Topical Bible: Righteous: Good Fish

◄ 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 the Good-Pleasure of God Takes ...
... is a river in Boeotia wherein the fish appear golden ... love God's will in consolations
is a good love when ... mouth of God that Job was just, righteous, fearing God ...
/.../francis/treatise on the love of god/chapter ii that the union.htm

Judging, Asking, and Giving
... But a more righteous tribunal than that of his victims condemns him ... mingled with
our bread, nor any serpents among the fish. He gives good, and nothing but good ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture a/judging asking and giving.htm

Practical Righteousness
... tools than an oyster-shell and a sharp fish-bone, which ... streak or twist baffles our
effort to make ourselves righteous. ... is not that there is no good in anybody ...
/.../expositions of holy scripture ephesians peter/practical righteousness.htm

The Worst Things Work for Good to the Godly
... a cunning angler casts in his angle when the fish will bite ... "Light is sown for the
righteous" (Psalm 97 ... These desertions work for good, as they will make heaven ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/a divine cordial/the worst things work for.htm

Good Earnests of Great Success
... tail should understand, and that the fish-wife should ... Christianity, which is only
half as good as nothing ... in immorality, or have been self-righteous, which is ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 14 1868/good earnests of great success.htm

Letter Xlvi (Circa AD 1125) to Guigues, the Prior, and to the ...
... the law was not made for the righteous; that is ... to bring together from every kind
of fish, at length ... to the shore, shall retain only the good, rejecting the bad ...
/.../some letters of saint bernard abbot of clairvaux/letter xlvi circa a d 1125.htm

Psalm XCII.
... the fisherman hath not drawn his hook: the fish hath as ... wicked: and the crowning
of all the good: dost thou ... as the grass: hear also of the righteous: "For lo ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm xcii.htm

Putting God to Work
... There were not ten righteous people in that large population ... which the graces, the
salvation and the good of God ... sent him to Nineveh prepares a fish to swallow ...
//christianbookshelf.org/bounds/the weapon of prayer/ii putting god to work.htm

Development of the Ideas of Jesus Respecting the Kingdom of God.
... do not that which they command others to do; the righteous are persecuted ... be as the
casting of a great net, which gathers both good and bad fish; the good ...
/.../renan/the life of jesus/chapter vii development of the.htm

Of the Liberty Proper to Man's Nature, and the Servitude ...
... them," He says, "have dominion over the fish of the sea ... slave" in any part of Scripture
until righteous Noah branded ... the lowly position does as much good to the ...
/.../augustine/city of god/chapter 15 of the liberty proper.htm