the house of Israel. He does not defile his neighbor’s wife or lie with a woman during her period. He does not oppress anyone, but returns what he took in pledge for a loan. He does not commit robbery but gives his food to the hungry and provides clothing for the naked. He does not lend at usury or take excessive interest. He withholds his hand from doing wrong and judges fairly between man and man.
He follows my decrees and faithfully keeps my law. That man is righteous; he will surely live, declares the Sovereign Lord.
(Ezekiel 18:5-9, NIV)
In the middle of the prophet Ezekiel’s oracle of judgment against Israel, a judgment given while in exile in Babylon, the picture of the life of a righteous man is provided. In stark contrast to the verses that follow today’s devotional depicting the life of a violent son, Ezekiel’s description of a man who is “just and right” is illuminating.
A righteous man, according to Ezekiel, avoids eating meat sacrificed to idols, is not an adulterer, does not oppress anyone especially the poor who offer a pledge for a loan, nor does he rob people in either an overt (armed robbery) or a covert (charging excessive interest) fashion. Not only does the righteous man avoid all these things, but he takes positive steps by giving food to the hungry, providing clothes for the needy, and judging fairly between people. Ezekiel quotes the “Sovereign Lord” who says of this man: “He follows my decrees and faithfully keeps my laws. That man is righteous, he will surely live” (v. 9).
From God’s perspective, living a life like this righteous man is what he desires from us. Although the word “peace” is not specifically mentioned in these verses, it is reasonable to conclude that if all men and women chose to live like this, there would be true peace in society.
Prayer
Lord God, we confess that we do not live like the righteous man, but often violate your decrees. We thank you for this description of what righteous living is like. Through the Holy Spirit, give us the will to be a positive force in our world for your glory. Amen.