Wicked Balances and Deceitful Weights Micah 6:11

Micah the prophet recorded the words of the LORD to the cities of Samaria and Jerusalem as He beckoned them to “hear the rod” and who had “appointed it”. The LORD addressed those who had “treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked” and He noted particularly those who had “scant” or unjust “measures”. In chapter six and verse eleven of Micah's prophesy, the LORD points out specifically those who had “wicked balances” and “the bag of deceitful weights” where we read:

Shall I count them pure with the wicked balances, and with the bag of deceitful weights?

The verse begins, “Shall I count them pure with the wicked balances,” The LORD begins this verse by asking, “Shall I count them pure” which means “clean, clear and justified” “with the wicked” or “wrong, guilty and unrighteous” “balances” or “scales”. In other words, the LORD rhetorically asks whether they think He should reckon those with altered “scales” as righteous.

The verse goes on to say, “and with the bag of deceitful weights?” The LORD continues His questioning with another example of unrighteous people, “and with the bag” or “purse within which money is kept” “of deceitful” or “fraudulent, deceptive and deceitful” “weights” which literally means “stones or precious stones” and relates to the monetary means of exchange. These wicked business men were using monies which were altered and not worthy of their face value, and therefore were unjust when given to their patrons.

While we meditate upon this verse, we see where the LORD desires to know whether these wicked business people think He should somehow see their unrighteous scales and deceitful moneys as pure, clean and justified. Obviously the answer is “NO”, and as the LORD draws this sort of behavior to their minds, it is a reminder to us that there is nothing in which He does not see. Though at the time these wicked doers thought they were gaining advantage by cheating and stealing from their patrons, they forgot the LORD was watching, He was not counting their actions righteous, and He was soon to bring judgment upon their wicked ways. As we grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ, may He continue to show us ways which are adverse to His, and should we be involved in any wicked commerce, let us put it away before judgment falls upon us.

Next time Micah writes about “rich men”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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