Deuteronomy 25:13-16 - "You must use accurate scales when you weigh out merchandise, and you must use full and honest measures. Yes, use honest weights and measures, so that you will enjoy a long life in the land the LORD your God is giving you. Those who cheat with dishonest weights and measures are detestable to the LORD your God.
There were so many things Moses had observed over the 40 years he had led them through the wilderness…so he allowed God to form his last words into short bursts of random ways to please God in all that we do. He must have seen some problems with honesty…for God allowed Moses to speak these words about the accuracy we must use when buying and selling….to remind them of his previous words in Leviticus 19:35-36.
I don’t think God is talking just about the scales we use to measure our deli purchases here…the concept of honesty stretches far past a simple purchase at our local store. We are called to be honest…when dealing with other people…no matter what...so Satan cannot come in at a later time and convince us somehow that we deserve more than our fair share.
Dishonesty is hated so by God because it shows a character that does not truly love what God loves. God is fair and just…and always gives us more than we deserve. A man who is accustomed to using false weights and measures to cheat people…sure hasn’t allowed God to change his heart. I guess that is why he got so angry at the money changers that day in the temple. He just couldn’t allow the greed and sin to permeate his house.
The anger of Jesus had such an impact on the disciples that all four gospels record the story…one only has to read Matthew 21:12-13… Mark 11:15-18… Luke 19:45-46… and John 2:13-17. It must have been one of Jesus’ most frustrating moments…to see such greed and dishonesty…to see the people he loved be taken advantage of. His heart was already heavy with emotions…knowing his death was soon…his heart must have ached for us as he realized this was one of the sins he must die for on that cross.
He must have really been happy with those that bought there though….I mean think about it….they all knew that they were being scammed…and they exchanged their money for that pair of doves anyway! They wanted above all things to offer the right sacrifice to God…so they allowed the money changers to be dishonest so that they could please him.
This may be a total stretch…but maybe those of us that pay our taxes without trying to find loopholes and deductions that aren’t quite true…please God because he knows our heart just can’t be dishonest. God loves us no matter what…but he will bless us if we allow the heart he changes by his love to always show others how to be honest in any matter that involves weights or scales or money exchanges.
Father…I thank you for the reminder that I need to be honest. Help me to never allow Satan to trick me into thinking that I deserve anything more than what you have allowed. Let my yes be accountable and always truthful….and let my no be evident when Satan tries to lure me with dishonest thoughts. Show me how to live an honest life…and like Zacchaeus...reveal to me any dishonest dealings I need to make right. Amen.
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