Positive Prayer (Proverbs 15:8,26,29)

PROVERBS 15:8

"The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the LORD, but the prayer of the upright is His delight."

ABOMINATION

Something that is an 'abomination' is disgusting or repulsive. The language is cultic when referring to bringing a sacrificial animal, to atone for some sin, or asking for some blessing on a person's life. However, this very public display is disgusting to God when the motivation or intent is to manipulate Him, or simply to appear outwardly to be conforming to an acceptable standard while the heart remains rebellious and intent on continuing the same pattern of selfish unrepentant behavior despite the religious display of uprightness or purity. The Sadducees and Pharisees were typical examples of this blatant hypocrisy, especially in the stark contrast of the Pharisee who "...stood and prayed thus with himself,..." (Lk.18:9-14) and the tax collector saying, "God be merciful to me a sinner" (Lk. 18:13).

DELIGHT

The word 'delight' is (ratzon), or (rason), 7522, which is a technical term for an offering being 'accepted'. It is not just accepted; it is pleasing, pleasurable, and delightful to the recipient—in this case, God, our Father. Our Father takes pleasure in our prayers; speaking to Him.

PROVERBS 15:26

"The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD, but the words of the pure are pleasant words".

PLEASANT

The word 'pure', is again, cultic, referring to sacrificial offerings, but the positive takeaway is in the word 'pleasant', (No'am), 5278, which only appears 7 times in the Hebrew text, and describes the effect on other people. Here, in poetic parallelism, the scripture says that our words, especially in 'prayer' to our Father, have a positive, pleasing effect on Him. He takes pleasure in our prayers. The passage continues by stating, "The LORD is far from the wicked, but He hears the prayer of the righteous" (15:29). He not only hears our prayers, but they are a delight to Him, giving Him pleasure, in our requests and conversation with Him.

PRAYER

You are God's Best and God's Best is Yours