PROF. BEN ONYEUKWU (REV.)
NCE (English); Dip (Computer Studies); ND/HD
(Journalism); Dip, BA (Theology) MA, PhD.
Devotional Text: Lev.
19:35-37
Introduction:
The Scripture “Do not use
dishonest standards when measuring length, weight or quantity. Use honest
scales and honest weights, and honest ephah and an honest hin”… (Lev. 19:35-36)
is a citation of justice in weight and measurement, as commanded in the Law of
Moses. In his Bible commentary, Matthew Henry opines that God intends that
there should be no cheat in them, (vs. 35), and so, they should be very exact,
(vs. 36). However, in weighing and measuring, people often pretend a design to
give everyone their own, but if the weights and measures are false, it is like
a corruption in judgment, and thus, to deceive a man to his damage, is worse
than picking his pocket or robbing him on the highway.
GENERAL REMARKS
(1)
The cited Scripture
shows that in measuring of the length, there should be standard, (Lev. 19:35)
(2)
The same Scripture,
also shows that in measuring weight or quantity,
there should equally be standard, (vs. 35)
(3)
This implies
that one who sells is bound to give the full of the commodity (vs. 36)
(4)
And, one who
buys is equally bound to pay the full price agreed upon, (vs. 36)
STANDARD MEASUREMENT AND
MEASURING IN LENGTH
In
this section of the lesson, the focus is on businesses or transactions, which
measure their commodities or products in units of length (which mathematically
is a distance between the two ends of a line segment), with such instruments
like; tape, rule yardstick and more, as well as show units of measured items in
inches, feet, yards, meters or cubits. Businesses that produce or sale electric
cables, clothing, land, paper and a host of others are hereby cited. According
to the Scripture, those involved in such businesses or those who transact
privately with clients or customers are tasked to be exact in measuring units
of items for sale or risk offending God, with its devastating
consequences, (Lev. 19:35-37). Having stressed the above, please, carefully
observe that God says:
(i)
No, to
dishonest measurement, (vs. 35)
(ii)
Yes to honest
measurement, (vs. 36)
(iii)
We should
keep all His decrees and laws and follow them, (vs. 37)
STANDARD MEASUREMENT AND
MEASURING IN WEIGHT OR QUANTITY
The attention in this unit of the lesson is
on those whose businesses or transactions are exchanged in weight (a system of
unit used to express the weight of something) or quantity (the amount or number
of something, especially that that can be measured or is fixed, e.g. food,
drink, fuel, oil, water, etc. In these types of businesses or transactions
instruments like, scale pan, standard
cup, fuel pomp, bag, and more are used, to show units of quantity or weight of
items for given prices. And, in these businesses (or transactions), the
principles of God’s Word uphold that no one should defraud his brother, for,
though it be hidden from man, it will certainly be discovered by God, and
accordingly be punished. In this connection, therefore, it becomes imperative
to note that:
(i)
Those who
have respect for all His commandments are never put to shame, (Psalm 119:6)
(ii)
We must make
our hearts and conscience obey God’s commandments as well as not
work in worldly wisdom (2 Cor. 1:12), which is
deceit, (James 3: 13-15).
(iii)
We are
uncompromisingly called upon not to use dishonest measurement, (Lev. 19:35)
DISHONEST MEASUREMENT AND NEMESIS
Dishonest measurement in business or in any
form of transaction certainly results in nemesis, which is a punishment or
defeat that is deserved and cannot be avoided, and God frowns at dishonest
measurement, and in turn brings ruins on such businesses and their operatives,
where they fails to repent and turn a new leaf. In another definition, the
Cambridge Advanced Learner’s Dictionary renders that the nemesis of someone is
a person or thing that is very difficult for them to defeat. This readily
suggests that God can channel someone or group to retributive justice when they
become fraudulent in business, and this explains the reason why, at times,
inexplicable happenings bring certain people and organizations down. By this,
this lesson cites that:
(i)
A poor man’s
field may produce abundant food, but injustice, like dishonest
measurement, (Lev. 19:35) sweeps it away,
(Prov. 13:23)
(ii)
Better is a
little with righteousness, like honest measurement (vs. 36), than
much gain with injustice, (Prov. 16:8)
(iii)
Dishonest
measurement leads to unpleasant happenings on individuals
and
organizations, because God is against it, (Lev. 19:35-37)
In conclusion, let it be noted that dishonest measurement
smacks falsehood that leads to nemesis, while honest measurement shows godly
sincerity which brings one to the point of greater blessing. PLEASE, DO THE RIGHT THING!
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