Differing weights and differing measures—
the Lord detests them both.
11 Even small children are known by their actions,
so is their conduct really pure and upright?
12 Ears that hear and eyes that see—
the Lord has made them both.
Do You See What God Sees?
People are sneaky. They can communicate a different ‘reality’ from reality. The idea of dishonest scales is repeated in scripture because it was a strong temptation for a financially astute nation to shave a little more off the edges through corruption. In many cases, like the notorious tax collectors of the New Testament, the corruption was known. In some carefully laid out plans, a person could appear honest and upright but be secretly deceptive. It is easy to keep a little for ourselves if we really want to. We can alleviate guilt by telling ourselves it is justice that we get a little more ‘appreciation’. Dishonesty is dishonesty. God calls it as he sees it, not how we do. The result is that we live in a kind of hell, separated from God when we embrace deception.
Questions
- What two things does the LORD detest?
- How is being young not an excuse for immoral and unethical choices?
- Why are people of every age known more for what they do rather than what they say?
- Why do people today often talk a different life than they act?
- How can the internal life of the heart and the external world of actions be harmonized in your life?
Plymothian 