In our beginning of Proverbs 11, we are introduced to something that is an abomination to the Lord. Solomon speaks of a scale and presents the difference between a bad scale and just weight. There are some concepts here that have not been used in general practice for a while. The use of scales and weights. To help us understand these two things, we have to go to history.

In the past, money was coinage, and valuation was not as exact as we have today. As of writing this, gold is $3,363 an oz. Silver is $37.24 an oz. There are a couple of other metals, but these have been the traditional method of trade, gold and silver. During the times of the Bible, this type of evaluation did not exist. Instead, it was based on weights. This is why we find, throughout the Bible, the weighing out of the gold and silver. We will not go through every single time, but to give an idea we can look at Genesis 23:16; Ezra 8:25-26; Jeremiah 32:10; Matthew 26:15. Was their evaluation of this money? Yes. But as we see, it was a different way of evaluation. It was based on weights. How would they weigh this? Through the scale.

We understand scales, and this scale would be like something we have seen or perhaps used before. The scale would have a base with a post that comes up from the middle vertically. Then at the top would be a tab that marked where dead center would be. Right under that, going horizontally from both sides, the arms would stretch out and on these would be a small hook in which a small plate would be placed, or some other form of weights to be used to measure weight. When someone wanted to weight out the gold or silver, they would put a known weight on one side of the scale, and then add the money on the other side until the scale goes even.

This is how the cheating could take place. The methods varied, but it all sums up to a broken scale. The one who is selling or asking for the money, would do some changes on the scale to make it look like the weight is sound on their side, but then it would require more money to level out the scale. This way they could cheat the other individual out of their money. This is a dishonest scale. It is fraud, cheating, stealing, etc.

In this we find what Solomon says. Dishonest scales are an abomination to the Lord. The basis for this abomination is because it defies the very law and command of God in several ways. First, it is against the law of God. We see this first showing up in Leviticus 19:35-36. This is the honest scales and weights. They knew what things weighed and to put forward the weight and then have it measure out differently is what is condemned and warned against here. For example, if we know a pillow may weigh a pound. And a business is being done and we decide to sell that pillow for one pound of gold. We put the pillow on the scale, and then start applying the gold and find the pillow was required three pounds of gold to even out the scale. This would be a dishonest weight and scale. The second place is Deuteronomy 25:13-16. Second, it defies the other command of God in bearing the truth. We can take a look Exodus 20:16; Exodus 23:1, and finally Deuteronomy 5:20. Third, the warning is in place against having these false weights as we see in Proverbs 20:10, 23. If this is so important to have it mentioned at least four times, it is worth paying attention to.

Here are three points in which we find why this passage is so vital here in Proverbs 11:1. This dishonest scale is not approved by God, but instead, those who have or practice this are an abomination. The word for abomination is that which is a thing that is detestable, or as the Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, the author says this word means "thing of horror". This word is used some 117 times and never is it a good thing. Those who practice this, are willing to deal in false practice with anyone, and put themselves in an opposition to God. God is the one who wants justice and truth.

This is why Proverbs 11:1 ends with the just weight. This truth, justice, and just weights is a delight to God. God Himself judges and weighs the hearts, actions, and behaviors of man in just weights. This means that God judges by just weights. To understand the weight God uses to judge, we must understand the law of God, the nature of God, and finally the holiness and righteousness of God. No one can match the weight of that form of judgment, and therefore, the only way we can be saved and made righteous is through the fulfillment of the law. The only one who can fulfill the law is Jesus, and therefore, it is only through Jesus that anyone can be saved through faith and trust in His finished work on the cross, and His resurrection from the dead. Because of God's nature is that of justice. He is Just as we have and can read in many places through the Scripture, for example Psalm 7:11.

Because of this justice and righteousness, and due to God's call for us to be holy as He is holy, the expectation is for us to be honest and upright in all we do as well. The question is very pointed. Are we being just in all we do? Our actions, motives, thoughts, heart, is it in line with the confession of our faith? As Brethren, we hold this very serious due to our call of Piety in our life. It is, in no small part, a denial of our own confession and testimony, when we actively and purposely ignore what the Bible says we should be and how we should live. May we evaluate our life and entire being to make sure we are walking with honest scales and just weights.