§ 1 The text
NASB
Ezekiel 45:9-10, NASB‘Thus says the Lord God, “Enough, you princes of Israel; put away violence and destruction, and practice justice and righteousness. Stop your expropriations from My people,” declares the Lord God. “You shall have just balances, a just ephah and a just bath.”’
“It is acceptable for the law to weigh some lives as more protectable than others.”
§ 2 The argument
God commands rulers to keep 'just balances' — honest, equal weights and measures. Unequal measures are elsewhere called an abomination. A legal system that assigns unequal weight to human lives based on developmental stage uses 'dishonest scales' and stands condemned.
§ 3 Context & notes
The speaker uses the 'equal weights and measures' motif as a biblical image of equal protection: manipulating the scales to do justice for some and not others is abominable (cf. Proverbs 20:10, 23). Directly analogizes to gestational-stage carve-outs.
§ 4 Themes
equal weights equal protection justice and righteousness rulers' duty no expropriation
§ 5 Discussion questions
- 'Just balances' means the same standard for everyone. What is the legal equivalent of a dishonest scale in abortion law?
- God addresses 'princes' — rulers and lawmakers. What is their specific duty here?