Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge

America today seems to be a country of great wealth, with a healthy economy and a commanding world presence. This country also, however, suffers from a great dearth of knowledge of the things of God. Ignorance of simple Bible stories and truths can be seen throughout the land, and it should be to our shame.

This time in our country is reminiscent of the end of the northern kingdom of Israel, as recorded by Hosea. The people of Israel had fallen away from the living God, and had worshiped the Baals. What was their problem? Why had they fallen away? God answers in Hosea 4:6:

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. This is a great charge, and should be frightening. Lack of knowledge of the things of God leads to separation from Him! Yet the priests are the ones who are blamed in Hosea 4 for the ignorance of the people, as they did not teach the law of God.

We as Christians are members of a "royal priesthood," (1 Peter 2:9), and also are charged to instruct people in the things of God. Jesus commanded us to "make disciples of all nations" in Matthew 28:18, and as Paul asks in Romans 10:14:

How shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? Clearly, one of our obligations as Christians is to preach the truth to others so that none may perish.

Ignorance of the things of God is not limited to the world. Yes, even the church can be ignorant of the truths which God has spoken. As Paul condemned the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 15:34-35:

Become sober-minded as you ought, and stop sinning; for some have no knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame. Some in the church had no knowledge of God! How shameful! We must always strive as brothers and sisters to constantly exhort and study with each other, as parents to instruct our children in the knowledge of God, and as individual Christians, continually study to show ourselves approved of God (2 Timothy 2:15).