A Family Legacy that Promotes Justice

Proverbs 11 begins with false balances and just weights. Do you think he might be talking about being a good gymnast with good balance who is fit and trim? No, I don’t think so. A balance is a scale for weighing things like the one shown in this picture. It consists of two baskets suspended from two equal length arms that pivot like a teeter-totter. In one basket is placed the product being sold. In the other basket are added standard weights until everything balances (the arm holding the baskets is horizontal). Now this kind of scale is hardly ever used these days. But we all know what a scale is and it does the same thing as a balance. How would you feel if you went into a grocery store to buy a pound of hamburger but the scales were wrong and although they said the hamburger was one pound, it was really a lot less. You would have felt cheated – and you would have been cheated!

Just balances and weights are all about justice. The lady holding this balance has a long history in Western Culture. She is called Lady Justice. A statue of her is often seen in a courthouse where judgments are supposed to be just and right. Do you see that she has a blindfold over her eyes? This is because when courts make just judgments they are supposed to be impartial and not favor one person over another. In other words, justice is supposed to be blind to the people it is judging.

So what does this have to do with a Family Legacy? Several things. First, a lasting Family Legacy must be built on honest dealings with others. And second, families must promote a larger culture of justice. Many countries in the world that are poor, are poor because there is no rule of law in the society and it is filled with corruption. This kind of widespread lawlessness undermines free trade and makes it difficult for any family to prosper. So how is a Family Legacy going to make a difference in the culture? In four ways:
1. By praying as Jesus taught us, that even as God’s will is done perfectly in heaven, so it would be done as perfectly on earth. (When we pray according to God’s will, it will be answered.)

“After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:9-10)

2. By praying as the Apostle Paul taught us, that while we might not yet see that perfect righteousness on the earth, we pray that the rulers of this world would be restrained so that we can practice that righteousness ourselves.

“I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;” (1 Timothy 2: 1-3)

3. By practicing that righteousness by doing good works publicly (not just privately) to be seen of men (that's what the text says) to the glory of God, not our own glory.

“Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” (Matthew 5:16)

4. And finally, by discipling the nations and with it teaching them obedience to God.

“Go ye therefore, and teach [disciple] all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Matthew 18:19-20)

You can see here that the Great Commission gives feet to that for which we pray in the Lord's Prayer. Therefore just weights and measures are not just about us; they are about changing the world for the glory of God. Building a Family Legacy gives us a vision for something larger than us – the kingdom of God on the earth.