Introduction:
Balances, also known as scales, are instruments used for determining the weight of objects. In biblical times, balances were essential for trade, commerce, and various daily activities. The Bible frequently references balances, often symbolizing justice, fairness, and integrity. The use of balances in Scripture underscores the importance of honesty and righteousness in human interactions.

Biblical References:

1. Symbol of Justice and Fairness:
Balances are often used metaphorically in the Bible to represent justice and fairness. Proverbs 11:1 states, "Dishonest scales are an abomination to the LORD, but an accurate weight is His delight." This verse highlights the importance God places on honesty and integrity in business dealings. Similarly, Proverbs 16:11 affirms, "Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are His concern."

2. Condemnation of Dishonesty:
The Bible condemns the use of deceitful balances as a form of injustice. In Micah 6:11, God questions, "Can I excuse dishonest scales or bags of false weights?" This rhetorical question emphasizes God's intolerance for deceit and corruption. The prophet Amos also speaks against the exploitation of the poor through dishonest measures, saying, "You who trample the needy, who do away with the poor of the land, asking, 'When will the New Moon be over that we may sell grain? And the Sabbath, that we may market wheat? We can reduce the ephah, increase the shekel, and cheat with dishonest scales'" (Amos 8:4-5).

3. Balances in Prophetic Imagery:
Balances are used in prophetic imagery to convey messages of judgment and evaluation. In the book of Daniel, Belshazzar's kingdom is weighed and found wanting: "TEKEL means that you have been weighed on the scales and found deficient" (Daniel 5:27). This imagery serves as a divine assessment of moral and spiritual shortcomings.

4. Balances in Daily Life:
In ancient times, balances were a common tool in daily life, used for weighing goods in trade and commerce. Leviticus 19:35-36 instructs, "You must not use dishonest measures of length, weight, or volume. You shall maintain honest scales and weights, an honest ephah and an honest hin. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt." This commandment reflects the necessity of integrity in everyday transactions.

5. Balances in Revelation:
In the New Testament, the book of Revelation uses the imagery of balances in the context of divine judgment and economic distress. Revelation 6:5-6 describes the third seal: "Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, 'A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius, and do not harm the oil and wine.'" The rider on the black horse holds a pair of scales, symbolizing scarcity and the careful measurement of resources during times of tribulation.

Conclusion:
The biblical portrayal of balances underscores the importance of justice, honesty, and integrity in human affairs. Whether in the context of daily commerce or as a metaphor for divine judgment, balances serve as a powerful symbol of God's desire for righteousness and fairness among His people.Job 31:6
Let me be weighed in an even balance that God may know my integrity.
Nave's Topical Index

Isaiah 40:12,15
Who has measured the waters in the hollow of his hand, and meted out heaven with the span, and comprehended the dust of the earth in a measure, and weighed the mountains in scales, and the hills in a balance?
Nave's Topical Index

Ezekiel 5:1
And you, son of man, take you a sharp knife, take you a barber's razor, and cause it to pass on your head and on your beard: then take you balances to weigh, and divide the hair.
Nave's Topical Index

Weighed in the Balances
... told the monarch, if he would only send for one who used to interpret ... the time had
come when he must step into the balances and be ... The weighing was soon over. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/moody/weighed and wanting/weighed in the balances.htm

Unsound Spiritual Trading
... I weigh thee in the balances, and I find thee ... shall inherit the kingdom of God."
Luther used to say ... Lord weigheth the spirits, and what a weighing that shall be ...
/.../spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/unsound spiritual trading.htm

The Priesthood of Christ
... and they derive this opinion from the word aykh used in the ... this subject with greater
diligence, and deliberately weighing it in the equal balances of their ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/oration iv the priesthood of.htm

The Siege. (xxi, xxxii-xxxiv, xxxvii, xxxviii. )
... The terms used are as individual in the one verse as in the ... I subscribed the deed
and sealed it and took witnesses, weighing the money in the balances.11 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/3 the siege xxi xxxii-xxxiv.htm

The Scope of the Apocalypse is Indicated by Its Place in the ...
... seal he is viewed as the Food-controller, weighing out the ... by the figure of the
"pair of balances in his ... This number " here designedly used by the Holy Spirit ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/the scope of the apocalypse.htm

One Thing is Needful;
... good will be weighed in the unerring balances of truth ... Weighing each sin and wickedness
With so much equity, Proportioning ... It is so used in Holy Writ, Isaiah 6 ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/one thing is needful.htm

The Life and Death of Mr. Badman,
... So, in the venerable translation of the holy oracles, there are some objectionable
expressions, which, although formerly used in the politest company, now ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the life and death of.htm

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