v.1-15
For businessman, they are inconsistent with different people.
v.10 Diverse weights and diverse measures—
the LORD abhors both of them.
the LORD abhors both of them.
NET, "the dishonest merchant who has different sets of weights and measures which are used to cheat customers. The Lord hates dishonesty in business transactions."
v.6 Many people profess their loyalty,
but a faithful person—who can find?v.14 “It’s worthless! It’s worthless!” says the buyer,
but when he goes on his way, he boasts.
The word, "heart" calls us to reflect. We can cheat other people and profess/say something which is inconsistent from what is in our heart, but when we come before God no one can say our heart is clean. God knows.
but when he goes on his way, he boasts.
When we come before God,
v.9 Who can say, “I have kept my heart clean;
I am pure from my sin”?The word, "heart" calls us to reflect. We can cheat other people and profess/say something which is inconsistent from what is in our heart, but when we come before God no one can say our heart is clean. God knows.
"Clean" and "pure from sin" give us the picture of faultless and perfection. NET, "“I am pure” is a Levitical term. To claim this purity would be to claim that moral and cultic perfection had been attained and therefore one was acceptable to God in the present condition. Of course, no one can claim this; even if one thought it true, it is impossible to know all that is in the heart as God knows it." Take time today to reflect on this and examine ourselves. Ask God for forgiveness for our inconsistency.
v.16-30
In today's passage, I learned to wait. Time plays a very important role to see things more clearly.
The deceitful person may be very proud of the bread that he has gained through his dishonest mean. The keyword is "afterward," or given it time, they will become useless. NET, "what has been taken by fraud will be worthless and useless and certainly in the way (like food turning into sand and dirt)." Do not admire the evil person.
Again, "in the beginning" contrasts with "in the end." Inheritance money comes without making any effort and it seems to be a good thing at first. But given it time, you will see it is not. NET, "(Inheritance) will not reach its full potential or even remain permanent." In Chinese, we called them 二世祖.
v. 17 Bread gained by deceit tastes sweet to a person,
but afterward his mouth will be filled with gravelThe deceitful person may be very proud of the bread that he has gained through his dishonest mean. The keyword is "afterward," or given it time, they will become useless. NET, "what has been taken by fraud will be worthless and useless and certainly in the way (like food turning into sand and dirt)." Do not admire the evil person.
v.21 An inheritance gained easily in the beginning
will not be blessed in the endAgain, "in the beginning" contrasts with "in the end." Inheritance money comes without making any effort and it seems to be a good thing at first. But given it time, you will see it is not. NET, "(Inheritance) will not reach its full potential or even remain permanent." In Chinese, we called them 二世祖.
My point is, we need to look at things with a longer time perspective. The most important application is this one,
v.22 Do not say, “I will pay back evil!”
Wait for the LORD, so that he may vindicate you.
"Wait for the LORD," when He comes back He will judge the world. Or He will vindicate you before that time. Who can wait? The one who have faith. They know He will. NET, "To “wait” on the LORD requires faith in him, reliance on divine justice, and patience. It means that the wrongs done to a person will have to be endured for a time."
"Wait for the LORD," when He comes back He will judge the world. Or He will vindicate you before that time. Who can wait? The one who have faith. They know He will. NET, "To “wait” on the LORD requires faith in him, reliance on divine justice, and patience. It means that the wrongs done to a person will have to be endured for a time."
Therefore, we do not take revenge in our hand. If you think your spouse is unfair to you have faith and leave it to the LORD. He will vindicate you. If you do not see justice in the world, do not be mad. Justice will prevail. Just wait for the LORD.
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