Posted on 08/20/2019 5:27:36 AM PDT by Pilgrim's Progress
“Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD” (Proverbs 20:10).
Weights as in the weights on a balance scale, measures like yardsticks and rulers. Divers weights, as in different ones; that is, it is not what it is supposed to be. It is an ounce over or an inch off. It is for the purpose of defrauding a man’s customers, in order to profit the merchant unlawfully. We see similar verses in Proverbs 11:1 and 16:11.
The whole thing here in Proverbs 20 seems to break pattern. Solomon’s been talking about judgment, such as verse 8: “Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin.” People at the judgment will try to make that statement, but it will never hold up. This describes the time when people will ask the Lord, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?” (Matthew 7:22). The only thing they will hear from the Lord’s lips will be, “Depart from me, ye that work iniquity . . . I never knew you.”
And then he speaks about “divers weights, and divers measures,” which may be one thing that will brought up at the judgment about how people used these things to cheat other people. Even more to the point is how many people are relying on their own standard of goodness to presume that they are a Christian. Man’s standard of “good enough” is not equal to God’s standard of “absolute perfection.” Jesus spoke on this when He said, “For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 5:20). In other words, He was saying, “If you can’t do better than the high standard of the scribes and Pharisees, what makes you think you can even reach God’s standard?” People that are trying to “earn” their way into heaven are using “divers weights, and divers measures.”
Let’s read a chapter of Proverbs a day and see what God might have for us. As the Lord leads, share with us what God has shown you in a special way and by His grace let us build up a devotional repository. Let’s keep our knives and forks handy for some daily bread!
If anyone would like to be added to the ping list, please let me know either by post or by p.m.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.