Deuteronomy 25:16
For everyone who behaves dishonestly in regard to these things is detestable to the LORD your God.
For everyone who behaves dishonestly
This phrase addresses the universal nature of the command, indicating that it applies to all individuals without exception. The context of Deuteronomy 25 involves laws about fair weights and measures, emphasizing honesty in trade and commerce. Dishonesty in this context refers to deceitful practices that exploit others, which were common in ancient marketplaces. The Bible consistently condemns dishonesty, as seen in Proverbs 11:1, which states, "A false balance is an abomination to the LORD, but a just weight is his delight." This principle underscores the importance of integrity and fairness, reflecting God's character.

in regard to these things
"These things" specifically refer to the laws and commandments given in the preceding verses, particularly those concerning just weights and measures. The broader context of Deuteronomy includes various laws intended to promote justice and righteousness among the Israelites. The emphasis on fair trade practices highlights the importance of community trust and the prevention of exploitation. This principle is echoed in Leviticus 19:35-36, which also commands the use of honest scales and measures, reinforcing the consistency of God's standards across the Torah.

is detestable to the LORD
The term "detestable" signifies something that is abhorred or loathed by God. This strong language indicates the severity with which God views dishonest practices. Throughout Scripture, God expresses a deep aversion to sin and injustice, as seen in passages like Proverbs 6:16-19, which lists things the Lord hates, including a lying tongue and a heart that devises wicked plans. The use of such language serves as a warning to the Israelites and to all believers about the seriousness of maintaining integrity in all dealings.

your God
This phrase personalizes the command, reminding the Israelites of their covenant relationship with God. It emphasizes that the laws are not merely societal rules but divine mandates from the God who delivered them from Egypt and established them as His people. This relationship is foundational to understanding the law, as it is rooted in God's holiness and His desire for His people to reflect His character. The phrase "your God" also serves as a reminder of accountability, as the Israelites are to live in a manner that honors their covenant with the Lord.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The author of Deuteronomy, delivering God's laws to the Israelites.

2. Israelites
The chosen people of God, receiving the law as they prepare to enter the Promised Land.

3. Promised Land
The land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.

4. God (Yahweh)
The one true God, who is establishing His covenant and laws with His people.

5. Canaan
The region where the Israelites are headed, a place where they are to live out God's commandments.
Teaching Points
God's Standard of Honesty
God requires His people to live with integrity and honesty. This commandment reflects His character and His desire for justice and fairness in all aspects of life.

The Detestable Nature of Dishonesty
The Hebrew word translated as "detestable" (to'evah) indicates something that is morally repugnant to God. This underscores the seriousness with which God views dishonest behavior.

Integrity in Daily Life
As followers of Christ, we are called to uphold honesty in our personal and professional lives. This includes being truthful in our words and fair in our dealings with others.

Reflecting God's Character
By living honestly, we reflect God's character to the world. Our integrity can serve as a testimony to others about the transformative power of God's Word.

The Consequences of Dishonesty
Dishonesty not only damages our relationship with God but also harms our relationships with others. It can lead to a loss of trust and credibility.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the command in Deuteronomy 25:16 reflect God's character and His expectations for His people?

2. In what ways can we apply the principle of honest weights and measures in our modern context?

3. How do the additional scriptures (Proverbs 11:1, Leviticus 19:35-36, etc.) reinforce the message of Deuteronomy 25:16?

4. What are some practical steps we can take to ensure honesty and integrity in our daily interactions?

5. How can living with integrity serve as a witness to others about our faith in Christ?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Proverbs 11:1
This verse speaks about the Lord detesting dishonest scales, emphasizing the importance of honesty and integrity in business and personal dealings.

Leviticus 19:35-36
These verses also address the issue of honest weights and measures, reinforcing the commandment given in Deuteronomy.

Micah 6:11
This verse questions the use of dishonest scales, highlighting God's disdain for deceit and injustice.

Proverbs 20:23
Similar to Deuteronomy 25:16, this verse reiterates that differing weights are an abomination to the Lord.

1 Thessalonians 4:6
This New Testament verse warns against defrauding others, aligning with the Old Testament's call for honesty.
Honesty the Best PolicyR.M. Edgar Deuteronomy 25:11-16
Fluctuation of TradeBp. Newton.Deuteronomy 25:13-16
JusticeP. Houghton.Deuteronomy 25:13-16
Morality in TradeJ. Orr Deuteronomy 25:13-16
Religion Inspires Commercial LifeD. Davies Deuteronomy 25:13-16
The Christian in CommerceA. J. Morris.Deuteronomy 25:13-16
People
Amalek, Amalekites, Ephah, Moses
Places
Amalek, Beth-baal-peor, Egypt
Topics
Abomination, Act, Acts, Anyone, Deals, Disgusting, Dishonestly, Iniquity, Unjustly, Unrighteously, Unrighteousness, Upright
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Deuteronomy 25:16

     6025   sin, and God's character
     6147   deceit, practice

Deuteronomy 25:13-16

     5242   buying and selling
     8275   honesty

Library
Therefore at that Time, when the Law Also...
27. Therefore at that time, when the Law also, following upon the days of the Patriarchs, [2010] pronounced accursed, whoso raised not up seed in Israel, even he, who could, put it not forth, but yet possessed it. But from the period that the fullness of time hath come, [2011] that it should be said, "Whoso can receive, let him receive," [2012] from that period even unto this present, and from henceforth even unto the end, whoso hath, worketh: whoso shall be unwilling to work, let him not falsely
St. Augustine—On the Good of Marriage

The Doctrine of Arbitrary Scriptural Accommodation Considered.
"But the Righteousness which is of Faith speaketh on this wise,--Say not in thine heart, Who shall ascend into Heaven?' (that is, to bring Christ down from above:) or, Who shall descend into the deep?' (that is, to bring up Christ again from the dead.) But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth; and in thine heart:' that is, the word of Faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from
John William Burgon—Inspiration and Interpretation

Nor, Because I Called Ruth Blessed, Anna More Blessed...
10. Nor, because I called Ruth blessed, Anna more blessed, in that the former married twice, the latter, being soon widowed of her one husband, so lived long, do you straightway also think that you are better than Ruth. Forsooth different in the times of the Prophets was the dispensation of holy females, whom obedience, not lust, forced to marry, for the propagation of the people of God, [2242] that in them Prophets of Christ might be sent beforehand; whereas the People itself also, by those things
St. Augustine—On the Good of Widowhood.

Genealogy According to Luke.
^C Luke III. 23-38. ^c 23 And Jesus himself [Luke has been speaking about John the Baptist, he now turns to speak of Jesus himself], when he began to teach, was about thirty years of age [the age when a Levite entered upon God's service--Num. iv. 46, 47], being the son (as was supposed) of Joseph, the son [this may mean that Jesus was grandson of Heli, or that Joseph was counted as a son of Heli because he was his son-in-law] of Heli, 24 the son of Matthat, the son of Levi, the son of Melchi, the
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Of those who are Able to Profit Others by virtuous Example in Supreme Rule, but Fly from it in Pursuit of their Own Ease.
For there are some who are eminently endowed with virtues, and for the training of others are exalted by great gifts, who are pure in zeal for chastity, strong in the might of abstinence, filled with the feasts of doctrine, humble in the long-suffering of patience, erect in the fortitude of authority, tender in the grace of loving-kindness, strict in the severity of justice. Truly such as these, if when called they refuse to undertake offices of supreme rule, for the most part deprive themselves
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Genealogy of Jesus According to Matthew.
^A Matt. I. 1-17. ^a 1 The book of the generation [or genealogy] of Jesus Christ, the son of David [the Messiah was promised to David--II. Sam. vii. 16; John vii. 42], the son of Abraham. [Messiah was also promised to Abraham--Gen. xxii. 18; Gal. iii. 16.] 2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judah and his brethren [mentioned here because they were the heads of the tribes for whom especially Matthew wrote his Gospel]; 3 and Judah begat Perez and Zerah [these two were twins]
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

The True Manner of Keeping Holy the Lord's Day.
Now the sanctifying of the Sabbath consists in two things--First, In resting from all servile and common business pertaining to our natural life; Secondly, In consecrating that rest wholly to the service of God, and the use of those holy means which belong to our spiritual life. For the First. 1. The servile and common works from which we are to cease are, generally, all civil works, from the least to the greatest (Exod. xxxi. 12, 13, 15, &c.) More particularly-- First, From all the works of our
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety

The Roman Pilgrimage: the Miracles which were Wrought in It.
[Sidenote: 1139] 33. (20). It seemed to him, however, that one could not go on doing these things with sufficient security without the authority of the Apostolic See; and for that reason he determined to set out for Rome, and most of all because the metropolitan see still lacked, and from the beginning had lacked, the use of the pall, which is the fullness of honour.[507] And it seemed good in his eyes[508] that the church for which he had laboured so much[509] should acquire, by his zeal and labour,
H. J. Lawlor—St. Bernard of Clairvaux's Life of St. Malachy of Armagh

Cix. Jewish Rulers Seek to Ensnare Jesus.
(Court of the Temple. Tuesday, April 4, a.d. 30.) Subdivision B. Sadducees Ask About the Resurrection. ^A Matt. XXII. 23-33; ^B Mark XII. 18-27; ^C Luke XX. 27-39. ^a 23 On that day there came { ^b come} unto him ^c certain of the the Sadducees, they that { ^b who} say there is no resurrection [As to the Sadducees, see p. 71. We may regard their attitude toward Christ as expressed by their leader Caiaphas, see p. 528]; and they asked him, saying, 19 Teacher, Moses wrote unto us [See Deut. xxv. 5,
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Preaching (iii. ).
Eternal Fulness, overflow to me Till I, Thy vessel, overflow for Thee; For sure the streams that make Thy garden grow Are never fed but by an overflow: Not till Thy prophets with Thyself run o'er Are Israel's watercourses full once more. Again I treat of the sermon. We have looked, my younger Brother and I, at some main secrets and prescriptions for attractive preaching. What shall I more say on the subject of the pulpit? In the first place I will offer a few miscellaneous suggestions, and then
Handley C. G. Moule—To My Younger Brethren

Second Stage of Jewish Trial. Jesus Condemned by Caiaphas and the Sanhedrin.
(Palace of Caiaphas. Friday.) ^A Matt. XXVI. 57, 59-68; ^B Mark XIV. 53, 55-65; ^C Luke XXII. 54, 63-65; ^D John XVIII. 24. ^d 24 Annas therefore sent him bound unto Caiaphas the high priest. [Foiled in his attempted examination of Jesus, Annas sends him to trial.] ^b and there come together with him all the chief priests and the elders and the scribes. ^a 57 And they that had taken Jesus led him away to the house of Caiaphas the high priest, ^c and brought him into the high priest's house. ^a where
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Deuteronomy
Owing to the comparatively loose nature of the connection between consecutive passages in the legislative section, it is difficult to present an adequate summary of the book of Deuteronomy. In the first section, i.-iv. 40, Moses, after reviewing the recent history of the people, and showing how it reveals Jehovah's love for Israel, earnestly urges upon them the duty of keeping His laws, reminding them of His spirituality and absoluteness. Then follows the appointment, iv. 41-43--here irrelevant (cf.
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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