Abominations

2022-10-19

In the Bible, an abomination is something so abhorrent and filthy that one should have nothing to do with it. They could be relative to one’s culture or opinion, or they could be something the LORD finds offensive. Depending on the context, there are a few different nuances that become apparent:

  1. Someone finds something to be an abomination. For example, in Joseph’s day, Egyptians found Hebrews an abomination because they found shepherds abominable, for whatever reason. It was some cultural peculiarity. (Genesis 43:32; 46:34; Exodus 8:26)
  2. Something can be found to be an abomination because of a certain situation. For example, peace offerings are good and acceptable. However, on the third day, it should not be eaten. It has become an abomination. (Leviticus 7:18)
  3. Something was an abomination to a certain culture for a certain period. For example, dietary laws were given to the people of Israel. The unclean animals “shall be an abomination unto you” (Leviticus 11:10). Notice the phrase “unto you.” The animals were not abominations in themselves, because God created them. “For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving” (1 Timothy 4:4). In the New Testament, this carnal ordinance is explained to represent how Jewish people should be separate from the Gentile nations. That delineation has been eliminated in the church (Acts 10:9-48; Ephesians 2:11-22).

    The Bible critic feels this is his trump card for every argument against Christianity. Because shellfish are “abominations,” and you eat shellfish, they point out your “hypocrisy” and dismiss Christianity as a whole and continue to embrace everything that is an abomination to the LORD (which we discuss next).
  4. Something is an abomination to the LORD. These are things that the LORD never intended. Idols are examples of these. “Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD” (Deuteronomy 27:15). The worship of something other than God is always an abomination.

The fourth category is something that is true for all time and for every culture. Using our example, it is never not evil to worship other gods. However, for the 21st century Christian, it does not make a difference whether one eats shellfish, and we do not offer peace offerings. Stay away from everything that is an abomination to the LORD.

However, to be culturally appropriate and not to cause offense, you may change your behavior. I have abstained from eating pork while eating with Jewish people and from eating beef when with Hindus. If one knows something is an “abomination” to someone else, it is better to refrain from doing it. It may not always be possible, and we never embrace an abomination to the LORD to appease someone else.

I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean. But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died. (Romans 14:14-15)