Righteousness and justice are the foundation of God’s throne, with steadfast love and faithfulness going before Him (Psalm 89:14). The sermon defines righteousness as the standard of being in right relationship and justice as the actions taken to restore righteousness and prevent injustice, then traces both through Israel’s kings: David administered justice and righteousness for all his people (2 Samuel 8:15), and God warned later kings that failing to do justice and defend the poor would bring desolation on their house (Jeremiah 22:1-5).
The Lord desires this kind of righteousness and justice more than sacrifice (Proverbs 21:3) and calls His people to let justice roll down like waters (Amos 5:24), because His holy covenant protects, preserves, and restores every relationship it touches, with God, with self, with others, and with creation. That pattern climaxes in the Promised Messiah, the righteous Branch who will execute justice and righteousness in the earth and be called “The Lord is our righteousness” (Jeremiah 33:14-16).