On what was godly character based in Israel? How did an Israelite know when he or she exhibited godly character? Today some quickly would conclude that Israel's sacrificial worship confirmed godly character. Some might conclude [prior to Jesus Christ] Israel demonstrated godly character through faithful worship. They came to the "place where God caused His name to dwell" (Deuteronomy 12:11) with their appropriate sacrifices on the appointed occasions. They observed the Sabbaths in appropriate ways. They gave the firstborn of everything to God. And, without fail, they tithed. Some might conclude that through these things an Israelite demonstrated godly character.
Today the tendency is to base character and integrity on acts of worship or on acts of obedience.
In no way does this lesson suggest an Israelite of godly character failed to obediently worship God. However, this lesson does call attention to a truth the Israelite of godly character understood. In fact, godly Israelites more likely understood this truth than many who seek Christ today.
The purpose of today's lesson is to place biblical emphasis on the nature of character and integrity in Old Testament Israel. Always, in every age and generation, the godly person worshipped, and the godly person obeyed. While the person of godly character and integrity worshipped and obeyed, the basis of godly character and integrity was not and is not defined by acts of worship and acts of obedience. While the qualities producing godly character and integrity are compatible with acts of worship, both qualities are also independent.
Today's concept of godliness tends to focus on public worship. Today's concept of godliness tends to affirm its existence by what occurs in a church building. Today's concept of godliness tends to express itself in public acts of worship. In today's concepts, when one affirms godliness, he or she is assumed to be a person of character. While that is a common concept today, it was not the understanding of the Israelite devoted to godly character.
It is too easy to superimpose today's concepts held by American Christians on the thinking of Old Testament people. Not only is this simply done, it also is conveniently done. The godly in Old Testament Israel understood the foundation of godliness was not based on worship practices. Consider Deuteronomy 10:12, Psalm 24:3-6, and Micah 6:8. The godly person worshipped, but godliness was not defined by correct worship practices.
An Israelite of godly character did more than obediently offer sacrificial worship and observe God's ordinances. Godly character welcomed the Israelite who worshipped into the fellowship of God's presence. Emphasized in another way: whom did God want to praise and honor Him in worship? The person of godly character.
God wanted (and wants) people of godly character as worshippers. However, the qualities that made (makes) one's character godly were not and are not defined by worship acts.
Psalm 15 emphasized the importance of godly character in Israel. The psalm began with a question: "Who can live before God?" The likely context: what worshipper is welcomed by God into His presence? The Christian might be surprised at the answer. Again, the emphasis is not on acts of sacrificial worship. The emphasis is not on Israel's worship rituals. The emphasis is not on approved procedures and occasions. The emphasis is on social responsibility.
Godly character and integrity involve seeing and treating people as God sees and treats people.
The Israelite who yearned to live in God's presence, who yearned for his worship acts to be accepted by God was godly in his treatment of others. Daily he behaved in his association with others in these ways: (1) He was a person of integrity. (2) He was trustworthy [devoted to the fair treatment of others]. (3) He spoke truth from the heart. (4) He did not slander. (5) He did not say hurtful things about his friends. (6) He did not respect those who refused to honor God or people. (7) He honored those who reverenced God. (8) When he made a promise that produced hurt to himself, he kept it. (9) He did not make money from interest. His financial security was not produced by the misfortune of others. (10) He would not allow bribery to direct his concern away from the innocent. He realized all these qualities were the building blocks for an enduring life.
Being honorable before God required Israel (and requires us) to treat people honorably.
The first thing that should capture your attention is this: godly character is expressed in the way a person treats others. It is not enough to approach God properly. He or she who approaches God properly treats other people with godly consideration.
Some Christians wrongly conclude that if they worship in the correct ways, they are godly people. The primary expression of godliness is not (and never was) based on what occurs in worship. The primary expression of godliness is found in how a Christian treats other people.
The second thing that should capture your attention are the qualities that produce godly character. The person of godly character has genuine consideration for others. Note his concerns focus on (1) fairness to all; (2) protecting others from unjust thoughts and words; (3) honoring those who honor God; (4) keeping promises; (5) refusing to profit financially from the misery of others; and (6) preserving the dignity of the innocent.
This understanding is critical: it is impossible for us to treat God one way and to treat people in contrasting ways. Godly people cannot be kind and caring with God, but unconcerned and indifferent toward people. Read again Matthew 25:41-46.
Perhaps the depth of an Israelite's commitment to godly character is seen in his commitment to keeping his promises. Keeping one's promise when the result was to his disadvantage requires genuine commitment to godly character. Swearing or taking oaths was the common means in their world for making and confirming agreements. At times a person sealed (signed) an agreement (contract) later to realize his cost for keeping the agreement would be unreasonable. Even so, commitment to godly character meant he would do as he promised. The "deal" would stand. That was the fair, honorable, truthful thing to do. His integrity was more important than his disadvantage. Because of his reputation? Yes. But, more so, because of his relationship with God. One cannot live in God's presence and break his promises.
To be a person of integrity, one must keep his or her promises. One must not live by standards that permit him or her to be faithful in keeping promises made to God and to be unfaithful in keeping promises made to people.
In our American society:
"Good business" too often views people as the means for acquiring money, power, advantage, or opportunity. Selling people things they do not need, selling people inferior products, making distorted claims or promises for what you sell, selling products at prices the exploit the buyer, or others method that deceive people in the name of business use people. Basically, an attempt to exploit people through religion or business to achieve selfish objectives dehumanizes those who were exploited.
Typically "truth from the heart" actively seeks to eliminate deception. "Truth" disassociated from the heart can actually be used to deceive. What is stated is true, but it is presented in a manner that encourages incorrect conclusions.
People are tempted to slander when anger produces resentment. There is no concern for the well being of the other person.
People are tempted to use evil in their interaction with others when they can dehumanize others. When "I" can justify "my" evil acts because the other person "deserves my evil treatment," "I" can use evil in "my" treatment of someone without remorse--even with pleasure. The recipient of "my" evil "deserves what he (she) gets!" To do evil to another "I" must minimize his (her) humanity.
"I" can speak ill of a friend when "I" regard "my" friend as less important than "myself."
Notice in each situation, the dehumanization process is essential to the act. All forms of abusiveness of other people begin with seeing those people as inferiors who deserve to be exploited.
It is never natural, desirable, or convenient to treat with honor those who feel no sense of honor toward God or people. Human nature [our own or someone else's] does not encourage us to honor those who do not honor God. Divine nature and our relationship with divine nature challenges us to honor those who do not honor God.
We can easily feel justification in ignoring agreements when we feel used or exploited.
Allow class members to express their views. Be certain to help people keep a clear understanding between providing a service to others and exploiting them. Certainly, people may be exploited through a service being provided. However, extending the service is rarely an automatic attempt to exploit.
Greed, the hunger for power, or negative emotions become primary motivations. As primary motivations, they [individually or collectively] obscure the humanity and rightful concerns of the innocent. The innocent become "things to be used as a means to an end" rather than people to be respected.
Discussion question:
What qualities must govern the Christian man or woman who is committed to being a person of godly character?
Fairness, kindness, consideration, goodness, mercy, forgiveness, humility, and a sense of blessings [consideration] received are among such qualities.
Link to Student Guide
Lesson 4