Abomination?

Many of us have heard the term “abominable snowman”.  The term describes a creature, fictional or not, that lives in the Himalayan mountains or somewhere there about.  But the most famous “abominable snowman” is the one from the Christmas classic, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”.  This snowman strikes terror in the hearts of Rudolph and his friends.  This was my first introduction to the word “abominable”.  The word of God uses this word several times in the Old Testament.  Two of those times are found in Proverbs 15:8-9:

The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
But the prayer of the upright is His delight.  9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord,
But He loves him who follows righteousness.

We are told that the sacrifice of the wicked and the way of the wicked are an abomination to the Lord.  The word “abomination” means an intense aversion or loathing.  I don’t know about you, but I’d rather not have God look at me with a loathing or an intense aversion.  Yet, we read that sacrifices, obedient religious behavior, is loathed by God when the sacrifice is offered by the wicked.  This is a consistent theme throughout the Old Testament seen in the life of Saul and the prophet Malachi just to name two.

I’d like to sign up for the other team, the upright and the one who follows righteousness.  I’d like the words “delight” and “love” to be associated with how God looks at me.  Any takers?  Proverbs sets up this contrast to remind us that there are consequences for wickedness.  But wicked can be made righteous.  How?

Well, in “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” the abominable snowman was tamed by having a hurting tooth pulled.  That’s all it took.  For us, it’s not about the teeth but it is about Jesus.  We go from wicked to righteous through the person and work of Jesus Christ.  We can go from being an abomination to being a delight simply by trusting in Jesus and then following Him.  That’s the way I want to choose…how about you?

In wisdom,
Eric