Day 18: Absolute Truth from God’s Word – Even Though God Is Love, God Does Hate

In our culture, the concepts of love and hate have been skewed and misunderstood. Today's prevailing message is that love is always good, and hate is inherently evil. Tolerance is often celebrated as the ultimate virtue, while intolerance is viewed as an unforgivable flaw. But what does God’s Word say about love, hate, and tolerance? Let us dive into Scripture to uncover the truth.

The Biblical Principle: God’s Love and God’s Hate

The Bible declares that God is love (1 John 4:8), but it also reveals that God hates certain things. This may seem paradoxical to the modern mind, yet it is a profound truth. Consider these Scriptures:

• Genesis 25:28: "And Isaac loved Esau, because he did eat of his venison: but Rebekah loved Jacob."

• Romans 9:10-14: “And not only this; but when Rebecca also had conceived by one, even by our father Isaac; (For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth;) It was said unto her, The elder shall serve the younger. As it is written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated. What shall we say then? Is there unrighteousness with God? God forbid.”

• Proverbs 6:16-19: "These six things doth the LORD hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him: A proud look, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, And heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, A false witness that speaketh lies, and he that soweth discord among brethren."

These passages illustrate that God’s love and hate are rooted in His divine justice, holiness, and purpose. God’s love is perfect, and so is His hate. He does not hate arbitrarily or capriciously but righteously and purposefully. For example, God hated Esau not because of who Esau was, but because Esau represented rebellion and disregard for God’s covenant purposes. Conversely, God loved Jacob, not because Jacob was inherently good, but because Jacob aligned with God’s redemptive plan.

Love and Hate in Human Relationships

Genesis 25:28 shows Isaac loved Esau for his venison, while Rebekah loved Jacob. Isaac’s love was based on a personal preference, but God’s love for Jacob was based on His sovereign will. Was Isaac wrong to love Esau? Perhaps not, but Isaac’s love contrasts sharply with God’s perspective. This raises the question: Do we love what God loves, and do we hate what God hates?

The Danger of Misplaced Love and Tolerance

Modern society often reverses God’s standards. The world teaches us to love what God hates and tolerate what God finds detestable. Tolerance has become a celebrated virtue, but we must ask ourselves: What are we tolerating?

Proverbs 6:16-19 lists specific things that God hates: pride, deceit, violence against the innocent, wicked imaginations, mischief, false witness, and discord. How often does our culture normalize or even celebrate these behaviors? What one generation tolerates, the next generation accepts, and what that generation accepts, the subsequent loves. Conversely, what one generation tolerates today may have been hated by the previous generation.

A Practical Application: Aligning with God’s Heart

As followers of Christ, we are called to love what God loves and hate what God hates. This is not a license for unrighteous anger or personal vendettas but a call to align our hearts with God’s values. Jesus said in John 15:19, "If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you."

This means we will often stand in opposition to the values of the world. If the world loves us, it may indicate that we have compromised. On the other hand, if we are hated for standing on God’s truth, we are in good company with Christ Himself.

Reflection Questions

1. What in today’s culture does the world love that God hates? How are you personally navigating these challenges?

2. Are there areas in your life where you have tolerated sin that God calls abominable?

3. How can you grow in loving what God loves and hating what God hates without falling into self-righteousness?

Conclusion

Understanding that God’s love and hate coexist in perfect harmony helps us navigate the moral and spiritual confusion of our time. While God is love, He also hates sin and anything that opposes His holy nature. As His people, we are called to reflect His character by loving righteousness and hating evil. Let us not be conformed to the world’s ever-changing values but be transformed by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2), standing firm on the absolute truth of God’s Word.