◄ What Does Hosea 4:6 Mean? ►

What a sad indictment of the people of Israel, and how grieved the heart of God must have been when the Lord made this plaintive complaint through His servant, Hosea, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge."

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.

They rejected the knowledge of God and even killed the promised Messiah, which caused their utter destruction and ultimate dispersion throughout the whole world. And because they rejected the Lord their God, His sad response was, "I also will reject you from being My priest.. and since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children." How tragic and how shockingly sad.

Imagine receiving this indictment from the God of the universe Who created them and chose them out of all the nations of the earth, to be His inheritance. Picture rebelling against the One Who redeemed them, adopted them, made a conditional covenant with them, and pleaded with them for many long centuries and through many prophets of God, to turn away from their mutinous apostasy!

It was the leaders of the nation that were held accountable for this shocking state of spiritual decline, and the priests, in particular, were held responsible by God for this dire state of affairs within His chosen nation. They had pledged allegiance to foreign kings and pagan nations, instead of looking to the God of their salvation for help in times of need.

They had run into the arms of God's enemies and sought sustenance from them, instead of standing on the Rock of their salvation, trusting in His bottomless provision, drinking from the still pools that freely flowed from His never-failing promises, or hiding in the secure shelter of His love - which is under the shadow of His protective wings.

If this were the final chapter in the history of Israel, it would be a tearful tale of woe. BUT God, in His grace, has not finished with His people despite their terrible apostasy, continuous rebellion, and the rejection of their Messiah. He has promised to reinstate them and gather them together in His arms as a shepherd gathers His little lamb, or a Father - the son that he loves.

And we, who have been saved by grace through faith in this Church dispensation, have received equally precious and unfailing promises - which are all 'yes' and 'amen' in Christ Jesus our Saviour. Indeed, we have been called and chosen to be a kingdom of priests and to act as Christ's representatives on earth, during this present Church administration.

Nevertheless, the warning that was given to Israel needs to be heeded by Christians today, for many are being led astray by a false gospel which is taught by deceptive teachers, about another Jesus. Many today are being destroyed for lack of knowledge because they have rejected the truth of the gospel of grace, and have received a doctrine, that is not founded on the written Word of God.

May we never, ever reject the knowledge of truth, and the wisdom that we have received from above. May we develop a teachable spirit, and desire the pure milk and meat of the Word, which is able to make us strong in the Lord - so that we may be a worthy witness to His goodness and grace.

Father, keep me looking to Jesus, moment by moment. Teach me, daily, all that You would have me to learn. Protect my life and the children that You have graciously given to me, and may they also grow in grace and in a knowledge of Jesus, and may we all learn to reverence the Lord in the beauty of holiness, day by day, until we all stand before You in glory. This I ask in Jesus' precious name, AMEN.