Differing Standards

“Differing weights and varying measures—both are detestable to the LORD.”

~Proverbs 20:10

Many of the items they bought and sold were weighed and measured to determine their value—just like today (a bushel of corn, a pound of flour, a gallon of milk). A practice among unscrupulous merchants in that day was to use weights and measurements that were inaccurate. They would shave the weights to make them lighter or add a bit to make them heavier—depending on whether they were buying or selling. If they were sly they got away with it—and gained a little profit. Lying and cheating to make a buck is nothing new. It was been around since time immemorial, and it will continue to plague our race until the Righteous Prince rules our world. But God calls this practice “detestable”—and we don’t much care for it either.

What hypocrites we are! We find the practice of “skimming” evil in the commercial world, but we are guilty of the same sin almost everyday of our lives! How?

Don’t we measure our sins with one standard and measure the sins of others with another? Don’t we call the lies that others tell “whoppers” and the ones we tell “expedient”? If someone else does not pay their taxes we call them a “cheat” but if we don’t we’re “being wise”? If someone else drives over the speed limit they’re “reckless” but if we do so we’re “justifiably in a hurry”? Differing weights and measures!

What did Jesus say?

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you” (Matthew 7:1–2, NKJV).