The Bible is quite often criticized for some of the hard things in it, particularly in the Mosaic Law.  There are a lot of things to be said about this.  Paul, in his letter to the Romans, discusses how the law shows us our sin.  Dennis Prager is making some of the harder verses a discussion point for his program, showing that when you really dig into it, the verses make a lot more sense and represent a giant step forward in society.

While I do agree that there are some hard things in the Law of Moses (and the Bible in general) that could be discussed, I again go back to the point that William Federer makes.  We should not get totally bogged down in discussing some of the hard things.  The big picture is that rather than having a king with arbitrary power, the people were governed by the law.  This was a giant step forward.  Everyone was expected to obey the law.  God punished King David severely for his adultery and murder.  The great thing about the Mosaic Law is it was given by God.  When people make the law, they tend to make laws that apply to everyone but them.

The State of Texas, while being more in line with the Bible than many states, could still learn something from this.  Texas Senate Bill 204, which was passed in 2013 and went into effect in 2014, requires professional engineers to be fingerprinted and have criminal background checks.  The Bill passed the Senate unanimously, 31-0.  There is also a requirement for medical professionals and child care workers to get fingerprinted for criminal background checks.  As a licensed professional engineer in Texas who had to get fingerprinted, I do not have a problem with this.  What I have a problem with is a profession that is still currently omitted – you guessed it, lawyers!

I made three attempts to contact my state senator, Carlos Uresti on this.  I sent his office an e-mail and received no reply.  I called his office.  After talking to someone answering his phone, I sent another e-mail. I still have not gotten a response.  Guess what his profession is?  You got it – a lawyer!

Leviticus 19:36 states “Your scales and weights must be accurate. Your containers for measuring dry materials or liquids must be accurate.” NLT.

Deuteronomy 25:15 states “You must use accurate scales when you weigh out merchandise and you must use full and honest measures.  Yes, always use honest weights and measures, so that you may enjoy a long life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.  All who cheat with dishonest weights and measures are detestable to the Lord your God.” NLT.

The Bible of course is not just talking about scales used for commercial transactions.  The Bible is talking about being honest and square dealing.  The Bible is talking about being fair and doing what is right.  The Bible is talking about not having one set of rules for one set of people and another set of rules for everyone else.

This theme continues throughout the Bible.  Proverbs 11:1 states “The Lord detests the use of dishonest scales, but he delights in accurate weights.” NLT.  Proverbs 16:11 states “The Lord demands accurate scales and balances; he sets the standards for fairness.” NLT.

So Senator Uresti, quit passing laws that apply to other people but not to you.  If as a professional engineer I need a criminal background check, as a lawyer you need one too!

Terry Read