Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge – Hosea 4

The sins of the northern kingdom of Israel are revealed in Hosea 4. They were guilty of all sorts of wicked things – swearing, lying, killing, stealing, and adultery. As a result, they would be punished with famine and death.

The root cause of their sin was that they had rejected God’s truth, God’s mercy, and God’s knowledge (v.1). They did not know what God’s Word said and they did not want to know (v.6). Their priests had failed to teach them. Instead, they had enabled and participated in their sin (v.6-11).

Their ignorance was no excuse (v.14). They had rejected the truth they had and so they remained in darkness. As a result, they would fall and face punishment.

This challenged us to not be ignorant of God and His Word, to get into His truth and get His truth into us. It also challenges us who are “priests” in this world to teach God’s Word to those in spiritual darkness. Like the Old Testament priests, we are to teach God’s Word to the world. If they remained ignorant, we are to blame.

1 Corinthians 15:34 says, “…some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.”

How many people around the world do not know God’s truth, God’s mercy, or God’s Word? We have failed to tell them, and when they are destroyed it will be partly our fault. May God help us to be faithful to declare His truth to the world.

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