Destroyed by Lack of knowledge
Destroyed by Lack of knowledge
HOSEA is God’s prophet in 8th century B.C. Sent to the nation of Israel, the Northern Kingdom
The children of Israel had the Law, the prophets, the promises of God, and the certainty of a coming Messiah Who would save them from their sin.
They received instruction on how to live in this fallen world and were cautioned about the consequences of disobeying the Word of the Lord.
But they did not pay heed to His warnings... and God's people were destroyed, for lack of knowledge.
They were given information and understanding through prophets, priests, kings, and the Scriptures, but they rejected the knowledge of God.
They rebelled against the One who brought them out of the land of Egypt.
They broke the covenant which they made with the Lord, their Creator, in the early years of their theocracy.
What do people need to know more than anything? Pr. 1:7 – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge.
Knowing who God is: Creator, Ruler of his world, His will is always done, I am just a man, transient, subject to God, and I take my place before Him, i.e., I bow before Him and fear Him.
Or more fully stated, Pr. 9:10 – The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.
Hos 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge
I. Ignorance of God is inexcusable.
To forget God is to exclude the essential parts of religion. It implies that his goodness, holiness, and claims are of no value to us; it is to exclude God from our thoughts and give him no place in our heart and conduct.
II. Ignorance of God is willful.
To forget is an act of negligence; to reject is a calm, deliberate sin, a positive refusal of God’s kind offers.
III. Ignorance of God is destructive.
A man may be ignorant of mathematics, astronomy, and geology, without suffering much; but to be ignorant of God, the chief and highest good, is to rob ourselves of happiness and expose ourselves to death.
1. Ignorant men fall into temptations, seek sensual gratifications, and live in error. its most abundant harvest.”
2. Ignorance destroys present enjoyment. Ignorance is a blind guide, and its results are often more fearful than the cause itself.
3. Ignorance destroys future happiness.
IV. People are unable to discern the Truth
Grave Soaking
Holy Laughter
Fire Tunneling where individuals walk through a line of people who are praying or laying hands on them, often with the belief that this practice can lead to spiritual transformation or healing.
Health and Prosperity religions
Cults and Leaders
Acceptance of unsound teaching
Lowering of God’s standards
V. Man believes what He wants to believe
Proverbs 14:6
There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.
Romans 1:19–21
19 For what can be mknown about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. 20 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, nhave been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world,1 in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.
21 For although they knew God, they did not honor him as God or give thanks to him, but they obecame futile in their thinking, and their foolish hearts were darkened.
Hos. 6:6
For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offering. This is all about what God wants, desires. Not just commands or mandates.
What Does This Verse Mean for Us Today?
While it’s been thousands of years since this book was written, Hosea’s warning still applies to us today. Instead of reading and adhering to God’s word, the Bible, we listen to other teachers—some of whom might be false. We don’t read His word for ourselves but instead rely on pastors and others to tell us what is the truth.
Or perhaps worse, we hear the Word but decide to heed our own will, comfort, and desires rather than what God wants.
IN CONCLUSION, WE MUST REMEMBER TO OBEY GOD AND ACCEPT HIS KNOWLEDGE IN SPITE OF WHAT OTHERS SAY OR WHAT WE PREFER TO DO.
As Jesus told the people, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life” (John 8:12).
DON’T LOWER GOD’S STANDARDS, RAISE YOURS
7 Ways to Set a Standard in God’s Kingdom
Be Yourself
Put Your Pride Aside
Stand on the Truth
Have Integrity
Set a Standard at Home
Stay Committed
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