The Just Man Delineated
W. Jones Ezekiel 18:5-9 But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right,… But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right, etc. I. THE CHARACTER MENTIONED. "If a man be just," or righteous. This justness or righteousness is not merely a state of correct opinion; or of becoming feeling on moral questions; or of religious profession (Matthew 7:21). It is a condition of character. The just man "is marked by this, that his settled principles, his customary desire, is to do, not what is pleasant, not what is advantageous to self, but what is right." "Little children, let no man lead you astray: he that doeth righteousness is righteous." II. THE CONDUCT EXHIBITED. The just man "does that which is lawful and right." Certain features of his conduct are here plainly set forth. 1. Complete abstinence from idolatrous practices. "Hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel." The eating upon the mountains refers to the sacrificial feasts in connection with the worship of idols (cf. 1 Corinthians 8:4-10 I:10:7). Idolatry had become so prevalent and popular that certain idols were regarded as belonging to the people of Israel, the chosen people of the Lord Jehovah. But to these the just man pays no deference: he neither seeks their favour nor dreads their displeasure; but he worships God alone. Our idols today are pursuits, possessions, persons, to whom we are ianordinately attached. Anything which we allow as a rival to God for the affection of our heart or the devotion of our life is an idol to us. 2. Scrupulous maintenance of chastity. "Neither hath defiled his neighbour's wife, neither hath come near to a menstruous woman." The just man controls his carnal appetites by his reason and conscience. 3. Careful avoidance of oppression of any kind or degree. (1) Robbery by violence. "Hath spoiled none by violence." (2) Injustice by peaceful means. "And hath not oppressed any, but hath restored to the debtor his pledge. The pledge referred to is some of the necessaries of life, as in Exodus 22:26, "If thou at all take the neighbour's garment to pledge, thou shalt restore it unto him by that the sun goeth down: for that is his only covering, it is 'his garment for his skin: wherein shall he sleep?" (3) Injustice by making a man's poverty the occasion of personal profit. "He hath not given forth upon usury, neither hath taken any increase." "Usury," says the 'Speaker's Commentary, "is the profit exacted for the loan of money, increase that which is taken for goods; both are alike forbidden (Leviticus 25:36; Deuteronomy 23:19). The placing out of capitol at interest for commercial purposes is not taken into consideration at all. The case is that of money lent to a brother in distress, in which no advantage is to be taken, nor profit required." 4. Exercise of practical philanthropy. "Hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment." The just man as delineated by the prophet not only refrains from injuring any one, but also endeavours to help those who need his aid. In the Bible a high estimate is placed upon the exhibition of practical kindness to the poor and needy (cf. Job 31:16-22; Isaiah 58:7; Matthew 25:35, 36, 40). Our Lord reckons and will reward such actions as done unto him. 5. Righteous dealings with men. "That hath withdrawn his hand from iniquity, hath executed true judgment between man and man." The last clause, perhaps, refers to the duties of a judge. But in every capacity and in all his conduct the truly just man endeavors to do what is right and true, and to promote the doing of the same by others. And as Matthew Henry expounds, "If at any time he has been drawn in through inadvertency to that which afterwards has appeared to him to be a wrong thing, he does not persist in it because he has begun it, but withdraws his hand from that which he now perceives to be iniquity." 6. Faithful obedience to God. "Hath walked in my statutes, and hath kept my judgments, to deal truly." The just man renders positive and active compliance with the holy will of God. That will is his rule of action; and he endeavours to be true to it and true to the Author of it. The man whose conduct is thus sketched by the prophet is pronounced a just man, a righteous man. "He is just," not only in profession, but in fact; not only before man, but before God. III. THE DESTINY ASSERTED. "He shall surely live, saith the Lord God" - "live in the fullest and deepest sense of the word." This life is the antithesis of the death predicated of the sinner: "The soul that sinneth, it shall die." The "just shall surely live; .... The just shall live by his faith." The life of truth and righteousness, of kindness towards man and reverence towards God, is already his. And its continuance is promised by God. "He shall surely live," spiritually, progressively, eternally. - W.J. Parallel Verses KJV: But if a man be just, and do that which is lawful and right, WEB: But if a man is just, and does that which is lawful and right,