Deu 25:13-16 | MHM | STEP | Deuteronomy 25:13-19: Amalek to Be Destroyed This passage contains two main laws given to Israel. The first is about being honest and fair in business by using correct weights and measures. God wants his people to avoid cheating and to act justly in all their dealings (Deuteronomy 25:13-16 ). The second law commands Israel to remember and punish the nation of Amalek for their cruel attack on Israel after they left Egypt. God instructs Israel to destroy Amalek when they are settled in the promised land (Deuteronomy 25:17-19 ). Both laws show God’s desire for justice, both in everyday life and in dealing with enemies. v. 13-14 : God tells the Israelites not to keep different sets of weights or measures for buying and selling (Deuteronomy 25:13-14 ). They must not have a heavy weight for buying and a light one for selling, because this is a way to cheat people. Even having these dishonest tools in the house is wrong, since it leads to temptation to use them (Amos 8:5 ).

‏ Deuteronomy 25:13-16

Deuteronomy 25:13-19: Amalek to Be Destroyed

This passage contains two main laws given to Israel. The first is about being honest and fair in business by using correct weights and measures. God wants his people to avoid cheating and to act justly in all their dealings (Deuteronomy 25:13-16 ^a). The second law commands Israel to remember and punish the nation of Amalek for their cruel attack on Israel after they left Egypt. God instructs Israel to destroy Amalek when they are settled in the promised land (Deuteronomy 25:17-19 ^b). Both laws show God’s desire for justice, both in everyday life and in dealing with enemies.

v. 13-14: God tells the Israelites not to keep different sets of weights or measures for buying and selling (Deuteronomy 25:13-14 ^c). They must not have a heavy weight for buying and a light one for selling, because this is a way to cheat people. Even having these dishonest tools in the house is wrong, since it leads to temptation to use them (Amos 8:5 ^d).

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v. 15: Instead, God commands them to use honest and fair weights and measures . When the tools used for justice are fair, then business is fair. God promises that if the Israelites are honest, he will bless them with a long life and prosperity. This is similar to laws given earlier (Leviticus 19:35-36 ^e). Doing what is right brings God’s blessing; in other words, “Honesty is the best policy.”

v. 16: God warns that anyone who cheats or acts unfairly is hated by God and brings a curse on themselves . It is not just the act of being dishonest, but also the people who act this way, that are an abomination to the Lord. God greatly dislikes all forms of deceit (Proverbs 11:1; 20:10, 23 ^f). The apostle Paul also teaches that God will punish those who cheat others (1 Thessalonians 4:6 ^g).