Part 1
INTRODUCTION
It is the amazing and profound love of God that is the most powerful force in the Cosmos and the reason people exist. The Bible declares that God is love and is infinitely loving and just (1 John 4:8-10). It is because of His love He must deal with sin, which is the breaking of His pure and perfect Law and is an affront to His character and a challenge through active rebellion against His authority.
Most religions teach, along with the Bible, that God hates and despises the iniquity of sin and holds every individual responsible for their sin (Jeremiah 44:4; Proverbs 6:16-19; Zechariah 8:17; Revelation 2:6). The Ten Commandments reflect God's holiness and justice, and when broken, have severe consequences (Exodus 20:1-17; Deuteronomy 5:4-21). God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 33:10). He must, and will, judge sinners, which includes everyone since all have sinned, for either accepting or rejecting Jesus as Lord and Savior.
The sacrificial death of Jesus was not to appease an angry, wrathful, distant deity somewhere way up there in the sky who uses pain, sorrow, suffering, or sickness to punish people. The Bible tells us that God doesn't want or need sacrifices (Jeremiah 22:23). It is fallen human beings who need them.
The Cross is the plan of God from before the foundation of the world to bring reconciliation of the universe, making peace with all things and redeeming humanity from being lost and remaining in the grip of the enemy and their sinfulness by casting down the principalities and powers that enslave and oppress them (Colossians 1:9).
The Bible says that those who do not abide by the law are under a curse. However, on the Cross, Jesus took upon Himself all curses by “becoming a curse” and offered “redemption from the curse of the law” to those who repent of sin and place their trusting-faith in Him (Galatians 3:10-14).
It is absolutely true that God is love (1 John 4:8). He is also holy and righteous, but does that mean He hates the sinner? (Psalm 5:5; Leviticus. 20:23; Proverbs 6:16-19; Hosea 9:15). Since God so loved the World (Gk: ‘cosmos’), He sent Jesus (John 3:16). Yet, at the same time, we are told that God hates sinners (all those in the world), so is He sick of some people and hates them? Isn’t that a dichotomy, or is God bipolar and untrustworthy?
Some believe that God takes His hatred of sin to actually hating, despising, and abhorring the person who disobeys and commits sin against Him. They will often quote “proof” texts that say ‘God hates sinners’ (See Leviticus 20:23; Psalm 5:5,11:5; Hosea 9:15; Romans 9:13).
When taking a look at the verses referenced, it seems a legitimate claim, but viewed from the whole perspective of Scripture, it also seems contradictory and appears to present God as a vindictive, bi-polar arrogant, and angry, psychotic entity bent on annihilating those who oppose Him by violating His law. And since “all have sinned,” God must hate everyone, including Christians, yet He is also a loving Creator who wants only the best for His children. A paradox emerges. Would God send Himself to die for people He hates or for people He loves? He commands Christians to love their neighbor in the same way they are to love Him (Mark 12:29-31). God wants every Christian to be a partaker of His Divine Nature (1 Peter 2:21). If God hates sinners, does this mean that every Christian should also hate sinners? It is no wonder that much of the world views Christians as crazy and judgmental. God says, "I do not change” (Malachi 3:6). So, which is it - does God hate or love the sinner?
Did Jesus say, “For God so hated the world” or “For God so loved the world?” (See John 3:16) The facts are that God loves lost sinners and showed His love before they believed in Jesus.
What I have been seeing and hearing in the church lately is a rising belief that God doesn’t love the sinner but actually hates them and not just their sin, which infers there is no point in asking Him for forgiveness because they are doomed. Did the Triune God send Jesus, the Son, to die for sinners because of His love for the world, but at the same time, He also hated the world?
God is not a puppet of human emotion, motivated by hurt or controlled by anger. It has been said that the God of the Old Testament was angry and mad, but the God of the New Testament is madly in love. Yet, the Bible tells us that God does not “change" (Malachi 3:6). Which is it? Does God hate the world and love the world? Isn’t that a paradox?
“My soul yearns for you in the night; in the morning, my spirit longs for you. When your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness. But when grace is shown to the wicked, they do not learn righteousness; even in a land of uprightness, they go on doing evil and do not regard the majesty of the Lord.” (Isaiah 26:9-10 NIV)
“If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters - yes, even their own life - such a person cannot be my disciple. And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.” (Luke 14:26-27 NIV)
The Greek word for "hate" is "miseo," which means to hate, pursue with hatred, to be hated and detested. After reading the two verses, it appears that hating one’s parents is in direct conflict with God's commandment to honor them. Which commandment should Christians follow?
Jesus said that Christians have to hate their Dad, Mom, sisters, brothers, and relatives, or they cannot be His disciples. However, Jesus also said, “You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother,’ and ‘love your neighbor as yourself” (Matthew 19:19 NIV). So, which is it?
God does not hate in the same way as people hate, which is generally thought of in terms of strong emotional distaste or dislike for someone or something. For God, hate is a judicial act on the part of the righteous Judge who separates the sinner from Himself. This is not contradictory to His love, for in His love for sinners, He has made it possible for sin to be forgiven so that all can be reconciled to Him.
Both the words ‘love’ and ‘hate’ are action verbs. Jesus was not saying that Christians must literally ‘hate’ their parents but that love for Him must be so overpowering and all-consuming that, in comparison with it, love for the family almost appears as ‘hate.’
In context, the use of the word "hate" is an example of hyperbole being used to emphasize the importance of a Christian prioritizing their commitment to Jesus above all. Jesus was not saying they must literally "hate" their family for the sake of the Gospel because that idea doesn’t align with the rest of the Bible.
Ancient Principles of Writing
Understanding the figurative language used in the Bible enhances the comprehension of its wisdom and profound truths, which is why it is essential to grasp the ancient principles of writing and figures of speech. Each literary device serves a distinct purpose, whether it’s to convey deeper spiritual meanings, illustrate moral lessons, or emphasize important concepts. By recognizing and interpreting these devices, readers can glean greater insights into the narratives, teachings, and themes woven throughout the biblical text.
Absoluteness
“There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him:
- haughty eyes,
- a lying tongue,
- hands that shed innocent blood,
- a heart that devises wicked schemes,
- feet that are quick to rush into evil,
- a false witness who pours out lies
- and a man who stirs up dissension among brothers.” (Proverbs 6:16-19 NIV)
God does not have a problem with literal eyes, tongues, hands, or feet, but the evil that people run to because it is rooted in pride and causes them to be haughty and arrogant. Pride is fundamentally the idolatry of worshipping ‘self’ and anything other than God. Every sin emanates from pride. It is what keeps a person from experiencing all that God has for them. It kept Adam and Eve out of the Garden of Eden. It caused satan to be cast out of Heaven, and it will keep the Christian from entering into deep intimacy with eternal Love Himself. When a person admits they are a sinner and receives Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior, the gates of Heaven are opened to them as they become a Born-Again child of God.
God also hates the lies of a false witness. It is the lying behavior that He hates, and the one who engages in it is put in place of the actual lies. Similarly, God loves sinners and does not hate them.
“They provoked me to anger by burning incense and by worshiping other gods that neither they nor you nor your fathers ever knew. Again and again, I sent my servants the prophets, who said, 'Do not do this detestable thing that I hate!' (Jeremiah 44:3-5 NIV)
The word "hate" is another example of ‘extreme language,’ which is the language of absoluteness to express a preference and is used in Eastern culture for even moderate relationships. It can also refer to disattachment, indifference, or nonattachment without any feelings of revulsion involved. The only word that can express approval is 'love,' which is the complete opposite. The word is even used to refer to Abraham to casual acquaintances.
“No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” (Luke 16:13 NIV)
Fallen human beings often attribute their personal feelings and emotions to God's words in an attempt to lower Him to their level. In doing so, they are actually making their thoughts God's thoughts, and their ways, His ways. Human feelings originate in the fallen human heart, which the Bible describes as "deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked" (Jeremiah 17:9 NIV).
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV)
The Bible also says God "hates ALL who work iniquity" and “ALL have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God (Psalm 5:5; Romans 3:23 NIV – emphasis mine)
“We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6 NIV)
Action Verbs
Love and hate are action verbs. It was common among the Hebrews to use the terms ‘love’ and ‘hate’ in a comparative sense, where the former implies strong positive attachment, and the latter, not hatred but merely less love or the withholding of the expressions of affection (See Genesis 29:30-31; Proverbs 13:24).
As an example, when Jesus said, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers, and sisters - yes, even their own life - such a person cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26 NIV). When Jesus also said, "No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise [hate] the other,” He was saying, ‘You cannot serve two masters, you will prefer one over the other” (Matthew 6:24 NIV).
“And now, dear lady, I am not writing you a new command but one we have had from the beginning. I ask that we love one another. And this is love: that we walk in obedience to his commands. As you have heard from the beginning, his command is that you walk in love.” (2 John 1:5-6 NIV)
The Bible tells us that ‘love’ is how Christians are to “walk” regardless of human emotion. God's ‘hate’ is so high above human love that it can change their ways.
“The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.” (1 Timothy 1:14-15 NIV)
Allegory
Allegory is a narrative in which characters and events symbolize deeper spiritual truths or moral lessons. The Parable of the Sower in Matthew is an allegory where the different types of soil represent the varying responses of people to the message of the Kingdom of God (v.13:1-23)
Anthropomorphism
Anthropomorphism is the practice of attributing human characteristics to God or other divine beings, which serves to make the divine more relatable and accessible to human understanding.
“He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge.” (Psalm 91:4)
Euphemism
Euphemism involves substituting a mild or indirect expression for one that may be considered harsh or unpleasant. God told Abraham that he would “go to his ancestors in peace” instead of explicitly stating that he would die (Genesis 15:15). This euphemism softens the harsh reality of death.
Hyperbole
Hyperbole is the deliberate use of exaggeration for emphasis and/or effect and is employed by biblical authors to underscore the gravity of certain teachings and commands. Jesus uses hyperbolic language to emphasize the seriousness of avoiding sin.
“If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away… And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away.” (Matthew 5:29-30)
Hyperbole is typically used in both ancient and modern Semitic cultures. It is defined as an obvious and intentional exaggeration or an extravagant statement or figure of speech not intended to be taken literally. The Semitic mindset is dogmatic in the extreme and despises doubt, even in casual relationships. Things are either absolutely extreme, one way or another, black or white, or they are not; there is no room in the middle for introspection or moderate relationships.
“Jacob made love to Rachel also, and his love for Rachel was greater than his love for Leah. And he worked for Laban another seven years.“ (Genesis 29:30-1 NIV)
When Rachel saw that she was not bearing Jacob any children, she became jealous of her sister and said to Jacob, “Give me children, or I’ll die!”
“When the Lord saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb, but Rachel was barren.” Genesis 29:31 NIV)
The use of the word "hated" is used synonymously with one who is loved less. If Jacob hated Leah in a literal way, it is hard to believe that he would take her as his wife (See also Judges 14:16 and Deuteronomy 21:15-17).
God “is not willing that anyone should perish, but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). The Bible makes several references to God’s hatred of sin and unrighteousness and not individuals. While the Bible is considered the inspired and inerrant Word of God, not every single word or detail in it was directly dictated by God. It is essential to note that King David wrote these words, not that God dictated them directly. Therefore, when reading the Old Testament, it is crucial to identify the speaker.
“All their wickedness is in Gilgal, for there I hated them. Because of the evil of their deeds, I will drive them from My house” (Hosea 9:15 NIV)
“‘Let none of you think evil in your heart against your neighbor, and do not love a false oath, for all these are things that I hate,’ says the Lord.” (Zechariah 8:17 NIV)
“You must not live according to the customs of the nations I am going to drive out before you. Because they did all these things, I abhorred them.” (Leviticus 20:23 NIV)
While the Bible is considered the inspired and inerrant Word of God, not every single word or detail in it was directly dictated by God.
God does not want the death of the wicked,
"…He takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked." (Ezekiel 33:10 NIV)
If God hates all who work iniquity, and Christians desire to be like God, then, according to the verses quoted, they should genuinely hate sinners. I think most Pastor/Teachers would not recommend that their congregation hate people, but rather, love them and treat them kindly by turning the other cheek (Luke 6:27-29). They should pray for them, even while they are murdering you, just as Stephen did (1 Timothy 2:1; Acts 7:16).
God wants Christians to be partakers of His Divine Nature, so does that mean they should pray for people if He hates ALL who work iniquity? (1 Peter 2:21) If His Divine Nature is to hate sinners, then it is perfectly acceptable to bless sinners outwardly while hating their guts inwardly. After all, God is angry with the wicked every day./s
How can a person reconcile the Bible verses that seem to suggest God hates sinners but loves them at the same time? The science of Hermeneutics is the methodology used to study and interpret (exegete) the Bible by discovering the intended meaning of a given text through careful and systematic analysis of the grammar used in the original language and its meaning within the historical context.
“But Abraham said, ‘They have Moses and the Prophets; let them hear them.” (Luke 16:29 ESV)
The literal truth is that they did not have the Torah and the Prophets but had their writings. When a person applies these principles to studying Scripture, they will see that the original meaning is not a contradiction of other verses in the Bible, such as God “hating sinners,” because they will recognize that the word “sinner” is actually used in place of the concept of sin. Or, when they read a Scripture that says God hates “a false witness who speaks lies” (Proverbs 6:19), they will understand that God hates the lies, and the one who is doing the lying (the cause) is put in place of the lies (the effect).
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the Lord. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9 NIV)
Christians cannot attribute their emotional psychology, which stems from the pride of the human heart, to the Word of God. That is making their thoughts God's thoughts and their ways, His ways. The Bible says the heart is "deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked” (Jeremiah 17:9 NIV).
The important thing to bear in mind is that God cannot possibly 'hate' any human being. He loves them so much that He sent Jesus to die for them. He would have done so if they were the only person who had ever lived.
Irony
Irony involves expressing the opposite of what is expected or intended, often for humorous or emphatic effect. During the showdown between Elijah and the prophets of Baal, Elijah mocked the prophets, saying:
“Shout louder! Surely he is a god! Perhaps he is deep in thought, or busy, or traveling. Maybe he is sleeping and must be awakened.” (1 Kings 18:27 NIV)
Metaphor
A metaphor is a figure of speech that equates one thing with another, and it is a powerful tool used in the Bible to convey deeper truths.
“I am the door of the sheep.” (John 10:7 NIV)
This metaphorical statement highlights Jesus as the exclusive means of access to salvation and protection for Christians, underscoring the intimacy of the relationship between He and His followers.
Metonymy
A “metonymy” is a figure of speech in which one word or phrase is substituted for another and defined as a figure by which one name or noun is used instead of another, to which it stands in a certain relation. An example of the principles of metonymy, as well as from modern vernacular, are explained by studying the context and subject matter. An example of metonymy in the Bible is God “hating sinners.” The person (sinner) is metonymically put in place of the offending activity. This type of figure of speech must be recognized to understand the Word of God clearly (Genesis 25:23; 2 Kings 6:5; Psalm 5:9; Lamentations 3:7; Amos 4:6; Nahum 2:3; Matthew 10:34; Luke 24:27).
Some say that God only hates the sin but loves the sinner, which is true, but the Bible also speaks contrary to that. In the story of the rich man and Lazarus, the rich man dies and is in torment and anguish from the flames. He begs for someone to be sent to his five brothers to warn them. The response is a metonymy.
“For you are not a God who is pleased with wickedness; with you, evil people are not welcome. The arrogant cannot stand in your presence. You hate all who do wrong; you destroy those who tell lies. The bloodthirsty and deceitful you, Lord, detest.” (Psalm 5:4-6 NIV)
Oxymoron
An oxymoron is a figure of speech that combines contradictory terms for emphasis or effect. Jesus said, “Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:39 NIV)
Parable
A parable is a brief story used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. Jesus told the Parable of the Prodigal Son to teach about God’s forgiveness and the restoration of the repentant sinner (Luke 15:11-32)
Personification
Personification is the act of attributing human characteristics to non-human entities or abstract concepts, which adds depth and relatability to biblical passages.
“Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?” (Proverbs 8:1)
This personification animates wisdom, depicting it as an active and compelling force that calls and invites people to embrace its guidance and insights.
Rhetoric and Exaggeration
The principles of rhetoric and exaggeration are typically found in ancient inscriptions and writings, and their purpose needs to be understood when the language used seems embellished and absurd.
“But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!” (Luke 13:27 NIV)
God hates ‘all’ because they are “evildoers.” Yet, He also loves them, which appears to be a contradiction. However, ancient Semitic people understood exactly how love/hate statements were intended according to their language traditions.
The linguistic expression of hatred is intentionally strong as an exaggerated expression of moral antipathy, and there is no idea of malice implied (See Matthew 6:24; Luke 14:26). The word ‘love’ is also used as a linguistic exaggeration, common to Hebrews of the time, but is an expression of preference which does not necessarily imply a visceral emotional reaction.
“For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.” (2 Corinthians 5:14 NIV)
Every person on the planet is dead in sin. However, “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly” because of His limitless and great love (Romans 5:6 NIV).
The grace of God is “poured out” “abundantly” and comes from the Greek word “huperpleonazó,” which means to ‘super abound.’ The love of God extends far beyond human understanding and comprehension, because it transcends all imposed emotional limitations. God's goodness and love are exponentially beyond what is merely good or loving; even His hate is far greater than any evil that proceeds from a person's heart. God’s grace is based on a love that cannot be contained, so it overflows and exceeds any perceived limit.
The Bible makes it clear that the expression of ‘hate’ for the sinner by God means He does not favor the sinner to remain in sin, so He destroys the sinner by creating a new person when they repent of their sin and receives Jesus as Lord and Savior (See 2 Corinthians 5:17). When the Triune God chose to send Jesus to redeem every human being and save them from sin, it was the ultimate act of hatred and rejection of sin.
Symbolism
Symbolism in the Bible involves using objects, actions, or events to represent deeper meanings or truths. In the book of Genesis, the story of Abraham’s sacrifice of Isaac is rich in symbolism (Genesis 22:1-14). The ram caught in the thicket serves as a symbol of substitutionary atonement, foreshadowing the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross.
Synecdoche
Synecdoche is a figure of speech in which a part is used to represent the whole or vice versa. The Lord’s Prayer says, "Give us this day our daily bread" (Matthew 6:11). The word "bread" represents all of a person's physical needs and sustenance. While on the Cross, Jesus quoted the first verse of the Messianic Psalm, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46; see Psalm 22:1). By doing so, He not only became the once and for all sin-bearer and final sacrifice but also fulfilled a prophecy that King David had foretold. The word "forsaken" (Gk: 'egkataleipódoes') does not mean to abandon in a context where God removes His presence (see Psalm 9:9-10,37:28-29,71:10-11).
The term “God” is used to refer to the divine Trinity as a whole. who did not turn their back on Jesus, nor will the triune God turn His back on Christians. Jesus could not have been separated from the divine Godhead because only God could pay the perfect price. If that were possible, it would have negated the divinity of Jesus. As Scripture says, "Where shall I go from your Spirit? Or where shall I flee from your presence? If I ascend to heaven, you are there! If I make my bed in Sheol, you are there!" (Psalm 139:7-8 ESV)
When Jesus quoted Psalm 22, He used a common teaching method known as 'Remez,' that every Jew and Rabbi would understand. The word "Remez" originates from a family of Semitic languages that includes Hebrew, Arabic, Aramaic, and other ancient languages such as Phoenician and Akkadian, and means "hint" or "recalling to the mind something that everyone would know and understand without needing further explanation." It is a kind of mental shorthand used to memorize Scripture.
The Gospels use 'Remez' words and phrases over 300 times. For example, the words "daily bread" in the Lord's Prayer is a 'Remez' back to the daily Manna in the wilderness (Matthew 6:11).
When a Rabbi would say the first line of a well-known Scripture verse, every Jew would immediately understand the context to declare God Almighty's perfect power, love, and total control over what was happening. The Jews understood that Jesus was saying His crucifixion fulfilled that Messianic Prophecy. When Jesus spoke His last words on the Cross, "It is Finished," He also quoted the last words of Psalm 22, "He has done it!" (John 19:30; Psalm 22:31 ESV). Jesus used two 'Remez' references to the first and last phrases of Psalm 22, which suggests He intended a 'Remez' understanding of His previous words by referencing the Psalms twice.
The simple truth is that God has NEVER "hidden his face from him…" or turned His back on Jesus, nor was He ever forsaken (Psalm 22:24). Jesus made it clear that the Father and the Holy Spirit were in perfect and total control and right there with Him, never forsaking Him, or turning their back on Him, loving and nurturing Him till His last human breath.
What About Esau?
The verse that is most often quoted to support that God hates people is when He spoke to Malachi and said,
“‘I have loved you,’” “But you ask, ‘How have you loved us?’ ‘Was not Esau Jacob’s brother?’ The Lord responded, “Yet I have loved Jacob, but Esau I have HATED, and I have turned his mountains into a wasteland and left his inheritance to the desert jackals’” (Malachi 1:2-3 NIV – also Romans 9:10-13 - emphasis mine).
The English word ‘hate’ originates from the Hebrew word ‘sane,’ which can also be translated as "scorn," "slight," or "be an enemy of," and represents an emotion ranging from intense hatred to a much weaker sense of being set against. It is used throughout the Old Testament for persons and things, including ideas, words, and inanimate objects (See Genesis 37:4,8,11,18; Psalm 5:5-6; 11:5; Hosea 9:15; Malachi 1:2-3).
One special use of ‘sane’ is ingressive, indicating the initiation of the emotion jealousy and covers other emotions ranging from "bitter disdain" to outright "hatred" (See Genesis 37:4,8,11,18; 2 Samuel 13:15; Jeremiah 12:8; Hosea 9:15). In a weaker sense, ‘sane’ signifies "being set against" something (See Exodus 18:21). It may also indicate that someone is untrustworthy (See Genesis 26:27).
The word ‘sane’ may also mean "unloved" in the sense of deteriorating marital relations (See Deuteronomy 22:16). This nuance is especially clear where the verb is in synonymous parallelism to "alienated" (Ezekiel 23:28). In the case of two wives in a family, in which one was preferred over the other, it may be said that one was ‘loved’ and the other ‘hated’ (See Genesis 29:31; Deuteronomy 21:15; 2 Samuel 13:15; Jeremiah 12:8; Hosea 9:15). In a weaker sense, ‘sane’ signifies "being set against" something (See Exodus 18:21).
The Greek translation of ‘sane’ in the New Testament is the word “miseo,” which means a strong aversion, intense dislike or rejection, which can include hatred. It is often used to describe personal enmity or hostility between individuals or groups, and in context, it refers to both human emotions and divine attitudes.
The book of Romans confirms that loving Jacob and hating Esau was completely related to which one God chose. The prophet Malachi, as well as the Apostle Paul, used the name “Esau” to refer to the Edomites, who were the descendants of Esau. Isaac and Rebekah had two sons, Esau and Jacob. God chose Jacob (renamed ‘Israel’) to be the father of His chosen people, the Israelites. God rejected Esau (called “Edom”). Yet, Esau and his descendants, the Edomites, were in many ways blessed by God (See Genesis 33:9; 36). Hundreds of years after Jacob and Esau died, the Israelites and Edomites became bitter enemies. The Edomites often aided Israel’s enemies in attacks on Israel.
To hate someone is to count and treat them as an enemy. Hatred is not primarily an emotion but a covenant action. Those who treat God as an enemy will find that God treats them in the same way. Since they are His enemies, He will destroy them. This is not about God hating a sinner. According to the Bible, God had made a decision about Esau and Jacob without them "having done any good or evil" (Romans 9:11 NIV).
It is essential to understand how ancient people spoke in order to comprehend the meaning of God's prophetic words. When studying the Bible, it is also essential to examine the context of a verse or passage. Words can only mean what the original author intended them to mean in their grammatical and historical context. It has been said that if you remove the context from the text, you will be conned!
God employed linguistic hyperbole to make a powerful and precise rhetorical point. It has nothing to do with the human emotions of love and hate and everything to do with God choosing one man and his descendants and rejecting another man and his descendants. God chose Abraham out of all the men in the world and his son Isaac instead of Abraham’s son Ishmael. God made a choice, and by action, He loved Jacob (by choosing him) and hated Esau (by not choosing him). This verse has nothing to do with lustful human hatred from a deeply wicked heart. God's "love" toward Jacob and "hate" toward Esau was manifested at the proper time.
“Once when Jacob was cooking some stew, Esau came in from the open country, famished. He said to Jacob, “Quick, let me have some of that red stew! I’m famished!” (That is why he was also called Edom. Jacob replied, “First sell me your birthright.” “Look, I am about to die,” Esau said. “What good is the birthright to me?” But Jacob said, “Swear to me first.” So he swore an oath to him, selling his birthright to Jacob. Then Jacob gave Esau some bread and some lentil stew. He ate and drank, and then got up and left. So Esau despised his birthright.” (Genesis 25:29-34 NIV)
Esau went to his father Issac, the son of Abraham, and said, “Isn’t he rightly named Jacob? This is the second time he has taken advantage of me: He took my birthright, and now he’s taken my blessing!” (Genesis 27:36 NIV) Esau did not literally ‘despise’ and ‘hate’ his true birthright, but he did ‘hate’ it in the sense that he chose Jacob's food over it. Esau actually wanted his birthright and grieved over the loss of it.
The Bible makes it clear that God "loved" Jacob and "hated" Esau. However, Jacob stole Esau's rights and blessing. Then he ran far away because Esau, in his human way, was angry with Jacob and swore to kill him. One day the Lord said to Jacob: "Go back to the land of your fathers and to your relatives, and I will be with you" (Genesis 31:3 NIV).
If God truly ‘hated’ Esau, then why did He send Jacob back to him and promise Jacob a blessing, which was bowing to Esau seven times and being reunited with Him? (See Genesis 33:3)
God is nothing like fallen human beings. His ways are not their ways but are higher than their ways. His thoughts are not like their thoughts but are higher. Even His so-called "hate" is "love" compared to weak human emotional hatred shown to their enemies.
“God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life." (John 3:16 NIV)
The word "so" is translated from the Greek word ‘houtós’ which is defined as ‘in this way or manner.’ For God ‘in this way’ “so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son” just as He "hated" Esau in the manner of choosing Jacob instead.
The book of Romans confirms that loving Jacob and hating Esau was wholly related to which of them God chose. The prophet Malachi, as well as the Apostle Paul, used the name “Esau” to refer to the Edomites, who were the descendants of Esau. Isaac and Rebekah had two sons, Esau and Jacob. God chose Jacob (renamed ‘Israel’) to be the father of His chosen people, the Israelites. God rejected Esau (called “Edom”). Yet, Esau and his descendants, the Edomites, were in many ways blessed by God (See Genesis 33:9; 36).
This is not about God hating a sinner. According to the Bible, God had made a decision about Esau and Jacob without them "having done anything good or bad" (Romans 9:11b NIV).
Hundreds of years after Jacob and Esau died, the Israelites and Edomites became bitter enemies. The Edomites often aided Israel’s enemies in attacks on Israel. Esau’s descendants brought God’s curse upon themselves.
“May nations serve you and peoples bow down to you. Be lord over your brothers, and may the sons of your mother bow down to you. May those who curse you be cursed and those who bless you be blessed.” (Genesis 27:29 NIV)
God hated the deeds of the Nicolaitans (See Revelation 2:6). Yet, Jesus is not a God of hate but of “love” (1 John 4:8,16). However, because He is also perfectly true, righteous, and holy, He must hate evil because it is the opposite of everything He is.
The Bible tells us that anyone who has not repented and received Jesus as Lord and Savior is already condemned under God's holy anger against sin (John 3:17). He takes no pleasure in the death of the lost. Because God is love, He has provided the way to salvation from sin and condemnation through Jesus, who died in our place. However, He will judge those who reject Jesus (Romans 3:23).
God proved His love by sending Jesus to walk among mankind and die in their place (John 3:16). He now reaches out in tender affection with nail-pierced hands, most purely and intimately. The verses quoted are examples of hyperbole, as noted previously, and is a form of exaggerated language used to make a very strong and specific rhetorical point. It has nothing to do with the human emotions of love and hate and everything to do with God choosing one man and his descendants and rejecting another man and his descendants.
It is vital to realize that it was David who said God hates the workers of iniquity and the wicked (Psalm 5:5; 11:5;17; 139:21-22), and it was Solomon who said that God hates the feet that make haste to run to evil the sacrifices, ways, and thoughts of the wicked (Proverbs 6:18; 15:8-9,26), and Hosea pointed out that as the people began to sin so horribly, God started showing that He hated them for the wickedness of their doings, but not for who they are. These verses were not “Thus saith the Lord!”
