We have encountered situations that have been troublesome and have caused us frustration. As we reflect upon the reasons why we incurred so much difficulty we can see that many times there is something that we did not know or fully comprehend. The nation of Israel experienced this situation. God had given His people clear guidance and instructions, but they chose to ignore His word and go their own way. The consequence for neglecting God’s word and His ways was divine judgment:

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)

You may be thinking, “This was addressed to the nation of Israel, what does this have to do to me?” In the Old Testament, God’s people comprised the nation of Israel, today God’s people are those who follow Jesus. When God’s people fail to heed God’s word, this can lead to serious consequences. God has given us His word not to take away our joy, but rather for our benefit. To know God’s will can be life’s greatest treasure and to do God’s will can be life’s greatest pleasure. When we choose to reject His law however, there will be consequences – either sooner or later. The context of this passage revealed the people’s behavior when they neglected God’s word:

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. There is swearing, deception, murder, stealing and adultery. They employ violence, so that bloodshed follows bloodshed. (Hosea 4:1-2)

Hosea’s assessment sadly describes the condition of our modern day. Although many people know what God expects of them, they choose to go their own way. Jesus warned His audience to diligently listen to God and not to be led by other voices:

Take care what you listen to. By your standard of measure it shall be measured to you; and more shall be given you besides. (Mark 4:24)

You will discover that the effort of knowing God costs far less than the pain of regret. The Hebrew concept of knowledge implies not only a cognitive understanding, but concomitant behavior as judged by one’s attitude and actions. Our actions reveal the extent of our knowledge.

Knowing God entails discipline, obedience, and consistency, but it is less excruciating than the pain of regret. We face a world that conspires against us to keep us from a true knowledge of God, but there exists a wonderful promise for the people who know their God:

By smooth words he will turn to godlessness those who act wickedly toward the covenant, but the people who know their God will display strength and take action. (Daniel 11:32)

Associate Pastor – Discipleship.  The Church at LifePark

Professor of Discipleship, Columbia International University

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