THE CERTAINTY OF FAILURE

Bill Fitzhenry's Thoughts For Today…

Understanding important truths from the Bible….

Hosea 4:6 NASB

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.

The question came up in conversation about the statement in Acts 13:7.  The city official, Sergius Paulus, is described as a man of intelligence.  What is meant by this description?

My response was that it appeared that he was not in the bondage of that culture in which he lived.  The influence of the false prophet Bar-Jesus did not keep him from listening to Paul from whom he heard the gospel.

The prophet Hosea spoke to the northern Kingdom at the same time Isaiah was in the South.  He announces the Word of God has come, denouncing Israel and declaring a controversy with them.  In vs. 1 God declares that Israel, as a whole, has no knowledge of God, nor does their character demonstrate the traits of divine influence, faithfulness and kindness.  But their conduct has sunk to the level of  disgrace so great that a depression of their prosperity is complete.

The Lord further accuses them in vss 4-5 of being like their priests and prophets who stumble both by day and night.  In vs 6 because of ignorance in the teaching cadre, there is an overwhelming destruction throughout the land.  “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”

There are causes for this destruction.  First is the knowledge which they lacked.  In vs 1 it is stated, “There is no…knowledge of God.”  It is not ignorance of farming, or hunting, or fishing that they lack.  They don’t know God, who He is or what He does.”

Israel in Deut. 6 is given the responsibility to know and teach their children about God and His law.  Their elders, priests, and Levites are to have God and His law as their chief study.  They have not done this.  They do not know God.  What a terrible indictment against those who for so long have enjoyed the favor of God.

The result of this destructive ignorance of God is listed.  First God is going to reject them as mediator-intercessors.  Their prayers will no longer avail.  They will not hold the office of priest before God.  Secondly He will reject their children.  There is an accusation that is the crux of their ignorance of God and their destruction.  They have forgotten the Law of God.  They are and will continue to be a lawless people.

When ignorance of God prevails, lawlessness prevails, recession in morals and prosperity is common and the ministry fails in its task of speaking for God.

I weep to say that ignorance in the Church has so darkened the understanding that emotional response to heathen entertainment is represented as the work of God’s blessed Spirit.  Please look at Col. 1:9-14.