Righteousness exalts a nation, sin degrades it

The title of this short article is a biblical verse from the Book of Proverbs. The Old Testament Book of Proverbs contains thousands of adages or wise sayings, many of which were uttered by the wise monarch of Israel, Solomon. The Hebrew title is ‘Mashal’.   This book has wise sayings or adages that are good for a really happy and blessed life. They are necessary for very practical life to make life happy for all. The main words are ‘righteousness’ and ‘sin’.
In the Bible the concept 'righteousness' relates to ‘justice’. In a practical sense righteousness and justice are the two sides of the same coin.  There are great teachings about these two in the entire Bible. However, we often ignore or disregard the lofty teachings in our practical lives, either collectively or in our individual lives.  We can learn from other passages in the Bible about the unfathomable blessings of righteousness and also the corresponding condemnation or contempt of sin. Proverbs 10 is a very suitable place to use for this. This says, "Blessings crown the head of the righteous, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked. The memory of the righteous will be a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot. The wise in heart accepts commands, but a chattering fool comes to ruin. The man of integrity walks securely, but he who takes a crooked path will be found out. He who winks maliciously causes grief, and a chattering fool comes to ruin. The mouth of a righteous is a fountain of life, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked. Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs. Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks judgement. Wise men store up knowledge, but the mouth of a fool invites ruin. The wealth of the rich is their fortified city, but poverty is the ruin of the poor. The wages of the righteous bring them life, but the income of the wicked brings them punishment” (Proverbs 10:6-16).
Neither a nation’s nor a person’s greatness consists in the amount of material possessions or wealth, of any conquests, or of military force. But it rests on the justice and their rendering of the dues to others, to people and to God. We must be impartial in our dealings with others. God is just: so, if we love God, we also need to be just to others. Justice and righteousness are married to each other. A sinful and unjust life cannot glorify God nor serve others. God wants us to live our lives with humility and justice and love. But these qualities are rare in our world, to be sure. But it is only these that can exalt us and our lives, our nation and people. In our country we need to heed these pristine truths.  There are terrible sins committed by people against people everywhere and in every nation today. Corruption and injustice foil all our strivings for true and lasting progress in any area of our lives. Proverbs 10:2 advises, 'Ill-gotten treasures are of no value, but righteousness delivers from death.’ May our people, our nation and ourselves individually and also collectively do our best to be just and do justly in all our words and deeds with other people. That’s the way to be truly prosperous and honoured for others and for ourselves.
________________________________________
The writer is a Christian Theology teacher and Church leader