by Erik Jones

This verse, through a reference to ancient commerce, teaches us that we are to practice total honesty in all of our personal and business dealings. In the ancient world, much economic exchange was done by weighing out specific amounts of silver or gold or items used for barter.

Dishonest people would cheat others by “diverse” weights and measures. They would use different weights on their scale to underweigh the goods they bought (meaning they would get more than they were supposed to) and overweigh goods they sold (meaning they would give less than they were supposed to).

God considered this type of dishonesty an abomination among the nation of Israel, and He still expects total honesty among His people today. This principle is a practical application of the Eighth Commandment (not to steal) and the Ninth Commandment (not to lie). Israel was to have “a perfect and just weight, a perfect and just measure” (Deuteronomy 25:15).

Though we don’t typically rely on weights and measures in our personal economic exchange, we should always strive to practice godly ethics and integrity in all our dealings with other people and to treat others the way we want to be treated ourselves (Luke 6:31).

To study more about the integrity God expects in our dealings with others, read “Lying vs. Telling the Truth.”