Two opposing views of God 1. A God of love –True, but an incomplete picture –These assume God will not judge 2. A God of hate –True, but these falsely accuse Him of hatred in some circumstances (Dt. 1:27; 9:28) God hates

I God Hates Idolatry Dt. 12:31; 16:22 –“What’s wrong w. a pillar?” –Dt.7:25-26 morally repulsivedisgustingIs.44:19, abomination: to abhor, loathe, something that is morally repulsive, disgusting

Abomination impurefilthy uncleanfoul smellingMost “abomination” words “have the meaning: ‘impure,’ ‘filthy,’ and ‘unclean’ – that which is foul smelling and objectionable to a holy God” Almost nothing makes us sick quicker than a foul odor Hos.1-3

Col.3:5 CovetousnessCovetousness (greedy desire for more) –Steals trust and affection that rightly belong to God –The Catholic does not believe his saints and angels are gods, but by praying to them, and trusting in them, he gives them worship –The ultimate penalty: Ga.5:20-21

II God Hates Seven Sins, Pro.6:16-19 Proud lookProud look – only a humble heart will submit to the Lord and obey His word –The proud: “I did it my way” Pride, Dishonesty, Slothfulness –Karl Barth, three basic sins: Pride, Dishonesty, Slothfulness Lying tongueLying tongue – people make promises and then change their minds as if lying is innocent. Rv.21:8 Hands that shed innocent bloodHands that shed innocent blood (Ps.11:5)

Heart…feet…tongue… HeartHeart: devises wicked plans FeetFeet: swift in running to evil False witnessFalse witness: speaks lies Sows discord among brethrenSows discord among brethren Hb.1:8-9 (Ps.45:7) –God of OT = Christ of NT. (Hb.13:8) –Ro.12:9 –Rv.2:6, 15

III God Hates Hypocritical Worship Am.5:21-24 take no delight in I cannot stand –21, do not savor = take no delight in (ESV) ; I cannot stand (NIV) –22, the problem is not the food –23, the problem is not the song –24, a steady flow of water... Mt.5:23-24; 6:2, 5, 16 have their reward –Pharisees “have their reward” –Mk.12:40

IV God Hates Divorce, Mal.2:16 NKJV He hates divorceFor it covers one's garment with violenceNKJV: For the LORD God of Israel says That He hates divorce, For it covers one's garment with violence," Says the LORD of hosts. Therefore take heed to your spirit, that you do not deal treacherously ESVthe man who hates and divorces covers his garment with violence,ESV: For the man who hates and divorces, says the Lord, the God of Israel, covers his garment with violence, says the Lord of hosts. So guard yourselves in your spirit, and do not be faithless

ESV covers his garment w. violenceEven this reading makes divorce sinful (the guilty man covers his garment w. violence) Footnote gives the other reading Revised ESV apparently corrected this reading

Mal.2:16, Context context forbids itHebrew allows for ESV translation, but context forbids it Apparently the text suffered from scribes who wanted to “harmonize” Malachi’s teaching with Dt.24:1 or Ezr.9-10 Though the statement ‘I hate divorce’ may (and should) be understood as a comprehensive biblical principle, the immediate context suggests that the divorce in view is that of one Jewish person by another in order to undertake subsequent marriages“Though the statement ‘I hate divorce’ may (and should) be understood as a comprehensive biblical principle, the immediate context suggests that the divorce in view is that of one Jewish person by another in order to undertake subsequent marriages” (Net)

Treacherously Treacherously (faithlessly, deceitfully) 10, to sin against another person... 11, to marry foreign wives , to divorce an innocent partner 15, divorce is treachery against one’s offspring 16, divorce threatens divine institution Respect your own life, therefore, and do not break faith like this –“Respect your own life, therefore, and do not break faith like this” (JB) covering one’s garment with violence –Divorce is like covering one’s garment with violence (Ps.11:5)

NT forcefully agrees: frivolous divorce is sin 1. Stumbling block to partner, Mt.5:32 2. Disobeys direct command of Lord, Mt.19:3-6. [ ONE EXCEPTION – v.9] 3. Lack of love to children, Tit.2:4-5 –A package deal –The greatest gift Breaks marriage vows

Marriage vows keep yourself to him / her only, until death do you partWe promise and covenant before God and these witnesses to be a loyal and faithful spouse, to... “keep yourself to him / her only, until death do you part” Rv.21:8, the ultimate result of treachery in marriage

Mt.19:9, the one exception The only other sinless way to terminate a marriage: death