Bridges on Proverbs 11:1
 
 
Charles Bridges on Proverbs 11:1
 
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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.)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
In many shops in Palestine now, the only weights in the balance are smooth stones. — Narrative of the Scottish Mission to the Jews. Saphet, p. 274. Compare chapter 16:11, margin.
 
 
Proverbs 16:11
11 ¶ A just weight and balance are the LORD'S: all the weights of the bag are his work. {the weights: Heb. the stones}
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 20:14
14 ¶ It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Leviticus 19:36
36 Just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin, shall ye have: I am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt. {weights: Heb. stones}
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Matthew 7:12
12 ¶ Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets.
 
Philippians 4:8
8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. {honest: or, venerable}
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Luke 16:8
8 And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely: for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 20:10
10 ¶ Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD. {Divers weights: Heb. A stone and a stone} {divers measures: Heb. an ephah and an ephah}
 
Deuteronomy 25:13-16
13 ¶ Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers weights, a great and a small. {divers...: Heb. a stone and a stone} 14 Thou shalt not have in thine house divers measures, a great and a small. {divers...: Heb. an ephah and an ephah} 15 But thou shalt have a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure shalt thou have: that thy days may be lengthened in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. 16 For all that do such things, and all that do unrighteously, are an abomination unto the LORD thy God.
 
Amos 8:5
5 Saying, When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn? and the sabbath, that we may set forth wheat, making the ephah small, and the shekel great, and falsifying the balances by deceit? {new...: or, month} {set...: Heb. open} {falsifying...: Heb. perverting the balances of deceit}
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Footnote:
Jermin in loco.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Proverbs 16:11
11 ¶ A just weight and balance are the LORD'S: all the weights of the bag are his work. {the weights: Heb. the stones}
 
Proverbs 12:22
22 ¶ Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 Thessalonians 4:6
6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. {defraud: or, oppress, or, overreach} {in...: or, in the matter}
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1 Corinthians 6:8
8 Nay, ye do wrong, and defraud, and that your brethren.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Psalm 66:18
18 If I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear me:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Acts 24:16
16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Psalm 11:7
7 For the righteous LORD loveth righteousness; his countenance doth behold the upright.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Psalm 15:1, 2
1 ¶ {A Psalm of David.} LORD, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? who shall dwell in thy holy hill? {abide: Heb. sojourn} 2 He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart.
 
Psalm 24:3-5
3 ¶ Who shall ascend into the hill of the LORD? or who shall stand in his holy place? 4 He that hath clean hands, and a pure heart; who hath not lifted up his soul unto vanity, nor sworn deceitfully. {He...: Heb. The clean of hands} 5 He shall receive the blessing from the LORD, and righteousness from the God of his salvation.
 
Psalm 140:13
13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence.