How does Ezekiel 45:11 reflect God's character in promoting justice and equity? Text in Focus “ ‘The ephah and the bath shall be the same quantity, so that the bath contains one-tenth of a homer and the ephah one-tenth of a homer; their measurement shall be according to the homer.’ ” (Ezekiel 45:11) God’s Demand for Honest Measures • One uniform standard—both the ephah (dry measure) and the bath (liquid measure) must match • Each equals one-tenth of a homer, removing any possibility of manipulation • By fixing the measure to a known reference (the homer), God prevents “creative” accounting that favors the powerful Justice Reflected in Fair Standards • Prevents exploitation: sellers cannot inflate or shrink quantities to gain unfair profit • Protects the vulnerable: buyers—often the poor—receive exactly what they pay for • Builds community trust: trade functions smoothly when everyone knows the scale is righteous Equity Rooted in God’s Character • God is impartial (Deuteronomy 10:17); His standards mirror His nature • He delights in “just weight” (Proverbs 11:1), revealing His hatred of deceit • By legislating equal measures, He shows no one is above His law—king and commoner alike Parallels in Scripture • Leviticus 19:35-36—“You must not use dishonesty in measurements… I am the LORD.” • Deuteronomy 25:13-16—two differing sets of weights are “detestable.” • Micah 6:11—God condemns “short measures.” • Amos 8:4-6—unfaithful merchants “buy the needy for a pair of sandals” by tampering with the ephah. • James 2:1-4—partiality in any form contradicts God’s character. Living the Principle Today • Practice transparent dealings—accurate invoices, honest time sheets, truthful advertising • Advocate for fair regulations—laws that shield workers and consumers from fraud • Examine personal motives—avoid subtle “rounding” or small compromises that erode integrity • Celebrate God’s fairness—trust that His unchanging standards secure justice now and forever |
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