In the context of the Bible, the concept of being "disliked" can be understood through various narratives and teachings that illustrate human relationships, divine favor, and the consequences of actions that lead to disfavor or rejection. The term "disliked" itself may not frequently appear in the text, but the theme is evident in numerous accounts and teachings.

Old Testament Examples

1. Joseph and His Brothers: One of the most prominent examples of being disliked is the account of Joseph and his brothers. Joseph was favored by his father, Jacob, which led to jealousy and animosity from his brothers. Genesis 37:4 states, "When his brothers saw that their father loved him more than any of them, they hated him and could not speak a kind word to him." This dislike eventually led to Joseph being sold into slavery, setting the stage for God's providential plan.

2. Leah and Rachel: The account of Leah and Rachel, the wives of Jacob, also illustrates the theme of being disliked. Leah was less loved by Jacob compared to Rachel. Genesis 29:31 notes, "When the LORD saw that Leah was unloved, He opened her womb; but Rachel was barren." Here, God's compassion is shown towards Leah, despite her being less favored by her husband.

3. Saul and David: King Saul's growing dislike for David is another significant example. After David's victory over Goliath and his rising popularity, Saul became increasingly envious and hostile. 1 Samuel 18:9 states, "So from that day forward Saul kept a jealous eye on David." Saul's dislike led to numerous attempts on David's life, highlighting the destructive nature of envy and hatred.

New Testament Teachings

1. Jesus and the Pharisees: Jesus often faced dislike and opposition from the religious leaders of His time, particularly the Pharisees. Their animosity stemmed from Jesus' teachings, which challenged their authority and exposed their hypocrisy. In Matthew 12:14 , it is recorded, "But the Pharisees went out and plotted how they might kill Jesus." This opposition ultimately led to the crucifixion, fulfilling God's redemptive plan.

2. The World’s Hatred: Jesus taught His disciples about the inevitability of being disliked by the world. In John 15:18-19 , He said, "If the world hates you, understand that it hated Me first. If you were of the world, it would love you as its own. Instead, the world hates you, because you are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world." This teaching prepares believers for the reality of opposition and encourages them to remain steadfast in their faith.

3. Paul’s Ministry: The Apostle Paul frequently encountered dislike and persecution throughout his ministry. In 2 Corinthians 11:24-25 , Paul recounts, "Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea." Despite facing significant opposition, Paul remained committed to spreading the Gospel.

Theological Implications

The theme of being disliked in the Bible often serves to highlight the contrast between human and divine perspectives. While humans may dislike others due to jealousy, fear, or misunderstanding, God's perspective is one of love, justice, and redemption. Believers are called to respond to dislike with love and forgiveness, following the example of Christ. Romans 12:14 instructs, "Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse." This teaching underscores the transformative power of love and the call to live counter-culturally as followers of Christ.(imp. & p. p.) of Dislike.

In the Attribute of Justice, Marcion's God is Hopelessly Weak and ...
... Now, nothing is so unworthy of the Divine Being as not to execute retribution
on what He has disliked and forbidden. First, He owes ...
/.../tertullian/the five books against marcion/chapter xxvi in the attribute of.htm

The Title on the Cross
... Nor would even Pilate's complaisance have gone so far as to have condemned a prisoner
against whom all that could be said was that he was disliked because he ...
/.../the title on the cross.htm

Miracles no Remedy for Unbelief.
... They wished to be let alone; they liked ease; they liked their own way; they disliked
to make war against the natural impulses and leanings of their own minds ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon vi miracles no remedy.htm

Introduction.
... The period which Mr. Newman and his friends so disliked, had, in its religious
character, been distinguished by its professions of extreme veneration for the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnold/the christian life/introduction.htm

Endurance of the World's Censure.
... If all serious persons are disliked by the world, because they bring before it
unpleasant truths, which it would fain forget if it could, this trial surely ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon x endurance of the.htm

The Caroline Settlement
... As it turned out, others were more feared by the Presbyterians, but no one was more
obnoxious to them: indeed they disliked him more than all the rest of his ...
/.../studies in the book of common prayer/chapter iv the caroline settlement.htm

The First Kings.
... to succeed him. They were mercenary and open to bribery, and it is not
strange that they were disliked by the people. It is one ...
/.../headley/half hours in bible lands volume 2/the first kings.htm

The Cure of Simon's Wife's Mother.
... No one, I think, could dislike pain so much as the Saviour must have disliked
it. God dislikes it. He is then on our side in the matter. ...
/.../macdonald/miracles of our lord/iii the cure of simons.htm

Beyond Cincinnati
... because he was impelled by burning convictions to express freely his pronounced
views, he was considered radical, and was misunderstood and disliked by many ...
/.../herrick/frank h nelson of cincinnati/beyond cincinnati.htm

Summary of the Subject.
... dissent. Thus Athanasius, who disliked Eusebius and his party, issued a
list of the sacred writings which included the Revelation. ...
/.../davidson/the canon of the bible/chapter ix summary of the.htm

Disliked (4 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) of Dislike. Multi-Version Concordance
Disliked (4 Occurrences). Deuteronomy 21:15 If a man ...
/d/disliked.htm - 7k

Loath (2 Occurrences)
... 1. (a.) Filled with disgust or aversion; averse; unwilling; reluctant; as, loath
to part with one's money. 2. (a.) Hateful; odious; disliked. ...
/l/loath.htm - 7k

Dislike (1 Occurrence)

/d/dislike.htm - 7k

Dislikes (3 Occurrences)

/d/dislikes.htm - 7k

Pastoral
... states in the preface to his Commentary on Titus, these heretics rejected the epistles,
not on critical grounds, but merely because they disliked their teaching ...
/p/pastoral.htm - 39k

Poison (17 Occurrences)
... the King James Version "spider"), mentioned in Proverbs 30:28 Septuagint kalabotes)
was formerly regarded as poisonous and it is still much disliked by the ...
/p/poison.htm - 17k

Sojourner (81 Occurrences)
... 1. Marriage: In the earlier period marriages with foreigners are common, though
disliked (eg Genesis 24:3; Genesis 27:46;; Numbers 12:1 Judges 14:3, etc.). ...
/s/sojourner.htm - 48k

Stranger (152 Occurrences)
... 1. Marriage: In the earlier period marriages with foreigners are common, though
disliked (eg Genesis 24:3; Genesis 27:46;; Numbers 12:1 Judges 14:3, etc.). ...
/s/stranger.htm - 57k

Virgin (62 Occurrences)
... It passed the scrutiny of the church at large and of its authorized teachers, and
was never challenged save by a small group of heretics who disliked it on ...
/v/virgin.htm - 64k

Birth (357 Occurrences)
... It passed the scrutiny of the church at large and of its authorized teachers, and
was never challenged save by a small group of heretics who disliked it on ...
/b/birth.htm - 71k

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