"What God Hates"

 

“What God Hates”

 

Most of us have listened to many messages on God’s love (I’ve preached a lot of them) but I can’t recall hearing (or preaching) one on what God hates. Why is this the case? Two reasons come to mind: God’s love is emphasized far more and we like to hear the positive rather than what we perceive as negative. Recently I read a devotional article based on Isaiah 61 in which God says, “For I, the Lord, love justice; I hate robbery and iniquity.” (Verse 8). I asked myself why this is and concluded that it’s because sin is an affront to God’s holiness. What else does He hate? In Malachi 2:16 He states, “I hate divorce.” because it violates His design for marriage given in Genesis 2:24. And in Proverbs 6:16-19 Solomon lists seven things that are “…detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness that pours out lies and a (person) who stirs up dissension among (brothers and sisters).” because they adversely affect our relationship with Him and our fellow humans.

Is there a place for both love and hatred? In God’s economy the answer is yes. Solomon asserts that there’s “…a time to love and a time to hate….” (Ecclesiastes 3:8). But please note in the above references that God hates actions, not people. Our Lord’s friend quotes Him: “For God so loved the world (i.e. all people) that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16, emphasis added). So God separates the person from the deeds, something we humans find difficult to do.

Let me add a quick word about a statement Bible critics have cited to “prove” God’s hatred for some people. God spoke through His prophet, “I have loved Jacob, but Esau have I hated….” (Malachi 1:2-3). But He’s referring to the activities of the nations which descended from these brothers: Israel and Edom. Israel accepted God’s ways (although they strayed from them often); in contrast Edom lived in rebellion against Him throughout its history. So again it was the Edomites’ sinful acts which God hated, not the individuals. It’s probable, then, that some from this nation will be in Heaven (Revelation 7:9 says, “…a great multitude…from every nation, tribe, people and language, (were) standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb.”{Emphasis added}).

God shows justice, love, grace and mercy to all but He hates sin in any form. But He stands ready to forgive all sin as we trust in Jesus’ sacrifice (see 1 John 1:9). Is there any good reason not to accept His offer?

 

Grace and Blessings!

Jim McMillan