Partisans

(Pro 29:27 KJV)  An unjust man is an abomination to the just: and he that is upright in the way is abomination to the wicked.

I’m sorry.  No, we can’t just get along.  As much as we might want “peace in our time” it is not going to happen.  

We know that as Christians there is a courtesy and concern for the unjust.  It is part of the burden we carry.  At the same time we need to recognize that our ways are not compatible with theirs.  In fact we should accept that they are an abomination to God and thus to us.

What we keep avoiding is the understanding that they hate who we are.  What makes it worse is that there is no real restraint on their hatred other than the laws and justice systems that the upright have established.  Picture the monarchs who think that their will is above the laws of the common rabble.

So?  The power that will bring victory to our lives is not the rational discussions with evil but the power of God that we trust and lean on.  

Even the Little Things

Proverbs 15:9 (KJV) The way of the wicked is an abomination unto the LORD: but he loveth him that followeth after righteousness.

It is easy to associate the term “abomination” with sodomy and child abuse.  What we often forget is that God is also watching the small things of our lives, or the things that we might consider small.  Notice the mention of “way”.

A synonym for “way” might be road.  You could even wax poetical and call it a game plan.  People who live in rebellion and disobedience have a life style that reflects where they want to end up.  Daily decisions are based on their priorities.  The assumptions they make are basic.

We are expected to be different.  God has given us the knowledge and the ability to be different.

So?  Plan your way based on the holiness of God and not the current mores of our culture.  Don’t be surprised if they clash.  

Self-Selecting

Proverbs 11:20 (KJV) They that are of a froward heart are abomination to the LORD: but such as are upright in their way are his delight.

There are two words in this verse which we don’t use much today.  One would be totally misunderstood and the other is just avoided.

We avoid the word “abomination”.  I doubt if it comes into our conversations very regular, but we probably have other synonyms we use for it.  Nowadays, with the way our culture is going, we just call somebody a Nazi or a fascist.  Maybe abomination would be better.  It would certainly be more honest because an abomination to one person might be the delight of the other.  But what causes something to be an abomination in God‘s eyes?

That’s where we get to the first word, “froward”.  No, that is not a misspelling.  I’ve actually seen it used in a book in the last 10 years.  I don’t know how old the book was, but I did see it used.  It means twisted, warped, perverted.  It’s talking about the condition of your heart.  What is not made clear here, but I think is clear other places is that this twisting is a deliberate choice that you make.  There are consequences for our choices.

So?  Are you seeking a straight heart or a twisted heart?  Both of them have long-term effects.  Make sure you consider that before you get too excited about getting away with something.  God knows your heart and He knows what happens in your secret rooms. 

Abandoned

Proverbs 22:14 (KJV) The mouth of strange women is a deep pit: he that is abhorred of the LORD shall fall therein.

It seems to be saying here that some people have been abandoned by God.  In the NASB "cursed" is the word.  This would imply that before the temptation is even in front of us God has already given up on us.

What would cause that to happen?  We know that when we watch His patience with Israel that it takes a lot to make God turn against you.  Is it possible that some people, like Israel, think they can take advantage of their specialness, and flout God?

I repeat a thought I had a while back, and that is that when God chooses to curse someone, it isn’t necessarily an active curse as much as the removal of the protections that He has in place around His people.  So when a person who is defying God comes up to a situation where they would normally be used to having divine assistance, God has withdrawn His Holy Spirit and they fall into the trap.

So?  God is long-suffering.  He puts up with a lot of nonsense from us.  In spite of that, or because of it, I would suggest that we not get in the habit of pressing our luck.  

The Weight of Abomination

(Pro 20:10 KJV)  Divers weights, and divers measures, both of them are alike abomination to the LORD.

This verse reminds us of the character of God and His concept of justice and fairness.  The specific reference is to shady business practices.  It is not condemning open choices of generosity.  You might be running a produce stand and selling peanuts of $1.00 a pound.  If someone asks for a pound of peanuts you give them a pound of peanuts.  After that, if you say, “Since you are my mother I am going to throw in a few more” then you are good.  If you put your finger under the scale to give a dishonest weight, you are bad.

The justice comes in from God, not the person you cheated.  They may never know.  God will.  The principle applies in all areas of life.  It applies to the produce man, the builder, the judge and any other area of life.

So?  Give fair value.  I know you don’t want a badge saying, “I am an abomination.” 

Broader than You Think

(Pro 17:15 KJV)  He that justifieth the wicked, and he that condemneth the just, even they both are abomination to the LORD.


When we see a word like “abomination” (8441) we tend to set it over on the shelf reserved for things that we don’t need to worry about.  Sunday the pastor came across the term in another chapter in Proverbs and went off on a vector that focused on homosexuality and other sexual sins.  I will concede that those are abominations but when we limit the basket contents to that you really miss the point.

God is holy.  An abomination is just about anything that violates that holiness.  In addition to the obvious sexual perversion He adds things like having dishonest scales in business and insincere prayer.  I take this as a warning or reminder that God expects His people to do more than avoid sexual sin.  God is concerned about all of life.

So?  Don’t confine God and His concern to the areas that you probably won’t get involved in anyway.  He wants to be worshiped in all that we do. 

Attentive Ears

(Pro 28:9 KJV) He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.

If you don’t listen to God then He will not listen to you.  This is not a matter of childishness or trading.  It is the simple fact that your prayers will be totally off focus if you don’t have any idea of right or wrong.  

How did someone listen to the law?  Obviously it would involve doing a little reading yourself.  There were fewer literate people in those days so some might be limited to what they could hear from the rabbi in the synagogue.  Advice from family members would be key.  For us today this would include listening to the Holy Spirit.  There are many sources.

So?  It is not a good thing to be an “abomination” (8441).  Learn to listen.