What Does God Hate?

As Moses gives his last instructions to Israel, he tells them in Deuteronomy 16 that they should never set up Asherah poles for worship…because God hates them.  Asherah poles were dedicated to worshiping the fertility goddess, Asherah.  Let’s just say pornography didn’t start in the 20th century. It’s an ancient abomination.  

So God hates when we worship other gods.  What else does he hate?   The next chapter says he detests when Israel brings sick or defective animal sacrifices. He demands the best. Are we offering our best? Or do we offer half-hearted sacrifices of our time and money?

Proverbs 6 gives us a list of the seven things God hates most:

1. Haughty eyes

2. A lying tongue

3. Hands that kill the innocent

4. A heart that plots evil 

5. Feet that race to do wrong

6. A false witness who lies

7. A person who stirs up conflict in a community

Moses goes on to tell the people that some day they may desire to have a king. That king should be a man God chooses. He is not to accumulate wealth or wives because both will turn his heart from God. And to keep his heart after God, he should write God’s instructions on a scroll and read them daily. 

There’s our key! In order to obey God, we have to know his instructions. And then we should read them daily. They’re all written in His Word. The only way to avoid doing the things God hates is to READ THE BIBLE DAILY. 

I don’t want to do the things God hates. Do you?

God, help us! We want to obey You and Your Word that You’ve given us. Let it guide us with its light. Let it keep us from evil. Tie it about our neck and foreheads so we’re constantly aware of it. We want to please You, God! Keep us from the things You hate. In Jesus’ name, amen.