A Sinful Diversity

(Proverbs 20:10 KJV)  Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.

Although this appeared a concrete, literal example, I couldn’t help but feel that the condemnation of “divers" (differing NASB) (68/374) has some figurative applications also.  Then I notice that the Hebrew does not clearly have this word.  What goes on here?  If you have a reference Bible, look at the marginal notes.  In the Hebrew this is literally “a stone and a stone”.

Ancient grocery stores weighed their organic veggies with a balance type scale.  You would put what you were buying on one side and add weights on the other to find out how much you were getting.  This would determine the price.  Some dishonest merchants had different sets of weights.  One might be honest.  One might be for buying.  One might be for selling.  Some merchants would use whichever gave them the most profit and would cheat the customer.

This is a statement about business ethics.  The basic idea is to give fair value.  Failure to do so is “abominable” (8441).  It is interesting the list of things that are abominable to the Lord.

So?  You aren’t a green grocer?  I guess the question is, “Do you give fair value in your life?”  Followers of Jesus are called to walk to a righteous path.  Cheating is not righteous, it is sinful.  Glorify God, even when you don’t think you will get caught.