ABOMINATIONS ARE NOT FUNNY!

(A Serious Look at Worship Offered to God)

By Bob W. Lovelace

Have you seen these frivolous church advertisements that mention "hypocrites" with somewhat of an amusing tone? They will even state that they only have a few so feel free to come and worship with them. In contrast the Bible teaches the worship a hypocrite offers is an abomination to God. The word "abomination" (tow`ebah, Hebrew 8441) is defined by Strong's Greek & Hebrew Dictionary as "… something disgusting (moral), an abhorrence." But such hypocrites actually think, "God is glad to see me here!" And have you ever thought of how "others" such as the preacher and members themselves might contribute to this polluting of worship? Also, what condition is a church in that tolerates even one hypocrite as a member? Corinth had just "one" fornicator and it says that he was lost (I Cor. 5:3-5,6:9-11), the church was "puffed up" with pride rather in tolerating such (I Cor. 5:2,7), this was polluting the whole church (I Cor. 5:6-7), and the church was not listening to what Paul had to say as an apostle (I Cor. 5:9-13). That's not so funny!

For a serious scriptural view of worship being an abomination consider the truths stated below.

ABOMINATIONS FROM THE BOOK OF PROVERBS:

The General Rule for the Righteous,

Proverbs 29:27,

"An unjust man is abominable to the righteous,

And he who is upright in the way is abominable to the wicked."

Apparently it is not this way with many, and especially in some churches today. One reason is that there is no righteousness maintained as a standard by which to contrast the abomination of the wicked. Another reason is a lack of teaching on what an abomination is. What kind of condition is one in who claims to be righteous but tolerates a hypocrite? And what has he really done when he suggests you do the same? Also, if an unjust man is to be an abomination to the righteous, then how much more so with God who is far more perfect and holy than man?

When worship offered to God is an abomination,

Proverbs 28:9,

"He that turneth away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination."

Notice, now, that this deals with one's worship! God does not listen to prayers offered by Christians if they are unrepentant and intend to go back to their sin. God knows all things (Prov.15:3); He knows when we never really meant to stop a sinful practice even though we might address Him in prayer.

Proverbs 21:27,

"The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: how much more, when he bringeth it with a wicked mind?"

In this area of worship Solomon combines the sacrifice, the item offered, with the person's thoughts and says both are an abomination to God. This certainly is not most people's idea of worship today. Perhaps far too many think they are offering acceptable worship to God in this very way when in fact they are not. Just how many do you suppose go to church with a wicked thought or plan firmly rooted in their mind? Such are just kidding themselves if they think that their worship is acceptable and does not further add to their iniquity.

Proverbs 21:3,

"To do justice and judgment is more acceptable to the Lord than sacrifice."

Without obedience the act of worship with its offering means nothing to God. Actually, it does mean something to Him because he tells us that it is an "abomination" (See I Sam. 15:22.). God simply does not desire man's worship without his willingness to obey His commandments. It is that plain and there is nothing difficult about understanding this.

WORSHIP AS SOMETHING GOD HATES (ISAIAH CHAPTER ONE):

Isaiah 1:13,

"Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting."

Each verse in this chain (1:10-18) speaks volumes on this topic. I've started with verse 13 because the word "abomination" (See introduction for Strong's definition.) is presented here once again. "Vain oblations" is translated "worthless offerings" (nasb). I think that anyone can understand "worthless." God says, "I cannot away with" which simply mean He cannot "endure" (nasb) these! They are so worthless God cannot stand them. Have you ever been around someone so worthless that you could not stand them? (See Prov. 29:27 above.) What they offer to Him is "iniquity," i.e. it is the kind of worship offered while one's life is rooted in sin.

Isaiah 1:10,

"Hear the word of the Lord, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah."

God wasn't speaking to literal Sodom and Gomorrah that were destroyed long before because of abominations; He spoke to Judah here. "Hear," suggests they were not listening as He rebuked and instructed them. When God's children are not listening, nor willing to obey His Word, and yet come to worship what are they? ________. And what is that which they offer? ________.

Next, God asks a question and then gives the right answer. He wants them to know what the answer really is!

Isaiah 1:11,

"What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me?" Says the Lord. "I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed cattle. And I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs, or goats."

Dear reader, do not be like those who refuse to hear what God says. Church members professing to be Christians will often live their lives filled with fornication, revelry, lying, stealing, covetousness, cheating against their mate or with someone else's mate, hanging out partying in clubs, using filthy language, using "recreational" drugs, slandering others, etc. (See the works of the flesh in Gal.5:19-21.) and then they come to worship and think, "God is glad to see me here!" God doesn't feel this way! The socialite preacher might fall all over them in order to serve himself, and foolish untaught members might do the same, but their worship is an abomination to God! God says He is "full," which translates (nasb) "I have had enough." The word "full" according to the NASB Dictionary Help (Hebrew 7646, NASB ~ saba or sabea [959b]) is defined as "to be sated, satisfied or surfeited: - glutted, saturated." Add to this that He says, "I take no pleasure" in their sacrifices. Yet it is just such people who think that God does delight in their presence and worship. Does He? Friend, you know the answer now for God's answer is plain. The verses from Isaiah chapter one illustrate that a person's whole life can be this way for weeks, months, and often years! And have you ever thought that perhaps "others" contribute to this in various ways?

Isaiah 1:12,

"When you come to appear before Me,

Who requires of you this trampling of My courts?"

Notice what Isaiah that which is "connected" to the abomination. The word "requires" means "to search out …by implication to strive after: - ask, beg, beseech, desire, enquire, get, make inquisition, procure, (make) request, require, seek (for) ~ Strong’s Help: baqash, Hebrew 1245. Therefore, who ever it is that has been begging them, going and getting them, making inquisition, going and seeking them and dragging them to worship hasn't got the point either! If you are one of these people who have been "falling all over" the ungodly members thinking that the best place for them is offering worship to God you'd best think again! And you need to consider your own hypocrisy! The word "trampling" mean stamp on, trample ~ Strong's Help: ramac, Hebrew 7429.

Having considered these points of application read again Isaiah 1:13:

Isaiah 1:13,

"Bring no more vain oblations; incense is an abomination unto me; the new moons and sabbaths, the calling of assemblies, I cannot away with; it is iniquity, even the solemn meeting."

Going on,

Isaiah 1:14,

"Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them."

The word "hate" means, "to hate (personal), odious, × utterly" (Strong’s Help: sane', Hebrew 8130). God says he "hates" their worship on their festival days. People think, "He's glad to see me here!" Is He? No, their worship offered is a "trouble" or "burden" (nasb) or load, and God is "weary" to bear them. The word "weary" carries the connotation of "to be (or make) disgusted" ~ Strong’s Help: la'ah, Hebrew 3811.

People (church members) who think God is glad to see them offering worship that is an abomination do not even have the faintest idea of the danger that they are really in! Nor do those who go along with them in their hypocrisy realize the danger they have put themselves in! (Read the points from I Corinthians 5 above once again.)

Isaiah 1:15,

"And when ye spread forth your hands, I will hide mine eyes from you: yea, when ye make many prayers, I will not hear: your hands are full of blood."

We've already gone over this point about their prayers being an abomination above using the verse in Proverbs. God says that He will hide his eyes from them, and refuse to hear their prayers (Also see I Peter 3:12.).

Isaiah 1:16-17,

"Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; [17] Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow."

A great part of this evil they must put away is that they've come to worship in just such a state; their worship itself is an abomination to God.

Isaiah 1:18,

"Come now, and let us reason together,"

Says the Lord,

"Though your sins are as scarlet,

They will be as white as snow;

Though they are red like crimson,

They will be like wool."

Notice that God did not say come and let's fellowship in worship. He has already made it plain that their worship does not count with Him! The Bible teaches that they and their worship is an abomination to God. The "reasoning" would a careful consideration of what God says is necessary to pleasing Him. If they do not repent and turn back to Him, with a desire to do His will, they will be eternally lost. Their worship must be offered in reverence (caution) and godly fear (Heb. 12:28).

We hope you will be interested in learning about the items of New Testament worship that are acceptable to God today through Christ the Lord. If so, you may desire to study with us about the church of Christ (Rom. 16:16; Eph. 5:23; Col.1: 18). We have mature men and women who will be delighted to contact you and study with you at a time that you so desire. You can learn more right here by reading other material, or you may send us an e-mail requesting a free Correspondence Course. We want you to come to the knowledge of the Truth, and realize that God requires your repentance and obedience to the Gospel in order for you to be saved (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; 22:16).

For your benefit here is an example from the New Testament where an individual was taught Christ and obeyed the Gospel:

Acts 8:26-40,

"And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. [27] And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, [28] Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. [29] Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. [30] And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? [31] And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. [32] The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: [33] In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. [34] And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? [35] Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus. [36] And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized? [37] And Philip said, If thou believest with all thine heart, thou mayest. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God. [38] And he commanded the chariot to stand still: and they went down both into the water, both Philip and the eunuch; and he baptized him. [39] And when they were come up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord caught away Philip, that the eunuch saw him no more: and he went on his way rejoicing. [40] But Philip was found at Azotus: and passing through he preached in all the cities, till he came to Caesarea."

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