Our Favorite Proverbs: Proverbs 20:10

by David Chadwick

“Unequal weights and unequal measures are both alike an abomination of the Lord.”

Proverbs 20:10

We continue our study through some of our favorite proverbs. I believe that practical wisdom is grossly underrated and undervalued. My hope is that the time we are spending in this book gives you tools for the everyday moments that we encounter.

Don’t underestimate the importance of stewarding our time in this book, as lengthy as it may seem. The book of Proverbs offers so much practical wisdom for areas like parenting, marriage, relationships, employment, and, as you saw yesterday and will see again today, government.

Proverbs 20:10 says, “Unequal weights and unequal measures are both alike an abomination of the Lord.”

Here is another purpose of government: specifically to ensure that equal justice happens before the law. In order for justice to take place, weights and measures must be equal and fair for all. This verse condemns dishonesty and rebukes double standards of any kind. It confirms the fact that justice should be blind and impartial.

Through the ages, people have made unequal weights and measures to make more money, for personal gain, and to advance their selfish agendas. So often, the rich and powerful ones, with evil in their hearts, are the ones overseeing these weights and measures. Therefore, injustice occurs, and the rich become richer while the poor become poorer.

According to today’s verse, this type of inequality is an abomination of the Lord. Do you know what the word “abomination” means? It is something that is “intensely detested and loathed.” Dear friends, this should break our hearts. If something is detested by the Lord, we should hate it too.

Here is the bottom line: God hates the mistreatment of his children. He knows that no society can exist, much less prosper, unless there is justice running through its laws.

Jesus loves justice. We, as his people, should as well. And we should desire having a government that loves justice too.

Psalm 11:7 says, “For the Lord is righteous, he loves justice; the upright will see his face.” When it comes to unequal weights and unequal measures, this should be our prayer. “Arise, Lord, in your anger; rise up against the rage of my enemies. Awake, my God; decree justice” (Psalm 7:6).