Micah 6:10-11
Can I forget any longer the treasures of wickedness in the house of the wicked,
and the scant measure that is accursed?Shall I acquit the man with wicked scales
and with a bag of deceitful weights?
If the proprietor has two bags of weights, one lighter than the other, he can reach for one when selling and one when purchasing. This practice is forbidden by the Law.
You shall have just balances, just weights, a just ephah, and a just hin: I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt.
The proprietor can also use one for certain customers and one for others. This is also forbidden. The scales of justice should work the same for all.
You shall not be partial in judgment. You shall hear the small and the great alike. You shall not be intimidated by anyone, for the judgment is God's. And the case that is too hard for you, you shall bring to me, and I will hear it.’
How do we use differing weights? Do we treat the powerful different from the weak? The rich different from the poor? The beautiful different from the ugly? The theologically correct different from those with a different view? The list goes on to include physical attributes of color and obesity, but also include voluntary activities of tattoos and sexual orientation.
Micah also reminds us of the rod of God.
Hear of the rod and of him who appointed it!
A rod hung on a hook in the kitchen pantry of my childhood home. It was obviously old and has been my grandmothers. It was to punish naughty child, or I was told. To my knowledge it was never used, but it sure sent a message.
In this passage each injustice is met by God's consistent judgement.
Therefore I strike you with a grievous blow, . . .
You shall eat, but not be satisfied, . . .
you shall put away, but not preserve, . . .
You shall sow, but not reap;
you shall tread olives, but not anoint yourselves with oil;
you shall tread grapes, but not drink wine
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death,
I will fear no evil,
for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
In response to evil, we know the God will apply his punishment with absolute justice. He does not show favoritism.
In contrast, imagine a family, a team, a department, a company, or a country, where rules are applied differently. There would indeed be no comfort.
So, in the age of critical race theory and the Woke culture, we must respond by treating people the same. Showing love and ensuring justice for all.
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