Not According to Knowledge
October 8th, 2009Students in a psychology class at San Diego State College were asked to name their most valuable asset. Two of the students wrote down intelligence, and both misspelled it. We often deceive ourselves into thinking we are something we are not. In fact, we often take pride in our perceived characteristic. Many have taken pride in Bible knowledge without studying or fully understanding the Scriptures. In Hosea 4:6, God said: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge” (NASU). This verse doesn’t end here, however, God goes on to give two of the reasons His people were being destroyed for their lack of knowledge.
First, they had rejected God’s knowledge. The people wanted to hear superficial and soothing messages rather than God’s message (cf. Jeremiah 6:14, 8:11; Ezekiel 13:10, 16). Like many today, they had itching ears and teachers who were willing to scratch them (cf. 2 Timothy 4:3). Many today teach are teaching all you have to do is believe and you will be saved, but they fail to take the next step: belief involves obedience (cf. James 2:18). Many today teach anything is authorized by God as long as it is sincere and loving, but they ignore that love and sincerity must be accompanied by obedience and truth (cf. John 4:26, 14:15, Ephesians 4:15). Of the unbelieving Jews, Paul said: “For I testify about them that they have a zeal for God, but not in accordance with knowledge” (Romans 10:2). Sincerity and zeal accomplish nothing apart from knowledge. In Hosea 4:6, God says He will reject those who rejected His knowledge. We cannot serve God according to our own knowledge and ways; we must study and adhere to His.
Second, they had forgotten God’s law. The priests who were responsible for knowing and teaching God’s word failed to do their job (cf. Deut. 31:9-13; 33:8-10; Mal. 2:7). As a result, Israel became more and more corrupt, immoral, and godless. The same is happening in America. The reason: each generation is more ignorant of God’s Word than the last. God has always sought to impress upon our minds the importance of teaching His Word. In 2 Timothy 2:2, Paul instructs: “The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” The knowledge we gain from studying God’s Word is not meant to be kept to ourselves, but to be shared with others. In addition, parents are commanded in both testaments to teach their children (Deuteronomy 6:6-7, 11:19, Ephesians 6:4). In Hosea 4:6, God also says He will forget the children of those who have forgotten His law. If we do not teach others and especially our children, we are hindering others from receiving salvation.
We are destroyed by a lack of knowledge when we no longer care what God’s Word says and/or no longer care to teach it. We must seek the knowledge of God for ourselves, our children, and the lost souls we should be teaching.
