You shall not have in your bag differing weights, a heavy and a light. You shall not have in your house differing measures, a large and a small. You shall have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure.. (Deuteronomy 25:13-15)
Justice and honesty are crucial for the stability of an individual, a family and a nation. Societies based on truth and justice will stand while others crumble. Injustice, according to Biblical standards, is like cracks in the foundation of a building — the structure may endure for a while but, in a time of stress, it will eventually weaken and implode. In fact, this scenario could happen without warning, engulfing all those who place their confidence in such.
So it is that God tells His people over and again, deal fairly, justly and truthfully with your fellowman because He is watching. As we’ve all been warned most of our life, we might be able to deceive people, but there is no deceiving God. In a time of His choosing, and when it is least expected, He will repay deceit and dishonesty with loss and destruction. On the other hand, those who use a “just weight” will be rewarded with long life in the land God has given them.
For many years I have heard one brother after the other lament the fact that of those who had deceived, cheated and hurt them through the years, most were professed believers. That should never be. We, above all others, should deal justly with our brothers going so far as to prefer them over our own needs. As Paul said, “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another” (Romans 12:10). In other words, the scale should never be tipped in our favor; if anything it should favor our brothers and sisters in the LORD. Remember — He’s watching.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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