Truth may often be the first casualty in matters of convenience or expediency. We have a tendency to put our preferences and knowledge in place of knowing God and His ways. The nation of Israel sought their own way rather than learning the ways of God:

Listen to the word of the Lord, O sons of Israel, for the Lord has a case against the inhabitants of the land, because there is no faithfulness or kindness or knowledge of God in the land. (Hosea 4:1)

The word case is a forensic term and was used to issue a formal dispute. God’s people were morally bankrupt and that was reflected in their actions and the root cause was a lack of knowledge of God and His ways. Hosea delivered God’s reason for the rejection of His people:

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)

God’s people have a responsibility to know God, but they had gone their own way. The acquirement of knowledge does not come automatically, it takes discipline and hard work. Are we guilty of the same sins of the Israelites – do we have a lack of knowledge of God and His ways? Jesus tells us that our work is to believe in Him:

Do not work for the food which perishes, but for the food which endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give to you, for on Him the Father, God, has set His seal. (John 6:27)

The leaders failed in their responsibility to teach the people and as go the leaders, so go the people:

And it will be, like people, like priest; so I will punish them for their ways and repay them for their deeds. (Hosea 4:9)

The results are disastrous as the people went astray because had no understanding;

I will not punish your daughters when they play the harlot or your brides when they commit adultery, for the men themselves go apart with harlots and offer sacrifices with temple prostitutes; so the people without understanding are ruined. (Hosea 4:14)

The people could not use the excuse that they did not know and neither can we. When we do not invest time to know God and understand His ways, then we will face devastating consequences. God implored His people to return to Him:

Return, O Israel, to the Lord your God, for you have stumbled because of your iniquity. (Hosea 14:1)

Hosea’s warning to Israel is applicable to us as well:

Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them. For the ways of the Lord are right, and the righteous will walk in them, but transgressors will stumble in them. (Hosea 14:9)

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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