In Proverbs Chapter 6, there is a list of things God hates.  If you are keeping score at home, the writer starts with six…and then adds a bonus seventh.

¹⁶ There are six things the Lord hates—
      no, seven things he detests:
 ¹⁷ haughty eyes,
      a lying tongue,
      hands that kill the innocent,
 ¹⁸ a heart that plots evil,
      feet that race to do wrong,
 ¹⁹ a false witness who pours out lies,
      a person who sows discord in a family.    Proverbs 6:16-19

If you are thinking Wait a minute,  I thought God loved everyone?   I thought the only people who talked about God hating anything were crazy religious protesters?    Does God HATE certain people?  Were those nuts right after all?

Here’s the good news.   All of the above list…all of the stuff God Hates (S.G.H. for short) is based on actions.  To be more precise, God loves people so much, that he hates to see them hurt by other people who kill, lie, slander, or cause fights in Families.  God especially hates haughtiness (pride) because of the fall that it leads to .  God loves Sinners, but he hates the damage and pain that sin causes.

The Apostle Paul said it this way in his letter to the new Christians in Rome: 

⁸ But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners.  Romans 5:8

Or, as Vince Antonucci says:  

“God loves you just the way you are.  He just loves you to much to allow you to stay like that.” 

 There is loads more great wisdom in chapter six of the ‘verbs.  I hope you are checking it out for yourself…

We’re reading a chapter per day from the Book of Proverbs during the month of January. Chapter 5 is the beginning of a series of three chapters where the writer  (King Solomon) serves up some straight talk about sex, money, and success in life.   Some of the passages remind me of awkward (but really valuable) conversations I have had with my Dad over the years.

Here’s some stuff to remember as we read the next few chapters.

1.  Solomon had 500 wives and concubines.  This made God really angry at him, and his kingdom (and family) totally disintegrated after his death due to the mess he created.   You can read his warnings against prostitutes and promiscuous women as being hypocritical…or as being from someone really experienced in the pain that comes from having a lack of control sexually.

2.  So Dudes…seriously…chapters 5,6,7 are raw, real…and is some of the best advice you will find in scripture.  Take them to heart:   

 Drink water from your own well—
      share your love only with your wife

  Why spill the water of your springs in the streets,
      having sex with just anyone?
 You should reserve it for yourselves.
      Never share it with strangers.

 Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you.
      Rejoice in the wife of your youth.  Proverbs 5:15-18

3.   Ladies…I know this section seems to portray all women as being immoral and scheming.  Remember that Solomon was talking to his sons specifically in this scripture. Also, he puts great value on “the wife of your youth” (even though he must have had trouble remembering which one of his 500 wives was “the wife of his youth).  Finally, whenever Solomon describes wisdom he always uses Feminine pronouns…wisdom is always described as a woman.   If you want to make these chapters relevant to women…just replace “immoral woman” or “prostitute” with “Bad Boy”.   :-)

Wisdom: Raw.

Everyone should try it.

I hope you take the time to read Proverbs Chapter 3 today.  Spending time in “the ‘verbs” is so rewarding be cause EVERY DAY you will read something valuable and relevant to your life.  Some days…like today…there is just so much great stuff…sort of a Monday smorgasbord of wisdom.

Here’s some of the highlights:

The Best way to live life:  Proverbs 3:5-6

How to be financially secure:  Proverbs 3:9-10

How to be a good neighbor and friend  Proverbs 3:27-28

So much good stuff in Proverbs 3. 

  What was the part that meant the most to you today?