Practical godliness.
"As a nation that did righteousness." No word occurs oftener in the Bible than this word "righteousness." It is the granite foundations of God's government. "Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?" And it is this which is the salt of a nation. "Righteousness exalteth a nation." There may be much sentimentality in human beings without the cardinal virtues; but, wanting these, all else is meretricious and hollow.
I. THE GLORY OF ISRAEL. They were not a large nation, nor were they in the strict sense a military people. But they had this high vantage-ground of influence—the God-given laws of Sinai, and the prophets of the Lord of hosts to counsel and reprove them. But their glory was not simply that they had the Law, or knew the Law, but that they did righteousness. And this was their true guerdon. Whilst they so lived they were safe, honoured, and happy. Their fall was from within. The armies of Rome only overthrew them because the nation's heart was corrupt. The rotten fruit drops—the storm only expedites its fall.
II. THE GLORY OF ANY NATION. This, and this alone, is glory. Not vast fleets and imposing armies, not a full exchequer and extensive colonies, but righteousness.
1. Equity in jurisprudence.
2. Honour in trade.
3. Justice to all and for all.
4. Purity in morals, or a right government of the passions.
5. Fairness to all other nations.—W.M.S.