Rēad to Read …Again
Daily Reading: Proverbs 19-21
Proverbs 20:10
Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the Lord.
In antiquity (ancient times) weights were used to measure silver or gold in the purchasing process. They did not have money like we understand it today. An unjust merchant would have two weights, one for buying and one for selling. Let’s say that the weight was to weigh one pound according to the imperial standard that is utilized today. If a merchant were buying an item, they would use a weight that had the appearance of a pound, and may even have “1 lb.” engraved on it. But it might in actuality weigh less than a pound. If it was 10% less than a pound, the merchant would basically receive a 10% discount on their purchase. They could pretend to measure out 1 lb. of silver yet really only measure .9 lb.
On the other hand, that same merchant would have a weight that was marked 1 lb. but weighed more than one lb. When selling they would use that measurement, thereby (in our fictitious and exaggerated illustration) they would receive an additional 10% worth of silver or gold. Remember, the merchandise, i.e. wheat, could also be measured by divers weights, thereby doubling the extra profit or discount. The merchant would cheat on measuring out the item purchased, and then cheat again when measuring the amount paid. These were crooked and deceitful merchants. They robbed their unwary customers. This was and is an abomination to the Lord who is the unseen person in every transaction and relationship.
“Measures” would be a standard length of a staff or a rope used like a measuring tape is used today. Think about a gallon of gasoline. When the pump displays that one gallon has been dispersed the buyer expects to receive one gallon. Not 9/10s of a gallon, right? The same for the buyer of land, wheat, corn, grapes, rope, or any other needed item. To the Lord God being deceitful in business is an abomination to Him.
So, what does this teaching have to do with today? Much in every way. Think about judgement. Judging another. It is tempting to use one judgment for ourselves, our family members, or close friends, and another measure for others. We excuse things in our life, yet judge others harshly for doing the same. We might gossip, but if another gossips about us we get offended. We may be curt, but if someone is curt to us, we think them to be mean-spirited or downright rude. We cut off others on the highway, but honk and are agitated when others cut us off. On and on the list could go.
Jesus said during His famous sermon on the mount: Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. Matthew 7:1-2 If we use divers measures to judge others, well that is a bad thing, and will yield unwanted results, guaranteed.
Today’s thought is not about judgment as much as it is about just measures and weights. It takes a very honest person to, for example, treat others as they themselves would like to be treated. Which, it seems that the Lord also dealt with later in the sermon on the mount. Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets. Matthew 7:12 In other words, do business with others the way you want them to do business with you. Use proper weights and measures.
Dr. William T. Howe
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