Today's reading from the One Year Chronological reading plan is Deuteronomy 21:10-25:19.
According to Nicole's facebook status, she wasn't feeling well yesterday and likely forgot about getting someone else for today's post. So, here I am.
Scripture
Do not have two differing weights in your bag - one heavy, one light. Do not have two differing measures in your house - one large, one small. You must have accurate and honest weights and measures, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you. For the Lord your God detests anyone who does these things, anyone who deals dishonestly. Deuteronomy 25:13-16.
Observation
We must be honest and fair in all our dealings with others.
Application
The literal appliation of this verse is pretty obvious and basic, which doesn't mean it's always easy. We are to honest, truthful and fair. However, this is also a good reminder when dealing with people relationally. Have you ever noticed that you get irritated easily by people you either have a bit of a grudge against, or who have previously done something to "get on your bad side", etc? Two different people could do or say the exact same thing to you, but your reaction may be totally different. Is this being honest? Is this using the same weights or measures? No, it's not. I am definitely guilty of this. I think we all are, as it's definitely natural to give someone we really like/respect the benefit of the doubt, or to go easier on them, or not to jump to conclusions. However, we're not so quick so give that same benefit to those we don't really click with. I am not referring to being cautious or less trusting around people who have hurt you before - forgiveness doesn't mean that you have to trust that person again (often that would be unwise) or that you have to be best friends. But we do need to be careful not to use different weights in our relationships.
Prayer
Lord, help us to be fair and honest in regards to lending and borrowing, and judging guilt or innocence. Help us also to be fair and honest in our relationships with those around us. Lord, we thank you that you do not use differing weights or measures in Your relationship with us, and that we always know what Your expectations of us are, what You have defined as right and wrong. Help us to be that dependable, that fair, that honest, that unchanging with all the people in our lives.
Tomorrow's passage: Deuteronomy 26:1-29:1
3 comments:
Hmmm, that's a good point. I hadn't applied that verse to fairness in the way we respond to situations with different people.
Thank you Tammy! Yes I am not feeling all that good and was so exhausted I went to bed at 7pm and totally forgot to let someone know or do it myself!
I thought some of the things in it were odd and some made me laugh actually.
in 21:13 it says they can have 2 wives still, when does God change that to one wife only?
I thought 22v5 was interesting about not wearing one anothers clothing. Just this week we had a person apply to be gender neutral! It was granted, and then overturned by the Attorney General. He was a man, had a sex change but now identified as nothing...
I felt sorry for women in 22:29, this poor girl who was raped would have to stay married to the man who raped her. Doesn't seem that fair.
I thought it was odd in 22v9 that they can't wear linen and wool together? I wonder why?
I like the principal in 24:5 about a mrried man not taking on responsibilities in the first year of marriage, very wise and should be followed in churches today.
I had to laugh at 25:9 that a widow can slap the man's face with a sandle and spit in his face.
22:5 The world now is certainly not obeying this verse! And as Nic alluded to, it's not really about clothes, it's about reversing sexual roles. God had a purpose in making us uniquely male and female.
22:9 I agree that it seems cruel. But my guess is, that this was actually for the benefit of the woman. I'm pretty sure that in that day, if she had been raped no man would want to marry her, which would leave her with no one to protect or provide for her.
22:11 My study bible has a comment about this, saying that two different kinds of thread wear unevenly and wash differently, combining them reduced the life of the garment.
I like 24:5 too! :)
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