Everyone knows the Text … “These SIX things doth God hate ….”
Yet immediately Solomon adds another condition to the list: “Yea, SEVEN are an abomination to Him.”
So here’s my question this morning, “Are these all the things God hates?”
“A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, an heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren.” Count them, seven indeed.
Again, are there more?
Yes!
And I am not saying my list is exhaustive either.
But I have found a few other things (sins) God is said to hate.
I first searched for every time this verb “hate” is used in the Old Testament. “Sane” as a 3rd person, masculine, singular. In Hebrew, a qal perfect.
In Deuteronomy 12:31 Moses tells us something else God hates. “Thou shalt not do so unto the LORD thy God: for every abomination to the LORD, WHICH HE HATETH, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.” The innocent deaths of little children! Yes, literal child sacrifice. To a myriad of gods and goddesses.
Here’s another one. God hates idols! “Neither shalt thou set thee up any image; WHICH THE LORD THY GOD HATETH.” Deuteronomy 16:22
Then, God hates “divorce!” Malachi 2:16 says so. “For the LORD, the God of Israel, saith that HE HATETH PUTTING AWAY: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith the LORD of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.” The previous verse gives further amplification. “Let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.”
But God Himself tells us some more things He hates!
Now some “first person” verbs, or should I say First Person?
Listen to the Lord in Isaiah 61:8. “For I the LORD love judgment, I HATE ROBBERY for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.” The word “robbery” used here means to take something “violently.” To plunder. Is this giving to God (as an offering) something procured wrongly?
Jeremiah 44:3-4, self explanatory. “Because of their wickedness which they have committed to provoke me to anger, in that they went to burn incense, and to serve other gods, whom they knew not, neither they, ye, nor your fathers. Howbeit I sent unto you all my servants the prophets, rising early and sending them, saying, Oh, do not THIS ABOMINABLE THING THAT I HATE.” Wow, serving other gods now.
Amos 5:21 too, God still speaking. “I HATE, I despise your feast days, and I will not smell in your solemn assemblies.” Because of Israel’s hypocritical, sinful hearts.
Zechariah 8:17 too. “And let none of you imagine evil in your hearts against his neighbour; and love no false oath: for ALL THESE ARE THINGS THAT I HATE, saith the LORD.”
There’s even one in the New Testament. Jesus to the Church at Pergamos: “So hast thou also them that hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitans, WHICH THING I HATE.” No worldliness in Jesus’ true Churches, that’s His ultimate goal!
I’m now wondering if a person could just say, “GOD HATES SIN!”
Period.
And the more we learn about this awesome (ineffable) God … especially what He loves and hates … the more we can properly identify His Character.
Knowing God.
Life’s highest aspiration.
— Dr. Mike Bagwell