if we are careful to observe … as He has commanded us … that will be our righteousness: Obedience shows that a person is already righteous, a status before God that comes from faith (see 24:13; Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17; 4:1–5; Galatians 3:6–7; see also Genesis 15:6; Ephesians 2:8–9). When other nations saw Israel's commitment to obey the covenant, they could see that Israel was righteous.