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◄ Righteous: Good Fish►

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Topical Encyclopedia

In the biblical context, the term "righteous" often refers to those who are in right standing with God, living according to His commandments and principles. The metaphor of "good fish" is notably used in the New Testament to illustrate the separation of the righteous from the wicked at the end of the age.

Parable of the Net

The primary scriptural reference for the concept of "good fish" is found in the Parable of the Net, as recorded in the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus uses this parable to describe the kingdom of heaven and the final judgment:

"Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was cast into the sea and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the men pulled it ashore. Then they sat down and sorted the good fish into containers, but threw the bad away. So will it be at the end of the age: The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous, and throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth." (Matthew 13:47-50)

In this parable, the "good fish" symbolize the righteous—those who have accepted the message of the kingdom and live in accordance with God's will. The sorting process represents the final judgment, where the righteous are gathered into God's eternal kingdom, while the wicked face eternal separation from God.

Characteristics of the Righteous

The Bible provides numerous characteristics of the righteous, which align with the metaphor of the "good fish." These include:

1.Faithfulness: The righteous live by faith, trusting in God's promises and His plan for salvation. "The righteous will live by faith." (Romans 1:17)

2.Obedience: They adhere to God's commandments and strive to live a life pleasing to Him. "Blessed are those who keep His testimonies and seek Him with all their heart." (Psalm 119:2)

3.Integrity: The righteous are marked by honesty and moral uprightness. "The integrity of the upright guides them, but the perversity of the faithless destroys them." (Proverbs 11:3)

4.Compassion: They show love and kindness to others, reflecting God's love. "He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?" (Micah 6:8)

5.Perseverance: The righteous endure trials and remain steadfast in their faith. "Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him." (James 1:12)

Eschatological Implications

The imagery of the "good fish" in the Parable of the Net carries eschatological significance, emphasizing the reality of the final judgment and the ultimate destiny of humanity. The righteous, represented by the good fish, are assured of their place in God's eternal kingdom. This assurance is rooted in their faith in Jesus Christ and their commitment to living according to His teachings.

The parable serves as a call to self-examination and repentance, urging individuals to align themselves with God's will and become part of the "good fish" who will be gathered into His eternal presence.

Nave's Topical Index

Matthew 13:48
Which, when it was full, they drew to shore, and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

That the Union of Our Will with theGood-Pleasure of God Takes...
... is a river in Boeotia wherein thefish appear golden... love God's will in consolations
is agood love when... mouth of God that Job was just,righteous, fearing God...

Judging, Asking, and Giving
... But a morerighteous tribunal than that of his victims condemns him... mingled with
our bread, nor any serpents among thefish. He givesgood, and nothing butgood...

Practical Righteousness
... tools than an oyster-shell and a sharpfish-bone, which... streak or twist baffles our
effort to make ourselvesrighteous.... is not that there is nogood in anybody...

The Worst Things Work forGood to the Godly
... a cunning angler casts in his angle when thefish will bite... "Light is sown for the
righteous" (Psalm 97... These desertions work forgood, as they will make heaven...

Good Earnests of Great Success
... tail should understand, and that thefish-wife should... Christianity, which is only
half asgood as nothing... in immorality, or have been self-righteous, which is...

Letter Xlvi (Circa AD 1125) to Guigues, the Prior, and to the...
... the law was not made for therighteous; that is... to bring together from every kind
offish, at length... to the shore, shall retain only thegood, rejecting the bad...

Psalm XCII.
... the fisherman hath not drawn his hook: thefish hath as... wicked: and the crowning
of all thegood: dost thou... as the grass: hear also of therighteous: "For lo...

Putting God to Work
... There were not tenrighteous people in that large population... which the graces, the
salvation and thegood of God... sent him to Nineveh prepares afish to swallow...

Development of the Ideas of Jesus Respecting the Kingdom of God.
... do not that which they command others to do; therighteous are persecuted... be as the
casting of a great net, which gathers bothgood and badfish; thegood...

Of the Liberty Proper to Man's Nature, and the Servitude...
... them," He says, "have dominion over thefish of the sea... slave" in any part of Scripture
untilrighteous Noah branded... the lowly position does as muchgood to the...