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1. A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight. {A false...: Heb. Balances of deceit} {just...: Heb. perfect stone†}
HOW valuable is the Book of God in its minute detail of principles for every day’s conduct! Commerce is a Providential appointment for our social intercourse and mutual helpfulness. It is grounded with men upon human faith, as with God upon Divine faith. Balances, weights, money, are its necessary materials. Impositions; double-dealings; the hard bargain struck with self-complacent shrewdness (Chapter 20:14) — this is the false balance forbidden alike by the law (Leviticus 19:36) and the gospel. (Matthew 7:12. Philippians 4:8.) Men may “commend its wisdom” (Luke 16:8); God not only forbids, but he abominates it. (Chapter 20:10. Deuteronomy 25:13-16. Amos 8:5.) The just weight often passes unnoticed. But such a perfect stone is a perfect jewel, and a precious stone in the sight of God.† It is his delight (Chapter 16:11; 12:22) — a testimony infinitely above all human praise!
We must not put away this proverb as a mere moral maxim. It was given as a warning to a flourishing Christian Church (1 Thessalonians 4:6); and the sin here reprobated has been a leprous spot upon many a highly-gifted professor. (1 Corinthians 6:8.) Is it not a solemn thought, that the eye of God marks all our common dealings of life, either as an abomination or a delight? Have we never found, when upon our knees, the frown of God upon some breach in our daily walk? (Psalm 66:18.) Look and see, whether the “conscience has been void of offense towards man.” (Acts 24:16.) “The righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.” (Psalm 11:7.) They — they only — “shall dwell in his presence.” (Ib. 15:1, 2; 24:3-5; 140:13.)
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