A Lack of Knowledge Brings Destruction

by Andy Sochor

Through the prophet Hosea, God made known His “case against” His people (Hosea 4:1). The Lord’s complaint was that there was “no faithfulness or kindness or knowledge of God in the land” (Hosea 4:1).

Because of their unfaithfulness, God was going to destroy them. The people, priests, and prophets were all to blame.

How did they get into this state? God answered, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children” (Hosea 4:6). They had rejected the law of God, refused to heed it, and would reap the consequences of this.

In every area of life, there will be trouble if we don’t know what we ought to know. But it is especially severe in spiritual matters (even though some are the least concerned with this). Yet the state of our soul and our relationship with God is more important than anything else.

If we lack the knowledge we need of God’s word, we are responsible for obtaining it. God has revealed it to us and has made it accessible. Others can certainly help us gain understanding as well, but we must desire to obtain it for ourselves. If we do not, we will suffer the consequences of rejecting God’s word.

So remember that a lack of knowledge brings destruction. Let’s take advantage of the truth that God has revealed to us. Rather than ignoring it, let’s follow His word that leads to eternal life (cf. John 6:68).