Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Divine Hatred

"And I hated Esau"
Malachi 1:3

In the previous posting the subject was loving one's enemy. In this post the subject will be hatred. The chosen text for this study is Malachi 1:3, which can be compared with Romans ch. 9. In this verse we find God Himself stating hatred for someone. Does God hate? Yes He does. I know that some readers will be quick to point out that it is a nation God is referring to in the passage, and not a person. Correct, but that is the reason one should compare it with Romans ch. 9.
Romans 9 speaks of Divine election. God chose to love Jacob and hate Esau. This election was made prior to either man doing good or evil (Romans 9). This election occured before the foundation of the world (Eph.1). The writer is prepared to state and defend the biblical doctrine of divine sovereignty and free election, but not here, and not now. The subject of this posting is divine hatred and not election. What does it mean for God to hate something or someone? It means the opposite of loving something or someone. The biblical definition of love, as stated prior, is desiring the best for someone. The biblical definition for hatred is to oppose something or someone. In fact, the word for hate in the original language is "to oppose". When God stated His hatred for Esau (nation and/or person) He was stating His opposition. Please read Malachi 1:3-5 for God's actions in relation to His hatred.
Psalm 50:21 states, "[thou didst err when] thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself." God is not like us. He does not hate like we do. Hatred, in man, controls him. God is not controlled by anything- including hate. Man's hatred controls his actions, feelings, and thoughts. That is not so with God. When God hates it has nothing to do with emotion and everything to do with holiness, righteousness, and divine choice. People cannot conceive of God hating because they do not understand the biblical definition of divine hatred.
When we find the psalmist expressing hatred we do not find justification for ourselves to be controlled by an emotion. God Forbid. We do find warrant to oppose things ungodly.
To sum up this and the last posting one might say, "I, as a follower of Christ, must desire God's best for all people- but at the same time I must oppose all that oppose/hate God."

Buried in Christ,
St. Loder

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