In the book of Proverbs in the sixth chapter beginning at
the sixteenth verse we read,
"there are six things which G-d
hates, and seven which are an abomination to his soul."
The
first thing that comes to mind is why six, why not five, eight, or lets
say nine? If there is a number that might represent mankind I suppose it
could be the number six, for on day six G-d created man. If there are
originally seven things that G-d hates, why separate the six from the
seven? Why doesn't the scripture read, "there are seven things G-d hates
which are an abomination to his soul?"
We know that day seven in
the book of creation was appointed the day of rest. This day is to be set
apart, sanctified, and made holy. We shouldn’t imagine that the seventh
sin in this text is any worse than the previous six, however seven,
(shaba) numerically should only bring to mind good and peaceful thoughts,
anything else would be an interruption of this sanctified rest, truly a
complete and utter ABOMINATION! It would seem the proverb is alluding to
our sinful six-day period entering into the seventh day, desolating or
desecrating G-d's sanctified rest. It is so very important to know what
pleases G-d and know how to avoid his displeasure.
Let us begin
with "six things that G-d hates and seven that are a abomination to his
soul."
There are six things which G-d hates,
and seven which are an abomination to his soul : a proud look, a deceiving
tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked
thoughts, feet that are quick in running to badness, a false witness that
breathes out lies, and one that sends forth contention among
brothers.
Proverbs 6: 16-19
The first
on our list of things in which G-d hates is proud eyes.
(eynayeem ramot)That is to say the eyes
[Hebrew-eynayeem] of the mind are exalted.
[Hebrew-ramot] This individual is likely to think highly of him or
herself. They may judge others by means of an outward
appearance. They take great pains to separate themself from common folk.
They may truly feel that they are better and more deserving of good things
than others. True to the Hebrew word "ramot" they can have a superior expression to
their eyes, a facial suggestion that we should not approach them. The
Hebrew (ramot) can mean high, elevated, exalted, lofty,
glorious, majestic, superior, and proud. This sort of person make
others feel inadequate, stupid, and just plain unwelcome. In actuality
this personality disorder could be considered a direct insult to G-d. We
read in the Torah that man was created in G-d's image. By looking down on
others we are in effect looking down on the image of G-d.
(lashon sheker)The second on our list is a tongue [Hebrew -
lashon],
that lies [Hebrew - sheker 'false'] A
lie can be much more than not telling the truth, it's stealing. The theft is found
by stealing the mind of others thus creating a false reality. When G-d
created the heaven and the earth the reality of its existence was founded
upon a devine blueprint. The cosmos follows a mathmatical script in order
to function as a unified universe. The mathatical alignment of planets
provide a devine balance that is true unto itself. When an outside source
introduces a foreign element made up of inaccurate information, it runs
counter to the natural order of things and endangers its true essence.
Inaccurate information or falsehoods weekends all vessels regardless of there
makeup. Falsehood is a body without a soul or spirit. It looks real until
one leans up against it. Seeing that the falsehood is not real there is no
substance or foundation to hold it upright. This is why falsehood attaches
itself to something real or true in order to give it life. By doing so it
throws our world out of balance and weakens the devine path. This becomes
a direct threat to G-d and the peace and security of His universe. There
is no such thing as a little white lie!
(yadayeem shofchot dam nakee)The third thing in which G-d hates
is hands [Heb. yadayeem] that shed [Heb. shofchot]
innocent [Heb. nakee] blood [Heb. dam]. It's interesting the
scripture specifies the restriction of shedding " innocent blood,"
(dam naki) insinuating that not all life is innocent.
Unfortunatly, the shedding of blood is a necessary evil given the anti
social behavior that permiates our world. In order to protect life and
guarantee safe and peaceful communities a military as well as law enforcement officers made
be called upon to shed the blood of those who endanger the lives and
welfare of the innocent. It is important that we recognise that G-d hates
the shedding of "innocent blood." If we should stand by and allow the
criminal element to shed innocent blood, we become accomplices in their
criminal act.
(leb chorash machshevot)The fourth thing in which G-d hates is a
heart that devises wicked thoughts. (leb charash machshevot
aven) Sinful or wicked thoughts may come and go. G-d fully understands
this human weakness within each and every one of us. But more importantly,
G-d hates those who (machasebot) devise, plan, and skillfully
contrive wicked schemes. Another Hebrew word that is used in this
passage is (charash) to cut, engrave or to plough. One does
not engrave an emblem on a piece of material by accident. It takes design,
measurement, and a skillful hand to produce the desired effect. In like
manner ploughing a field requires hard physical labor, getting the ground
prepared for seed within a given season. This might involve getting up
early in the morning and toiling till sunset. G-d hates those who work
diligently devising mischief with the accuracy of the skillful hand of an
engraver or with the strength of the rock hard hands of a farmer. It is in
the planning and devising wicked thoughts that puts their sin in action
that troubles G-d. Moses Maimonides writes in the book, Moses
Maimonides the guide for the perplexed., "The thoughts about sin are more
dangerous than the sin itself."
(regalayim m'meharot la rutz la ra'ah)The fifth thing in which
G-d hates is feet that are quick to run to badness. regaleem
m'meharot la'rutz la'ra'ah The Hebrew word used in this scripture
describes the sinner’s ability to travel is (la rootz.) Rootz means to
rush, run, and hurry like a courier rushing to a certain designation. They
seem to be likened to a professional runner who extensively train to keep
their bodies ready for the big race. Unfortunately, the race here is a
race to sin. Most people go out of their way to avoid people or places
that lack a certain morale character. G-d's hatred is focused on those who
search for trouble and once finding its source, they run
(quickly-Hebrew Maharot) to share in the wickedness.
(chazavim ad'sheker)The sixth thing in which G-d hates is a
false and deceptive witness who brings forth lies. (chazavim
ad'sheker ) When we lie its as if our body begins to erode from
within. The lie destroys a persons self esteem and their sense of
well-being. There are some among us who are so accustomed to telling lies that
they have lost the respect of their family, friends, and co-workers. They
develope a reputation as one who cannot be trusted. When a person provides
testimony in favor of a known falsehood they strengthen the lie by two.
When two or more agree in a lie it cripples justice and endangers our
communities. Obviously, a lie has a better opportunity to be believed if
more than one person is involved in the falsehood. This dangerous tool of
the wicked encourages others to share in their deception and thereby
profiting under the allusion of truth. This is like declaring an act of
war upon G-d himself. To lie is to sin
, but to provide testimony in
favor of a known falsehood is to strengthen the lie by creating a false
reality that unknowingly enslaves the citizens within the
community.
(ma'shalach madonim bayn acheem)The seventh thing in which G-d
hates is one who in is sending forth contentions between
brothers.( m'shaleiach madonim bayin acheem ) Certainly you
have heard, "home is where the heart is". One should always feel safe
whithin his or her own home or community. Brotherhood or brothers as
represented by the Hebrew acheem serves as a sure foundation
achored by blood relation or a close common cause. Within our own house
comes the contentious family member. You may find them stirring up trouble
from within. This cancer within has the potential to spread and
destroy the close continuity that enables a family, organization, or
country to thrive and reap the joys of success. Strife and contentions
between ones brother can have devastating results. I suppose what is so
scary is never knowing where disunity may lead. There
is so much at stake when one instigates contentions among his own. If we
are unable to make peace with our own brother, our own blood, then world
peace will never be attained. Peace first begins with brotherhood. It will take
each and every one of us to assist G-d in making the earth a better place
to live, love, and survive.
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