Proverbs 15:8-12

Proverbs 15:8-12
English Standard Version
​8 The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,
    but the prayer of the upright is acceptable to him.
9 The way of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD,
    but he loves him who pursues righteousness.
10 There is severe discipline for him who forsakes the way;
    whoever hates reproof will die.
11 Sheol and Abaddon lie open before the LORD;
    how much more the hearts of the children of man!
12 A scoffer does not like to be reproved;
    he will not go to the wise.

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The LORD does not accept the sacrifice of the wicked (see the story of Cain and Abel, and the story of King Saul).  God does not need our sacrifices in the way that the pagans think the gods are in need of their food sacrifices and gifts of money.  God's first priority is for people to be in right relationship with him before they try to worship Him.  It's not just unacceptable when people try to turn the gospel into just another religion where people try to do things to manipulate God to earn His favor, it is an abomination.  He hates it, and it is a terrible sin, because it keeps people from receiving the true gospel that will really save them.  However, the LORD hears the prayers of the righteous, because their hearts have been changed to be in tune with His desires.  He will hear and answer their prayers because the Spirit helps them ask for the things that He already wants to give to them as a good Father.

The way of the wicked is also an abomination to the LORD.  Evil isn't innocent, and it's not something that God can just wink at.  It destroys the body, soul and spirit of the person doing the evil, but it also wants to destroy all those around them.  The LORD loves those who pursue righteous (the ones He has adopted as sons and daughters).  We love Him because He first loved us and gave His life as a sacrifice for us.  All glory and honor go to Him for who He is and what He has done.

Because the LORD knows the harm that comes from evil, he punishes the wicked and His wayward sons and daughters to bring them to repentance.  Whoever hates his reproof will suffer consequences here and now, but ultimately, they will face the consequences of the second death--eternal hell and damnation and more importantly, separation from God and the blessings He's preparing for those He loves who also love Him (remember that those who love Him obey Him, and those who love wickedness do not love Him because they love themselves).

Sheol (The Grave, which we would call "Hell," the holding place of the wicked awaiting judgment) and Abaddon (the name of the final place of judgment that we call "The Lake of Fire") are open before the LORD, ready to receive those He condemns.  He sees them all.  While the people there may not be in His presence, that does not keep Him from seeing there and knowing that all those whose souls reside there continue to live in rebellion.  If the LORD sees the unrighteous, how much more does He see His children that He loves?  He is omnipresent and omniscient.  (See Psalm 139).  There is nowhere we can go from His presence where He doesn't see us.  That is scary for the wicked who want to try to hide their evil from Him (impossible and all their deeds will be recorded) but is such a blessing for the righteous that He is El Roi--The God Who Sees Me.

The man who scoffs at wisdom hates to be rebuked (told that he is wrong).  He does not seek wise counsel, but does what is right in his own eyes.  He refuses to seek the advice of wise people in his life because he doesn't want to hear what they have to say.  He only wants to hear his words and thoughts coming out of someone else's mouth instead of wanting to hear the Word of the LORD coming out of someone else's mouth.  If he truly loved the LORD, He would love His Word and those who spoke the Wisdom of God by the Spirit of God.

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