What God Hates
6: 12-19
A proverb is a short and memorable saying designed to be our blueprint for living in the world that ADONAI has created. It is important to note that proverbs are not promises; they are generally true principles, all other things being equal.
This is the father’s ninth teaching (to see link click Aj – Proverbs for the Youth). In 6:1-19, Solomon gives us wisdom about three types of foolish men: the security (6:1-5), the sluggard (6:6-11), and the troublemaker (6:12-19). The topic here shifts from the lazy person (Be – Don’t be Lazy) to the worthless, wicked rebel. First, the description of this type of rebel; and second, six, even seven reprehensible behaviors of people who can be called agitators (6:12-15) escalated to a list of seven things God hates about them (6:16-19). Although the rebel is not named in verses 16-17, the list of deceitful body language, repulsive anti-community schemes, and actions fits him to a tee. Each abomination does not represent a different person, but functions as the behavior of a type of person called worthless in 6:12. Above all, it holds his attitude and actions up as an abomination to God. These are not descriptions of any one person, but of people who deserve the title of worthless, and whose behavior God hates.148
Seven marks of the rebel (6:12-15): A worthless person, a wicked man, goes about spewing crooked speech (6:12 ESV). The Bible looks at the sneaky, disruptive person and calls him worthless. The Hebrew is b’liyya’al, meaning without benefit, prophet, or use. The Hebrew word comes over into the B’rit Chadashah as a name for the Adversary himself; What harmony can there be between the Messiah and darkness (Second Corinthians 6:14b)? The description moves from the rebel’s corrupt sayings to his sinister sign language. How do they sin? In little acts of non-verbal communication, but with a huge impact. Signaling their deceit with a wink of an eye, a nudge of the foot, or the wiggle of their fingers (6:13 Hebrew). These are the deeds of one who is worthless and wicked. They come from perverted hearts who plot evil, and they constantly stir up trouble (6:14 NLT).
But they will be destroyed suddenly, broken in an instant beyond all hope of healing (6:15 NLT). This is the point of the proverb. It asserts a doctrine of retribution. Wicked people may cause some trouble, and they may be shifty, but they will not escape punishment. Such a saying both warns against being evil as well as comforting those who think that shifty evil people are getting away with their immoral deeds.149 In reality, nobody is getting away with anything (see my commentary on Revelation Fo – The Great White Throne Judgment). The context of the verse shows the progression of the wicked person’s actions, from crooked speech to deceitful body language, and finally to sowing conflict. Such a person should not be underestimated; his ways are not harmless, but a serious threat to those who are seeking to honor YHVH.
Seven abominations of God (6:16-19): There are six things that ADONAI hates, yes, seven that are detestable to Him (6:16 Hebrew). Verse 16 is known as a numerical saying; a typical wisdom form found prominently in Proverbs (see Proverbs 30:15, 18, 21, 24, and 29; Job 5:19; Ecclesiastes 11:2; Amos 1:6, 9, 13 and 2:1, 4, and 6; Micah 5:5). The clue to reading numerical sayings is that the focus of the message is often on the last item mentioned. The seventh example here: the person who stirs up descension in the congregation, draws together the remainder of the other descriptions.150
There is something of a contrasting parallel arrangement with the Beatitudes in Matthew 5 where seven blessed things answer these seven hated things. Moreover, the first beatitude (see The Life of Christ Db – Blessed are the Poor in Spirit for Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven) contrasts the first hated thing, and the seventh beatitude: Blessed are the peacemakers (Matthew 5:9a) with the seventh abomination.151
These are all socially destructive and anti-community activities. ADONAI longs for peace in Body, and the thrust of the biblical idea of peace is not simply the absence of overt conflict, but more so the presence of wholesome relationships. The language used here is very strong. This gives us some idea of the extent to which Ha’Shem is committed to building up the Body of Messiah. Conflict must not be allowed to fester.152
1. Haughty eyes (6:17a Hebrew): This refers to a proud look suggesting arrogant ambition. Solomon is starting at the top, and so the eyes are listed first; but they are also listed first because the pride seen in them is the opposite of the humility of wisdom. The term “haughty/high” is similarly used in Numbers 15:30 for the sin of the high hand, i.e., willful rebellion of defiant sin. Usage of “haughty eyes” in the TaNaKh is telling: it describes the pompous Assyrian invader in Isaiah 10:12-14 as well as the proud king in Dani’el 11:12. God will not tolerate anyone who thinks so highly of himself (Proverbs 21:4; Isaiah 2:11-17).
2. A lying tongue (6:17b Hebrew): This is the tongue of deception. The term is used in Jeremiah 14:14 to portray false prophets who deceive people in Psalm 109:2 to describe the deceiver who betrays – a passage that Peter applies to Judas in Acts 1:20. Deception in speech is harmful (Psalm 26:28), but in the end the truth will overcome it (12:19).
3. And hands that shed innocent blood (6:17c NIV): Solomon then moves down the body from the head to the hands. Genesis 9:6 forbids shedding human blood because people have been made in the image of God – no matter what one might think of them. But shedding innocent blood is an even greater crime. King Manasseh had filled the streets with innocent blood (Second Kings 21:16 and 24:4). Even King David was prohibited from building the Temple because he had shed much blood (First Chronicles 22:8).
4. A heart that devises wicked schemes (6:18a NIV): Appropriately, at the center of the list, is the heart, which represents the will, and here plots evil. Early on, ADONAI declared that the human heart was capable of doing this sort of thing (Genesis 6:5). Proverbs elaborates the theme by showing that the heart that schemes wickedness. Solomon will remind us later: Deceit fills the heart of those plotting evil (12:20).
5. Feet that are quick to rush into evil (6:18b NIV): Solomon now moves down the body to the feet that cannot wait to participate in evil deeds. This gives us the sense of urgency involved in the crime, emphasizing the enthusiasm for quickly following the inner compulsion. No step is spared, no second wasted, no base left uncovered in the execution of the plot. This captures the complete involvement in activities that bring pain to all concerned.
6. A false witness who pours out lies (6:19a Hebrew): Solomon returns to the theme of deception, but now focuses on perjury, or being a false witness, which is a direct violation of the Ten Words (see the commentary on Deuteronomy Bt – Do Not Give False Testimony). This character pours out lies (Psalm 40:4; Amos 2:4; Micah 1:14). The Pharisaic mitzvah on perjury, opposed to the view of the Sadducees, is stated by Josephus (Antiquities IV, 8:15), “If anyone is believed to have given false testimony, let him, if convicted, suffer the very same punishment as the one he testified against would have suffered.153
7. And the person who stirs up dissension in the congregation (6:19b Hebrew): This seventh thing God hates is the key to understanding the other six things. What He hates about haughty eyes is that their arrogance stirs up dissension and discord in the congregations of God; what He hates about a lying tongue is how its gossip and slander sow discord in the congregations of God, and so forth. ADONAI hates all discord with a passion. That’s what the word abomination means. Woe to those who split a congregation!
But God delights in unity: O how good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity (Psalm 133:1b). Messiah Himself lives in the midst of our unity. Our unity is His cross becoming real in our hearts, as we demote self for His sake and lift Him up even more. We are saying to all the divisive, selfish idols of this world, “Yeshua is Lord, and you’re not! Messiah makes life sweet, and you don’t! The Son of God brings us together, and you can’t! You have no claim on us here. We belong to the Good Shepherd, and He will have the whole world know it by our strong and joyous unity in our Savior. He who was in the form of God made Himself nothing; He humbled Himself down to our level, even down to the level of a servant, all the way down to the level of a convicted criminal. Therefore, God is delighted to lift Him up (Philippians 2:1-11 paraphrased).154 Okay, now we know how to live!
Dear heavenly Father, praise You that you are the perfect balance of steadfast love and Holy wrath. It is so wonderful to know that Your great love is eternal and nothing can separate me (John 1:12) from Your awesome love! For I am convinced that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Messiah Yeshua our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39).
It brings comfort to know that you are omniscient and knowing and guiding what happens in the future, including Messiah Yeshua’s reign for all eternity! I was watching in the night visions. Behold, One like a Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days, and was brought into His presence. Dominion, glory and sovereignty were given to Him that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will never pass away, and His kingdom is one that will not be destroyed (Daniel 7:13-14).
The secrets of men’s hearts are known to You. Your love is wise and no one can fool You by doing works that look good to people, for you see the heart and you know if the deed was done with a motive of love for You or out of selfish pride (2 Samuel 16:7). You will judge everyone in the world and Your judgement is always righteous and just. Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne. Lovingkindness and truth go before You (Psalms 89:14). You look at the heart. It is sad that many who have done miracles in your name had hard hearts of pride and they will not get into heaven. Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord!’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, didn’t we prophesy in Your name, and drive out demons in Your name, and perform many miracles in Your name?’ Then I will declare to them, I never knew you. Get away from Me, you workers of lawlessness (Matthew 7:21-23)!”
Life on this earth is only for a short wink of time. Then comes our eternal destiny, determined by the choice of who we have loved the most on earth, ourselves or you God. What is really important to do is living and loving you now, even when that brings persecution.
Being mocked and laughed at for our faith hurts; but in light of all eternity, I choose to stand for my faith in You. For I consider the sufferings of this present time not worthy to be compared with the coming glory to be revealed to us. (Romans 8:18). Trusting in You is the wisest thing anyone can do. “Do not let your heart be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me. In My Father’s house there are many dwelling places. If it were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and take you to Myself, so that where I am you may also be. (John 14:1-3). What joy it will be to live eternally in heaven with You our awesome heavenly Father, where the former things are gone, replaced with eternal joy and peace! He shall wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more. Nor shall there be mourning or crying or pain any longer, for the former things have passed away (Revelation 21:1). In Messiah Yeshua’s holy Name and power of His resurrection, Amen
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