Hosea 4

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“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge; because you have rejected knowledge, I reject you from being a priest to me. And since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children” (Hosea 4:6 ESV)

December 6, 2016

God gave the prophet Hosea a word of accusation and warning for the priests of Israel. He accused them of failing to fulfill their calling to know, believe and teach God’s Word. This failure affected the people, who were being “destroyed for lack of knowledge,” and the next generation of children who no longer knew God, nor His Word. Today, we are the “priests” (1 Peter 2:9). And we are responsible to know, believe and preach God’s Word. Where the people in our world are being destroyed and the children are being forgotten, isn’t it because we have yet to give them the knowledge of God?

“Hear the word of the Lord, O children of Israel, for the Lord has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land. There is no faithfulness or steadfast love, and no knowledge of God in the land; there is swearing, lying, murder, stealing, and committing adultery; they break all bounds, and bloodshed follows bloodshed” (Hosea 4:1-2)

December 6, 2013

The prophet Hosea records this stinging accusation from God about Israel. Notice how God lists His concerns: First, He describes the brokenness of their relationship with Him, then He details the brokenness of their relationships with one another. As it regarded their relationship with God, He accused them of three “No”s– No faithfulness, no love, and no knowledge. These three “no”s were not only God’s priority concern, but they also led to His secondary concern, namely the breakdown of their human relationships, both family and civilization. In summary, they failed to keep the Great Commandment: Love God and love your neighbor as yourself.

“Hear the word of the Lord, O people of Israel! The Lord has brought charges against you, saying: ‘There is no faithfulness, no kindness, no knowledge of God in your land'” (Hosea 4:1)

December 6, 2012

The prophet Hosea was called to warn Israel as a nation. Israel’s unfaithfulness was considered adultery, as God called Himself Husband and Israel, His bride. Hosea warned that God had removed his favor and protection from Israel. Among Israel’s many sins was that there was “no knowledge of God” in the land any more. Is there “knowledge of God” in our nation? If not, be careful where you point the blame because God blamed Israel’s priests (Hos.4:4). Who are today’s priests? (Answer: 1 Peter 2:9).