August 5 ▪ Day 217

Scripture Readings

Proverbs 20:23
Deuteronomy 21–22
Romans 15–16
Psalms 33

Verse Focus (Proverbs 20:23)

The LORD detests differing weights,
     and dishonest scales do not please him.

Meditation

Last month we looked at two proverbs in chapter 19 that were nearly identical (Proverbs 19:5 and 19:9; see July 13th – Day 194). Today we get another very similar proverb to one we looked at just eight days ago. Both are from chapter 20. Proverbs 20:10, which we looked at on July 28th (Day 209), says, “Differing weights and differing measures — the LORD detests them both.” Today’s verse focus is Proverbs 20:23, which says, “The LORD detests differing weights, and dishonest scales do not please him.” As the ESV puts Proverbs 20:23, “Unequal weights are an abomination to the LORD, and false scales are not good.”

Indeed, our proverb today is also very similar to Proverbs 11:1, which we looked at on February 12th (Day 43). Proverbs 11:1 says, “The LORD detests dishonest scales, but accurate weights find favor with him.”

I don’t know why I find such repetition peculiar. I think I must assume that — because this is God’s Word — what He says, He’ll only say once. But we’ve seen time and again, that God repeats the things He wants you to pay attention to. Advertisers know that a consumer must hear about a product seven times before it really starts to register with him or her. God know this about us, too, and so the things that are really important get repeated — time and again.

So, once again, we learn that God detests differing weights and dishonest scales. As the ESV translates it, these unequal weights are an abomination to the LORD. We were talking about the word abomination just a couple days ago — unclean food, blemished sacrifices, human sacrifice, divination, interpreting omens, and mediums are all also abominations. So the things that we do to cheat others in the semblance of fairness are particularly loathsome. Abominable.

I think one reason why these differing weights and dishonest scales must be so abominable is because it’s a kind of dishonesty that is somewhat hidden from others. Not from God, of course. But those who cheat via dishonest weights don’t want to be caught — they’d lose all their customers that way! No, they simply want small advantages, incremental if unjust gains. And, as I noted above, the cheating is done in the appearance of fairness. What could be more fair than charging by weight? It appears honest.

So, too, our small crimes must be especially galling to the LORD. Adding a few minutes here and there to your timesheet, or to your account billing. Parking in a handicapped slot without a permit because “it will only be for a few minutes.” Putting the accidentally damaged product back on the shelf for someone else to buy. Lord, have mercy!

Father God, please help us to be honest and forthright in all of our dealings. Keep us from succumbing to the temptation to cheat, just a little, because we think no one will notice or that it won’t really hurt anyone. Let us be people of integrity; may our actions always bring honor to your name. In Jesus’ power, Amen.

Deuteronomy 21 and 22 cover a number of miscellaneous laws. First, Moses speaks about what the Israelites should do when a body is found out in the country — the person has been slain, but no one knows who killed this person. There is still the need to “purge the guilt of innocent blood (v. 9)” from the midst of the Israelites. So there is an offering of a heifer, and the elders of the city nearest to the murdered person will wash their hands over the heifer and disavow any knowledge of the murder. Thus there will be atonement for the people and the land. This ceremony does not include all the people, but the priest and the city elders know about this murder. If nothing else, they may pray for the person who was killed, their family, and for God to deliver justice. It strikes me as a better way of handling things than what our society does — some murders are reported on the news, but just as many are never mentioned and only the police investigating the crime even know what has happened. In the Deuteronomy ceremony, the murdered person is seen as part of the community.

Deuteronomy 21 also speaks about the stoning of a rebellious son (v. 21). We talked a little bit about this the other day when we looked at Proverbs 19:18 (July 20th, Day 201), the proverb that speaks about disciplining your children for there is hope. Again, we have that repetitive refrain, “So you shall purge the evil from your midst, and all Israel shall hear, and fear.”

A number of the laws Moses speaks about deal with marital relations. The laws for how a woman captured in war must be treated are surprisingly humane. She is not forced into a sexual relationship immediately. She is given a month to grieve her family. When she does get together with the Israelite man, it is a marriage — she has rights and privileges. If he is later dissatisfied with her, the woman is allowed to go wherever she wants. The man is not allowed to treat her as a slave or sell her.

A man who marries a woman but then claims she was not a virgin will be punished if proof is given that she was indeed a virgin. He is given a large fine to pay, and he is not allowed to divorce his wife “all his days (v. 19).” If, however, no proof of her virginity is found, the woman will be stoned to death.

Adulterers are stoned — both the man and the woman. If a man has sexual relations with a woman betrothed to someone else in a city, they are both to be killed — the man for sleeping with another man’s wife, and the woman because she did not cry for help. But if the same thing happens out in the country, only the man is to be stoned.

If a man has sexual relations with a virgin who is not betrothed (whether it was rape or consensual), he pays a fine to the woman’s father and must marry the woman. Again, the man is never allowed to divorce this wife.

While I understand that these laws are both to discourage wrongdoing and protect the women, I wince at the idea of being forced to marry your rapist with no possibility of divorce. On the one hand, the idea of having to marry a woman and never be allowed to divorce her might stop a man from abusing a young woman. On the other hand, in cases of rape, at least the man has to support the woman for the rest of his life. She is given financial protection, especially when she might otherwise be unmarriageable. But it seems like a very harsh thing. I wish a better solution could have been found.

In Deuteronomy 21:22-23, we have the law that says “a hanged man is cursed by God.” This is the law that Paul cites in Galatians 3:13, when he speaks of Christ Jesus on the cross becoming a curse for us. “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree.” The “on a tree” part is apparently implied in the Hebrew. I always thought of the cross as a metaphorical tree until about a year ago. I saw a picture taken in the Holy Land — it explained that a crucifixion would actually be done on a tree. The crossbar was fixed to a living tree — it wasn’t a post as our images and symbols made me assume.

Deuteronomy 22 makes it against the law to ignore animals or other possessions that have been lost by someone. You are supposed to take care of these things for your brother. Verse 2 makes it clear that your “brother” is any member of the Israelite community, not your literal family member. “If… you do not know who he is,” says verse 2, “you shall bring it [the animal] home to your house, and it shall stay with you until your brother seeks it.” I am very glad that the law makes it clear that you have a responsibility to care for animals whether they are yours or not. And in the cases where the lost thing is a book or a garment — it is still a great kindness to return these items to the one who lost them. These laws are very practical examples of loving our neighbors as ourselves.

As we finish up reading Romans today, there are a number of things we learn about God from these chapters. Of course, we know that He is the “God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (15:6).” This relationship between God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit is the foundation of our faith. The God we relate to is the same God that Jesus prayed to — the same God that Jesus worshiped all his life growing up in Galilee as an Israelite. And this same God is the one we are invited to call “Father.” We are adopted into the family of God.

I especially like what chapter 13, verse 5 teaches us, though. He is “the God of endurance and encouragement.” Wow! These are things we desperately need. Endurance and encouragement. In Jesus, we see how God perseveres. Jesus endured suffering, he endured the cross for our sake. And because he endured, we have encouragement for the path that lies ahead of us. God is also the source of our own endurance, and the source of our encouragement. If you’re struggling, no matter what is making you struggle, just remember that our God is the God of endurance and encouragement.

Paul also says that God is “the God of hope.” Of course, if God is the God of endurance and encouragement, it’s not surprising that He is also the God of hope. Verse 15:13 is one of those gems. “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.” Abounding in hope. Doesn’t that sound wonderful? Isn’t that what you want for your own life?

Once in chapter 15 (v. 33), and once in chapter 16 (v. 20), Paul tells us that God is “the God of peace.” Of course, we know this already. We achieved peace with God through Jesus Christ. But God is the one who desired peace with us. He is the one who made a way possible for us to have peace. And He is the one who gives us peace — freedom from anxiety and fear, freedom from guilt and sin.

There are other things we learn about God through these chapters. Verse 15:8 says that Christ came to demonstrate God’s truthfulness, to show that He keeps His promises. Of course we know of God’s faithfulness, but sometimes we forget to think about His truthfulness. Verse 16:27 says that He is “the only wise God.” God is the only being with true wisdom. He is the only God.

The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. The God of endurance and encouragement. The God of hope. The God of peace. The God of wisdom and truth. The eternal and only God. Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Psalm 33 praises God for His work as Creator. This is another central aspect of who He is. As verse 9 tells us, “For he spoke, and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.” Not only did He create us, but God rules over us. He views the nations, and “fashions the hearts (v. 15)” of all earth’s inhabitants. He watches over those who fear Him. God is “our help and our shield (v. 20).”

Verse 4 tells us, “All his work is done in faithfulness.” All of God’s plans and purposes spring out of His steadfast love. All His actions are a reflection of His mercy and compassion. God’s faithfulness is foundational to who He is. Talk about amazing! Amen, hallelujah!

Father God, thank you for your faithfulness. Thank you for fashioning us, thank you for watching over us. Thank you for your mercy and love, and for sending us Jesus Christ. Thank you that you are the God of hope and peace, the God of endurance and encouragement. Thank you for your Word, and all the things we learn about you as we read your Scriptures. I pray for your favor to rest upon us this day, in Jesus’ name, Amen.