What God Hates, What God Loves
[Proverbs 15:8-33]
As Christians, we need to have a clear distinction between right and wrong. What is good should be called good, and what is evil should be called evil; we must be able to distinguish between the two clearly. Particularly, as we continue to meditate on the book of Proverbs, the book of wisdom, we need to learn to distinguish clearly between what God loves and what God hates. And we should hate what God hates and love what God loves. In today's passage, Proverbs 15:9, the Bible says: “The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but He loves him who follows righteousness.” Based on this verse, today we will reflect on “What God Hates, What God Loves” and seek to receive grace and teachings as we meditate on both.
First, let us consider three things that God hates:
1. God Hates the Sacrifice of the Wicked
Let’s look at the first part of Proverbs 15:8: “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord...” What is the sacrifice of the wicked that God hates? It is a sacrifice where the person offers something outwardly to God, but their heart is wicked. This type of sacrifice can especially be seen in the Old Testament. For example, the Jews would honor God with their lips but their hearts were far from Him (Isaiah 29:13, Matthew 15:8, Mark 7:6). Concerning such sacrifices, Isaiah 1:11-14 says: “To what purpose is the multitude of your sacrifices to Me?—says the Lord—; I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of fed cattle; I do not delight in the blood of bulls, or of lambs, or of goats. When you come to appear before Me, who has required this from your hand, to trample My courts? Bring no more futile sacrifices; incense is an abomination to Me; the New Moons, the Sabbaths, and the calling of assemblies—I cannot endure iniquity and the sacred meeting. Your New Moons and your appointed feasts My soul hates; they are a trouble to Me, I am weary of bearing them.”
Why did God hate the multitude of sacrifices and gatherings of the Jews? Why did He say they were a burden, and that He was weary of bearing them? The reason was that the Israelites, while performing all these religious rituals, were still “committing evil” (Isaiah 1:13). In other words, they honored God with their lips and offered sacrifices, but their hearts were pursuing wickedness and their lives were filled with evil deeds. Look at verses 15-17: “When you spread out your hands, I will hide My eyes from you; even though you make many prayers, I will not hear. Your hands are full of blood. Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; put away the evil of your doings from before My eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, rebuke the oppressor; defend the fatherless, plead for the widow.”
When we consider what God hates in sacrifices in the New Testament, Romans 12:1-2 comes to mind: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” If we live according to this world, without knowing or following God’s good, acceptable, and perfect will, and we live according to our own will, yet come to church every Sunday to worship God, then such worship is not pleasing to God. In fact, we could say that such worship is the kind of worship that God hates. If we live in conformity with the world, and instead of being transformed by the renewing of our minds, we are being corrupted, yet we still worship God according to our own will, will God love such worship or hate it?
The Gospel Song "Like the Sun in the Day, Like the Moon in the Night"
I am reminded of the gospel song "Like the Sun in the Day, Like the Moon in the Night." In the second verse of that song, the lyrics go as follows: “… But I prefer receiving to giving; my lips may resemble the Lord's, but my heart is still ugly, counting only the love I have yet to receive. Lord, help me.” Isn't this our confession? Our lips may resemble the Lord’s, but isn't our heart still impure? With such an impure heart, would God love the worship we offer to Him, or would He hate it? In the latter half of Proverbs 15:14, the Bible says, “The mouth of a fool feeds on folly.” Is our mouth not foolish right now? Is it possible that our hearts are far from God, while our lips enjoy seeming to resemble the Lord? One way we can know if our hearts are far from God is by considering whether we are currently obeying God’s commandments as we worship Him. For example, consider Proverbs 15:18 in today’s passage: “A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.” If we come to worship God on a Sunday, and remember that we have a conflict or have caused a brother to resent us, whether they are family or church members, then the Bible in Matthew 5:24 says, “Leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift.” But if we know this is what we should do, yet, in disobedience to God’s word, we don’t reconcile with our brother and still proceed to worship God, can we truly say that God will love such worship?
Dear brothers and sisters, today’s scripture in Proverbs 15:8 tells us that “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord.” Even though we are not wicked, if we, like the wicked, say with our lips that we love God, but our hearts are far from Him, living lives of disobedience to His commandments, then our worship will not be the kind that God loves. If we live in disobedience to God’s word and come before the Lord to worship without any repentance, such worship will not be the kind that God delights in. I am reminded of what the prophet Samuel said to Israel’s first king, Saul: “Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams” (1 Samuel 15:22).
2. God Hates the Way of the Wicked
Now, look at the first part of Proverbs 15:9: “The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord…” The wicked who walk in the way that God hates are those who betray His path (v. 10). Although their lips may appear to obey God’s ways, their actions reject God’s word and they live lives of disobedience. One reason they do this is because they seek profits (v. 27). In other words, the wicked walk in the way of disobedience because their hearts are filled with greed. And because they do not fear God, they disobey His word, all in pursuit of wealth (v. 16). They may even become wealthy, but the problem is that although they feast on “fat cows” (v. 17), they live lives of hatred toward others. Proverbs 15:6b says, “The income of the wicked brings trouble.” Even if a wise person rebukes them, they do not like being corrected (v. 12). In fact, they dislike correction from the wise (v. 19), and they even scorn their father’s instruction (v. 5). This reveals their ignorance and foolishness (v. 21). It also shows that they do not value their soul (v. 32). Proverbs 13:18 says that those who reject correction will face “poverty and shame.” Furthermore, in today’s passage, Proverbs 15:25 tells us that God will destroy the house of the proud wicked. Therefore, the wicked will suffer hardship (v. 15), and their hearts will be troubled, leading to spiritual distress (v. 13). Furthermore, the wicked will receive severe punishment, even unto death (v. 10).
Dear all, the wicked enjoy ignorance and foolishness, and so they walk in the way that God hates, instead of walking on the right path (v. 21). The way of the wicked is not the path that follows God’s word, but the path that follows their own greed and desires. As they walk this path, the wicked delight in bribery (v. 27). This path may appear to lead to great wealth, but it is a path full of trouble (v. 16), hatred (v. 17), anger, and disputes (v. 18). We should not walk this path, for it is the path that God hates.
3. God hates wicked schemes.
Look at the first part of Proverbs 15:26: “The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord…” God not only hates the sacrifices and the ways of the wicked (vv. 8-9), but also their wicked schemes (v. 26) or their wicked plans (6:18). Though the wicked may think that no one knows the evil schemes they plan, the Bible clearly teaches that God, who is all-knowing, knows everything. In Psalm 139:1-2, it says that God searches us and knows not only when we sit and rise, but also our thoughts. And in Proverbs 15:11, it says, “Hell and destruction are before the Lord, how much more the hearts of the children of men?” Yet, the foolish and wicked person still schemes evil (24:8), because they are proud (15:25) and do not fear God (16, 33).
As we have already reflected on in Proverbs 1:10, the Bible says, “My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.” The reason why the wicked entice us is to “gain all sorts of precious goods and fill our houses with stolen goods” (v. 13). In other words, the reason the wicked scheme evil is to covet what belongs to others and make it their own. In the end, as Proverbs 15:27 states, the wicked scheme evil because they desire profit. And so, the wicked give and receive bribes, using dishonest means. The problem is that the wicked, while not working hard themselves, continually use evil schemes to unjustly take the goods of others. Ultimately, the wicked become lazy because of their schemes (v. 19). They do not think of working hard with their own sweat but seek to enrich themselves through evil schemes, leading to laziness. However, in Proverbs 15:19, the Bible says, “The way of the lazy is as a hedge of thorns.” This means that even the wicked life, living with evil schemes and laziness, will be surrounded by difficulties like thorns in every direction.
In Job 5:12, the Bible clearly states, “He frustrates the devices of the crafty, so that their hands cannot perform their enterprise.” Although to our human eyes, the wicked may seem to prosper and gain wealth because of their evil schemes, the Bible assures us that God will not let them succeed. Therefore, we do not need to envy the success of the wicked (see Psalm 73). We must never be deceived by their schemes. Instead, we must also hate the sacrifices, ways, and wicked schemes of the wicked, just as God does.
4. What should we love then?
Finally, let us reflect on what God loves. I would like to reflect on three things that God loves:
First, God delights in the prayers of the righteous.
Look at Proverbs 15:8: “The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but the prayer of the upright is His delight.” God does not delight in the countless sacrifices (or worship) we offer when we live in disobedience to His word. Instead, God delights in the sacrifices (worship) we offer when we obey His word. And God delights in the prayers we offer when we obey His word. This prayer that we offer in obedience to God’s word is what is called “the prayer of the upright” in today’s passage. And the prayer of the upright refers to the prayer of the righteous (as translated by Park Yun-seon). So, who are the righteous? Are they the ones who never sin? The righteous are those who obey the words of Psalm 51:17: “The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.” In other words, the righteous are those who offer to God the sacrifice He desires. In other words, the righteous in God’s eyes are those who approach Him with a broken heart, confessing their sins, repenting, and pleading with Him. The prayers of such righteous people are heard by God, as Proverbs 15:19 tells us.
We must not be like the people of Israel, who honor God with their lips but their hearts are far from Him. What we must distance ourselves from in our hearts are the things that God Himself abhors: the wicked person (v. 29), the sacrifices of the wicked (v. 8), the wicked’s ways (v. 9), and their evil schemes (v. 26). We must honor God with our hearts by drawing close to His word and obeying it. As we obey His word, we must offer our prayers to Him. God delights in the prayers of the righteous.
Secondly, God loves those who follow righteousness.
Let’s look at Proverbs 15:9: “The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord, but He loves him who pursues righteousness.” The wicked, who walk in the way that God hates, reject God’s path (v. 10), but the righteous, whom God loves, obey His word. In obedience, the righteous also fear God (vv. 16, 33) and humbly submit to His word (v. 33). Therefore, he loves his neighbor as God’s word commands, loves others (v. 17), is slow to anger (v. 18), and diligent (v. 19). God sets the righteous on a firm foundation (v. 25), guiding them to walk on the right path (vv. 8, 21). God leads the righteous to walk on “the path of life that goes upward” (v. 24). The righteous have ears that listen to the boundaries of life (v. 31), and they love correction and reproof (vv. 10, 12, 32). This is because the wise heart of the righteous seeks knowledge (v. 14). Therefore, the wise righteous person not only gladdens his own heart (v. 30) but also makes his parents rejoice (v. 20). His heart overflows with joy (vv. 13, 15), his face shines (v. 13), and he is always rejoicing (v. 15).
Brothers and sisters, we have received forgiveness for our sins and have been declared righteous because of Jesus' death on the cross and His resurrection. Therefore, as righteous people, we must walk in the path of righteousness. We, who follow righteousness, should live in awe of God and obey His word. As we obey, we do so humbly, keeping His commandments, which brings joy and gladness to our hearts. God loves those who follow righteousness.
Lastly, God loves those who speak good words.
Let’s look at Proverbs 15:26: “The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord, but the words of the pure are pleasant.” The righteous, who pray with sincerity and obey God’s word, speak good words as they love their neighbor. What are these “good words”? In Proverbs 16:24, we read: “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones.” Good words are joyful and kind words (Park Yun-seon). They are words that bring happiness to others. The person who speaks these pleasant words to their neighbor brings nourishment to their bones and shares good news (15:30). Furthermore, the person who speaks good words carefully considers his answers (v. 28). He does not hastily pour out foolishness or evil in his heart while angry. Instead, he answers gently, quelling his neighbor’s anger (v. 1). He speaks timely words to his neighbor, making them glad (v. 23). Therefore, the person who speaks good words builds a loving relationship with his neighbor. Because of this, the one who speaks good words consults others when making decisions (v. 22). He is able to cooperate with others because he does not covet their possessions and does not accept bribes (v. 27). Furthermore, the one who speaks good words surrounds himself with many advisers (v. 22), and as a result, his plans succeed (v. 22). The reason is that God accepts good words as a pure offering (Park Yun-seon). In other words, when the righteous pray sincerely and obey God’s word, speaking good words, God receives their life as a pure offering and grants success to their endeavors. In Proverbs 16:1, we read: “The preparations of the heart belong to man, but the answer of the tongue is from the Lord.” We simply trust God with our actions (plans). When we do so, God will accomplish our endeavors (v. 3).
I would like to conclude this meditation on the Word. We learned three things God hates and three things God loves based on today’s text, Proverbs 15:8-33. What God hates is the sacrifices of the wicked, the way of the wicked, and their wicked schemes. And what God loves is the prayers of the upright, those who follow righteousness, and those who speak good words. I hope that you and I will become people who love what God loves and hate what God hates. We must not be like the people of Israel, who honor God with their lips but their hearts are far from Him. What we must distance ourselves from in our hearts are the things that God Himself abhors: the wicked person (v. 29), the sacrifices of the wicked (v. 8), the wicked’s ways (v. 9), and their evil schemes (v. 26). We must honor God with our hearts by drawing close to His word and obeying it. As we obey His word, we must offer our prayers to Him. God delights in the prayers of the righteous.