Journal Prov 11 (all references are from the ESV unless noted otherwise; changes in punctuation are mine)
Scripture: “A false balance is an abomination to the Lord, but a just weight is his delight.” Prov 11:1
Observation: Sometimes a proverb lends itself to being read into, the message that underlies the text…
Analysis: On the surface this proverb seems to be about financial transactions, making sure that transactions/contracts are on the straight and level. No argument here. Cheating is an abomination to God. This scripture comes to my immediate mind: “…in whose eyes a vile person is despised, but who honors those who fear the LORD; who swears to his own hurt and does not change.” (Ps 15:4)
However, it occurs to me there is another understanding to be considered, and that is how people understand God.
Perhaps this proverb could be comprehended as “A false UNDERSTANDING is an abomination, but a JUST understanding is his delight.” Let me be clear, this may be a stretch, but it seems, repeat, seems right.
We live in a world where God is interpreted in many ways, to be many things—according to what is their desire a god to be—a god of their own construction.
But, the God of Adam, of Noah, of Abraham, of Moses, of David and so many more declares Himself what He is in his self-testimony, what we know as the Holy Bible. He came to be flesh and blood in Jesus and is the EXACT representation of His Glory (Heb 1:2-3a):
“…but in these last days He has spoken to us by His Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom He created the world. He is the radiance of the glory of God and the EXACT imprint of His nature, and He (Jesus) upholds the universe by the word of his power.”
Unbelievers are invariably drawn to make gods of their own desire and imagination by their sinful nature (c. Gen 3:4-5).
So, what of believers? Are they susceptible to this same urge? Without a doubt. Why is that?
And I go back to the Prov 11:1 reference; the “weights” that are employed in a just balance is the testimony inherent in the Word of God. If this is not diligently pursued by a believer or stopped when satisfied at a certain level of comfort (for instance, “God is Love; I don’t need to know more than that…”), when a believer doesn’t pursue all knowledge of God found in the Scriptures, then do I become an abomination? For me, I must consider, “Maybe, maybe I do.”
Study isn’t just accumulating scripture references to memory. As disciples move from elementary things to more complex learning (like from elementary school to middle to high school and adult experiences) God calls us from simple memorization to complex biblical understanding of Him, integrating all that we are learning to seek His Face with fierce intent.
Prayer: Father, I write boldly, knowing that I am still on your doorstep, knocking to come into a more thorough knowledge of you, to worship in your presence with all my body and soul, to understand the Gospel more and more, to learn what it is to fear You and love you at the same time with full intensity.
Help me to speak clearly of you. Thank you for this forum so that at the very least, I can speak to the face in the mirror.
Amen.
Ricky Two Shoes