Does God Hate?

Most often when we talk about that God, we talk about Him as love, but rarely do we ever talk about the side of Him that hates.  In fact hate and God seem to be total opposites, but are they?  I learned early on with my wife that my ignorance about what she dislikes is a mistake, and in her case, I have no excuses. So, why not know what God dislikes, and avoid those things He hates?  

Ezekiel says He hates the death of the wicked, which means He wants everyone to come into a knowledge of salvation, even those we would say "good riddance."  

Ezekiel 33:11 11Say to them, As I live, declares the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways, for why will you die, O house of Israel? How about when we think we are honoring God with our worship services?  Do you think He is pleased?  Isaiah 1:14  14Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hates; they have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. Amos 5:21  21“I hate, I despise your feasts, and I take no delight in your solemn assemblies. God hates when we cheat, and rob from people, whether it is possessions, or dignity. Isaiah 61:8  8 For I the LORD love justice; I hate robbery and wrong; I will faithfully give them their recompense, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them. God hates dishonesty period Revelation of John 2:6  6Yet this you have: you hate the works of  the Nicolaitans, which I also hate. Here is a list you should also pay attention to, because God summerizes His hatred for these things. Proverbs 6:16-19 16There are six things that the LORD hates, seven that are an abomination to him:  17 haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood,  18 a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil,  19 a false witness who  breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers. Does God hate?  Of course, and if you are made in His image, with the capacity to love, you also have the capacity to hate.  However, our hatred is misdirected.  Our hate is toward people, because we don't like something they did, or the nature of their ethnicity, or the gender they were created.  Hatred misplaced is sinful and will destroy the person doing the hating, which results in an inward destruction. But hatred for sin or hatred for the things God hates, I think justifies the emotion of hate.  It is also a good thing to know that God has the ability to forgive the things He hates us doing and that is the good news. It's one thing to know the things He hates, and it's another to know He does forgive us at the same time. Thinking about the things God hates is a great exercise in knowing His heart, what He thinks is important in how we treat others, and live out our lives. It is also important to know some of the things He hates has to do with how we worship Him.  If we are dishonest in our lives all week, and then plan to gain His favor by attending church, think again.  This prompted Him to hate the worship of the Jews in some of the verses listed above. God is ultimate love, mercy and forgiveness, but there is no excuse for us doing the things He hates.  (gee sounds like what I learned living with my wife...hummmm)  So keep it honest and truthful....in all your ways....K