Weight – All Depends on Who’s Scale

Early scales were balance scales, consisting of a beam with a pivot point and two pans hanging from each end. Objects were placed on one pan and weights on the other until the two pans balanced, indicating that the weights were equal. The earliest known center-beam scales were used by Egyptians in 1878 BC.

I remember the use of scales from an early age. We would go to town once a week to do our weekly shopping. Nearly every business we went into had a scale and I soon realized these devices were very important. Our first stop was often the hardware store. Dad would grab a handful of nails out of the bin and place them into the scoop on the scale. He would write the weight on the paper bag and the clerk would calculate the cost at the register. Our next stop was the grocery store. This time, I tagged along with Mom. She would put her apples in the pan of the scale and once the arrow was still, she would mentally tally how much the apples were going to cost. If it was more than she liked, one would go back into the bin. The pie would still be flavorful, but not quite as robust. Our last stop in town was always the Coop. Dad would drive up onto the weighbridge. The attendant inside would weigh us (the truck plus all its contents), then give Dad a two-finger salute and a smile when he was finished. (That’s Sandhills sign language for “pull ahead.”) Dad would drive forward towards the loading augers, pulling directly under the spout.

Scales have advanced over my lifetime, just as most other things have. Now, most scales are digital and use what’s called Strain Gauge technology. Instead of using a metal or wooden beam, they use transducer beams that are specially engineered to bend in proportion to the weight of the load placed on the scale, making them exceptionally accurate.

In Biblical times scales would have been used for much the same things they are today. It’s not hard to imagine scales at many booths in the open market. Figs, pomegranates, and precious metals may have been a few things sold by weight. Just like today, the more the item weighed the greater its value. In our culture this concept has overlapped onto even those things that are not weighed on a scale…the more powerful, wealthier, and famous one seems to be, the more value we allot to that person.

Imagine now that you have you been invited to step up onto God’s scale. Surely, God will be pleased with the accomplishments that have brought you wealth and prestige. But, to your astonishment, the scale does not move. How can this be, you ask? We only need to look as far as Psalm 62:9. From the greatest to the lowliest – all are nothing in his sight. If you weigh them on the scales, they are lighter than a puff of air. God’s scale obviously measures differently. Those that have obtained power, wealth, or prestige carry no more weight than the homeless man under the bridge. What then, does His scale measure? We find that answer in Eph. 5:22-23. It’s not apples, but spiritual fruit. Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, and self-control – those are the things that “weigh” to God. It’s not impossible to tip God’s scale, but it won’t be with power, prestige, and wealth.

Until next time – keep on readin’ and I’ll keep on writin.’