Consider the nature of the gods in the ancient near eastern world. The gods were fickle and often amoral. They didn’t care for good behaviour or righteousness at all. In contrast, the Hebrew God “Yahweh” was a radically different type of deity. Not only was Yahweh morally upright, he wanted his people to be righteous also. And through the righteousness of his people Yahweh intended to reach the world. When Yahweh’s people thwarted justice and undermined righteousness, they violated the very nature of their identity and covenant with God.