Jehovah TSIDKENU

Jehovah TSIDKENU = “Lord our RIGHTEOUSNESS”

Last night I was going through some things in my room and cleaning up a bit when I came across an interesting bookmark. It is titled, “A Guide For An Hour of Prayer.” At first glance I didn’t think too much of it but I proceeded to read it and found some neat bullet points. The bullet points were names of God in a different language, which I just found out is Hebrew. I’ve never written about the names of God in regards to the Hebrew terms so I thought today would be a perfect time to start! :)

After searching Google for the phrase, “Jehovah TSIDKENU,” I noticed Jeremiah was a common passage that popped up. After researching a bit I came to Jeremiah 23:6 – “In his days Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely: and this is the name whereby he shall be called, THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS."

This passage is saying that the Lord alone is our righteousness and that apart from Him, we cannot be righteous. (No amount of “good deeds” could ever get us to this place of righteousness. This is why Christ had to die on the Cross for us. He made us righteous in the Lord’s sight!) I love this idea, because it shows how loving and gracious our God really is! He knew that time and time again we would disobey Him and yet He loved us enough to make us righteous in His sight! (Check out the book of Hosea if you’re interested in learning more about this idea!) Also, Jesus, who had no sin became sin FOR US! (see 2 Corinthians 5:21)

C.H. Spurgeon has a great message that discusses this and how we wear Christ’s righteousness:

“…Christ in His life was so righteous, that we may say of the life, taken as a vehicle, that it is righteousness itself. Christ is the law incarnate Understand me. He lived out the law of God to the very full... In Scripture, Christ's righteousness is compared to fair white linen; then I am, if I wear it, without spot. It is compared to wrought gold; then I am, if I wear it, dignified and beautiful, and worthy to sit at the wedding feast of the King of kings. It is compared, in the parable of the prodigal son, to the best robe; then I wear a better robe than angels have, full they have not the best; but I, poor prodigal, once clothed in rage, companion to the nobility of the style,—I, fresh from the husks that swine do eat, am nevertheless clothed in the best robe, and am so accepted in the Beloved.”  We are His Beloved! :) (see Song of Solomon 6:3)

Spurgeon continues: “Moreover, it is also everlasting righteousness. Oh! this is, perhaps, the fairest point of it—that the robe be shall never be worn out; no thread of it shall ever give way. It shall never hang in tatters upon the sinner's back. He shall live, and even though it were a Methusaleh's life, the robe shall be as if it were woven yesterday. He shall pass through the stream of death, and the black stream shall not foul it. He shall climb the hills of heaven, and the angels shall wonder what this whiteness is which the sinner wears, and think that some new star is coming up from earth to thine in heaven. He shall wear it among principalities and powers, and find himself no whit inferior to them all. Cherubic garments and seraphic mantles shall not be so lordly so priestly, so divine, as this robe of righteousness this everlasting perfection which Christ has wrought out, and brought in and given to all his people. Glory unto thee, O Jesus, glory unto thee! Unto thee be hallels for ever; Hallelu—jah! Thou art you—"Jehovah, the Lord our righteousness." It’s truly beautiful, isn’t it?!

Today I encourage us to really think about our identity in Christ and allow this to move us to wholeheartedly pursue and follow the Lord. May this realization capture our hearts so much that we can’t help but live a life that is worthy of wearing this white, untouched robe! :)

To God be the glory!
<3 Shannon

Other Bible References: Psalms 11; 15; 32; 45; 62

“Beauty For Ashes” by Shane and Shane
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DL544f8FmNA