And because he put his trust in YHWH, He reckoned it to his merit. Genesis 15:6 (JPS translation)

To – Yesterday we looked at the passage in Deuteronomy that suggests our meritorious deeds matter.  We discovered that tsedaqah (righteousness) is a very old expression of God’s accounting.  But one further point must be made.  In Genesis 15:6, the paradigm example of righteousness, the Hebrew text actually says, “He (YHWH) counted it to him for (or as) righteousness” (lo tsedaqah).[1] What else can we say about this Hebrew construction?

First, we must note that this verse may be a narrative explanation within the text of the story.  In other words, it’s like an aside, a comment that Moses, the author, puts into the story in order to explain to his readers what is happening.

Second, the verbal form of ‘aman (to trust) indicates that this is not a one-time act.  It is rather a summary of Abraham’s continual lifestyle.  It is an action that is repeated over and over again.  Abraham faithfully demonstrates a life of trust (compare Genesis 12:1-4, 7; 13:14-18).

Third, the text indicates that God assessed Abraham’s continual trust as righteousness.  Nahum Sarna says, “Abram’s act of faith made him worthy of God’s reward, which is secured through the covenant.” [2] Sarna cites other verses that confirm this interpretation.[3]

How does Moses recall the faithfulness of Abraham in this context?  Read verses 1-5.  The entire event surrounds the lack of an heir.  God asks Abraham to please (the particle na) look up at the heavens and rely on God’s promise.  Abraham does.  It is Abraham’s demonstration of trust that God considers the equivalent of tsedaqah.  God’s counts it for righteousness.  God credits this as merit.  Abraham wasn’t a Boy Scout.  He didn’t have a list of tasks to perform in order to achieve the merit badge of faith, but God have it to him anyway, on the basis of Abraham’s trust in God’s promise.  At those moments when Abraham was asked to fix his life on God’s words, Abraham responded.  God considered this worthy and called it tsedaqah.

All of us can follow Abraham.  We can choose to trust God’s promise.  In fact, He asks us to do so.  We can determine to live our lives on the basis of His words.  When we do, we merit tsedaqah.  It’s not that we have the list of tasks to accomplish so that we can say, “Look, God.  I did everything You told me to do.  Now I deserve tsedaqah.”  No, it’s more like the case of a continual and repeated behavior to put our lives under His care, according to His purposes and timing.  When we do this, we are like Abraham.  God sees our efforts as worthy and counts us righteous.

Does that mean we don’t need forgiveness?  Does that mean we don’t need to rely on a savior, a rescuer?  Of course not!  Do you suppose that your decisions to trust God compel Him to give you righteous status?  The merit credited to you is merit that comes from God, not from you.  Paul saw the difference.  That’s why he loved this verse.  Do you see it too?

John Stott said something critically important for those of us who are trying to understand.  “The hallmark of an authentic evangelicalism is not the uncritical repetition of old traditions but the willingness to submit every tradition, however ancient, to fresh biblical scrutiny and, if necessary, reform.”

Topical Index:  Genesis 15:6, lo, righteousness, merit, tsedaqah, Nehemiah 9:7-8, Psalm 106:30, Numbers 25:6-13

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[1] For a technical discussion of the Hebrew preposition lo, see this.

[2] Nahum Sarna, The JPS Torah Commentary: Genesis, p. 113.

[3] Cf. Nehemiah 9:7-8, Psalm 196:30f. Numbers 25:6-13.