What’s Justice Got to Do with It?

“A just balance and scales are the Lord’s; all the weights in the bag are his work” (Prov 16:11).

Merchants of the ancient world carried a bag of weights with which to measure out their products by counterbalance. A dishonest merchant carried cheat weights to swindle his customers, especially the poor. Solomon knew of this abomination, and speaks of it elsewhere (Prov 11:1), as does the Law (Lev 19:35) and the Prophets (Mic 6:11). Just weights, on the other hand, were carried by honest merchants. They are pleasing to the Lord.

But this proverb isn’t really talking about merchants. It’s talking about God. The merchant is, in this case, a reflection of the Maker who tests all things by his weights. In other words, God is constantly ruling every realm with exquisite balance and justice. The merchant’s bag gave him the flexibility to weigh large portions or small amounts. Just so, the living God is as fair and balanced in the small happenings of life as he is in great matters. He weighs all things well.

Let’s send this right home. God has never swindled you. He has been generous and good to you, tipping the scales of blessing in your favor. He will do all things well. Trust him! Justice is his right to render even as it is his delight to love. So let’s do some justice of our own and give him thanks. Let’s honor his promises with our faith. And let’s administer justice everywhere, using God’s weights in all we do.