Leviticus 26:30—Did God abhor Israel?

Problem: Time and time again God reminded Israel that they were the “apple of His eye” (Zech. 2:8), the object of His special blessing (Gen. 12:1–3). Yet here God says, “My soul shall abhor you.”

Solution: Only a few verses later (v. 44), God says, “I will not cast them away, nor shall I abhor them.” The difference is due to the fact that He is speaking of two different times in which Israel is in two different conditions. When they are faithful to Him, God will not abhor them. But, when they worship other gods, He promises to “cast your carcasses on the lifeless forms of your idols” (v. 30). God hates the practice of idolatry, whether by His people or by pagans.

This excerpt is from When Critics Ask: A Popular Handbook on Bible Difficulties (Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books, 1992). © 2014 Norman Geisler and Thomas Howe. All rights reserved. Used by permission. Click here to purchase this book.