Pro 11:1 " A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight."
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We continue to work our way through the book of Proverbs - going verse by verse in order beginning at Chap 10, but then reviewing all related verses in the book to get a fuller-orbed understanding of the topic introduced there.
This week we start a new chapter, and an interesting subject.
Abomination .... or something the LORD hates or is disgusted by.
The average "evangelical", if asked, what are things the LORD would consider "abominations" will talk about gay marriage, abortion, cross-dressing, and loose-living --- and will consider themselves "righteous" because they don't do those things.
They are right about the LORD not liking those things..
Lev_18:22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind: it is abomination.
Lev_20:13 If a man also lie with mankind, as he lieth with a woman, both of them have committed an abomination: they shall surely be put to death; their blood shall be upon them.
Deu 22:5 The woman shall not wear that which pertaineth unto a man, neither shall a man put on a woman's garment: for all that do so are abomination unto the LORD thy God.
However, They may not relate the word, to the passage quoted below (we have studied this earlier) that hits MUCH MUCH closer to home!
"These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an ---abomination--- unto him:
(1) A proud look, (2) a lying tongue, (3) and hands that shed innocent blood, (4) An heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, (5) feet that be swift in running to mischief, (6) A false witness that speaketh lies, and (7) he that soweth discord among brethren. " - Prov 6:16-19
Hmmmmmm..... that would put a lot of human behavior on the same level as what the evangelicals disdain.
We also find the same word used to regulate the Israelites diet!
"And all that have not fins and scales in the seas, and in the rivers, of all that move in the waters, and of any living thing which is in the waters, they shall be an abomination unto you:They shall be even an abomination unto you; ye shall not eat of their flesh, but ye shall have their carcases in abomination.
Whatsoever hath no fins nor scales in the waters, that shall be an abomination unto you.And these are they which ye shall have in abomination among the fowls; they shall not be eaten, they are an abomination: the eagle, and the ossifrage, and the ospray..."
(Lev 11:10-13)
"All fowls that creep, going upon all four, shall be an abomination unto you" (Lev 11:20)
"But all other flying creeping things, which have four feet, shall be an abomination unto you." (Lev 11:20)
"And every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth shall be an abomination; it shall not be eaten.Whatsoever goeth upon the belly, and whatsoever goeth upon all four, or whatsoever hath more feet among all creeping things that creep upon the earth, them ye shall not eat; for they are an abomination." (Lev 11:42,43)
Does the LORD feel the same way about high wickedness (the 7 abominations in Prov 6), as He does about homosexuality, cross-dressing, our diet, and correct balances/weights and measures?
It would seem that way... based on a cursory reading. However, lets look a little deeper at the words used that are universally translated as "Abomination".
The first place we find the word is in the book of Genesis, where Joseph feeds his brothers the first time (without revealing himself)... they eat separately "because the Egyptians might not eat bread with the Hebrews; for that is an --abomination-- unto the Egyptians."
The word there is the word "To-ebah" - used to denote something morally repugnant, "properly something disgusting (morally), that is, (as noun) an abhorrence; especially idolatry or (concretely) an idol: - abominable (custom, thing), abomination." (Strongs Dictionary). Here it is the Egyptians disdain of eating with foreigners.
This is the same word that is used to describe the uncleanness of homosexuality, idolatry, false balances (our text) and ....
....... Remarriage after divorce (!)
{{ Deut 24:4 -- Her former husband, which sent her away, may not take her again to be his wife, after that she is defiled; for that is abomination before the LORD. }}
Hmmm..... Our Lord talked about the remarriage issue ... consistent with the text above .... "But I say unto you, That whosoever shall put away his wife, saving for the cause of fornication, causeth her to commit adultery: and whosoever shall marry her that is divorced committeth adultery." - Mat 19:9
The next place we encounter the word, brings to mind Easter ....
" And if any of the flesh of the sacrifice of his peace offerings be eaten at all on ---the third day---, it shall not be accepted, neither shall it be imputed unto him that offereth it: it shall be an abomination, and the soul that eateth of it shall bear his iniquity." - Lev 7:18.
The word there is the word "piggul" - From an unused root meaning to stink; properly fetid, that is, (figuratively) unclean (ceremonially): - abominable (-tion, thing). Certainly appropriate for the context in which it was used, and it brings to mind the prophetic passage that "You will not suffer your Holy One to see corruption".
The word used for dietary uncleanness (the Leviticus diet restrictions) is the word "shaqats". A primitive root; to be filthy, that is, (intensively) to loathe, pollute: - abhor, make abominable, have in abomination, detest, X utterly.
In the Book of Proverbs, everytime we see the word abomination, the word used is the word "To-ebah". Not piggul, not shaqats -- to-ebah EXCLUSIVELY. Something that makes God go --- ewwwww...yuck....!!!! Here is the complete list from the book.
SET A: Things abominable to the LORD
Pro_3:32 For the froward is abomination to the LORD: but his secret is with the righteous.
Pro_6:16 These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: { we have seen the list }
Pro_8:7 For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.-- Our God does NOT lie.
Pro_11:1 A false balance is abomination to the LORD: but a just weight is his delight.
Pro_11:20 They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.
Pro_12:22 Lying lips are abomination to the LORD: but they that deal truly are his delight.
Pro_15:8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.
Pro_15:9 The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.
Pro_15:26 The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words.
Pro_16:5 Every one that is proud in heart is an abomination to the LORD: though hand join in hand, he shall not be unpunished.
Pro_17:15 He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.
Pro_20:10 Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.
Pro_20:23 Divers weights are an abomination unto the LORD; and a false balance is not good.
Pro_21:27 The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?
Pro_28:9 He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.
SET B: Abominable things in general
Pro_16:12 It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.
Pro_24:9 The thought of foolishness is sin: and the scorner is an abomination to men.
Pro_29:27 An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.
Pro_13:19 The desire accomplished is sweet to the soul: but it is abomination to fools to depart from evil.
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Conclusion : So, what should we make of all of this?
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1. Remove any concept of self-righteousness from your thoughts.
In the eyes of the LORD, the "holiest" human being, is as abominable and disgusting as a stinking corpse, given that pride, deceit, self-will is ever present with us.
We are more akin to those whose lifestyles we deprecate than we know... perhaps committing greater sins!!!
God hates (or is disgusted by) ALL unspiritual behavior. Rebelling against the natural order to defile God's image (Homosexuality, cross-dressing, bestiality) is just one class of sins. Adultery, Remarriage, Pride, Injustice, Falsehood... are all ---equally--- disgusting to Him. It is us that make artificial distinctions as to what is worse....
Take a look at why He judged Sodom ... "Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, --pride, --fulness of bread, and --abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, ---neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were --haughty, and --committed abomination before me: therefore I took them away as I saw good. " - Eze 16:49-50 ------
Do you see it. Pride, idleness, neglect of the poor (injustice), self will (haughtiness) and the commonly understood abominations besides.....
2. Knowing that all humanity is on the same abominable plain, should make it easier for us to understand Christ's heart, when he ate and drank with the the "Abominable". Tax collectors, prostitutes, drunkards, even those that were physically repulsive and stinking... Lepers! If we are to call ourselves Christians, how can we hate those that HE died for?
Let us hate and put these sins away from us, just as He does ---- but let us ALLWAYS love those that are trapped by them!
Hallelujah!