Morning Meditation: Day 8
“My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.” Hosea 4:6
At first glance, it may appear that the people of the Lord were on a destructive path because they had no knowledge of God, but the real problem lied, as we see when we continue to read, in the fact that they rejected the knowledge that God had given them. The easier problem of no knowledge could have been resolved by simply informing the people of God’s ways. Their dilemma was that they had no appetite for what God revealed to them.
Although this theme runs throughout the Bible, nowhere is it felt more acutely than in the writings of the Prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah 26:4-6 is representative of God’s grievance against His people, Israel. God pleaded with them, “Say to them, This is what the Lord says: If you do not listen to me and follow my law, which I have set before you, and if you do not listen to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I have sent to you again and again (though you have not listened), then I will make this house like Shiloh and this city and object of cursing among all the nations of the earth.” (Other references include: Jer. 6:10; 11:10; 13:10; 19:15; 25:8-9; 29:18-19; 35:12-15) God gave them His word abundantly and warned them with great patience, but they never changed the disposition of their hearts toward Him. They left Him no choice but to judge them, with the hope of restoring them later, for the evil they continued to practice in their lives.
We do not lack knowledge of God’s word; we lack a hearing ear. Jesus exhorted the churches in Revelations 2-3, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” We too would do well to take heed.
“My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priests; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children.” Hosea 4:6
At first glance, it may appear that the people of the Lord were on a destructive path because they had no knowledge of God, but the real problem lied, as we see when we continue to read, in the fact that they rejected the knowledge that God had given them. The easier problem of no knowledge could have been resolved by simply informing the people of God’s ways. Their dilemma was that they had no appetite for what God revealed to them.
Although this theme runs throughout the Bible, nowhere is it felt more acutely than in the writings of the Prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah 26:4-6 is representative of God’s grievance against His people, Israel. God pleaded with them, “Say to them, This is what the Lord says: If you do not listen to me and follow my law, which I have set before you, and if you do not listen to the words of my servants the prophets, whom I have sent to you again and again (though you have not listened), then I will make this house like Shiloh and this city and object of cursing among all the nations of the earth.” (Other references include: Jer. 6:10; 11:10; 13:10; 19:15; 25:8-9; 29:18-19; 35:12-15) God gave them His word abundantly and warned them with great patience, but they never changed the disposition of their hearts toward Him. They left Him no choice but to judge them, with the hope of restoring them later, for the evil they continued to practice in their lives.
We do not lack knowledge of God’s word; we lack a hearing ear. Jesus exhorted the churches in Revelations 2-3, “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” We too would do well to take heed.
To Consider:
Psalm 139:23-24: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.”
Are you aware of unconfessed sin in your life? (I Jn. 7-9)
a) Are you willing to repent and change your lifestyle? (James 4:8-10; Psm. 51:10
Evening Reading:
a) Are you willing to repent and change your lifestyle? (James 4:8-10; Psm. 51:10
Evening Reading:
Psalm 119:57-64
ח Heth
57 You are my portion, LORD; I have promised to obey your words. 58 I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise. 59 I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes. 60 I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands. 61 Though the wicked bind me with ropes, I will not forget your law. 62 At midnight I rise to give you thanks for your righteous laws. 63 I am a friend to all who fear you, to all who follow your precepts. 64 The earth is filled with your love, LORD; teach me your decrees.
ח Heth
57 You are my portion, LORD; I have promised to obey your words. 58 I have sought your face with all my heart; be gracious to me according to your promise. 59 I have considered my ways and have turned my steps to your statutes. 60 I will hasten and not delay to obey your commands. 61 Though the wicked bind me with ropes, I will not forget your law. 62 At midnight I rise to give you thanks for your righteous laws. 63 I am a friend to all who fear you, to all who follow your precepts. 64 The earth is filled with your love, LORD; teach me your decrees.
2 comments:
When we are in a relationship with God, we want to please Him. Yet, we do things that don't. I hear Him speak within me, sometimes He says, Barbara you know that's not right or don't say that or don't do that. Yes, like Pauls says the things we should do, we don't and we do the things we shouldn't do. Oh wrecthed man that I am. But no excuses. God says we can be holy and live right with His help. It does not happen over night it is a process. But thanks be unto God who causes us to triumph in Christ Jesus. God wants to show us the way, but we have to be willing to go.
When we are in a relationship with God, we want to please Him. Yet, we do things that don't. I hear Him speak within me, sometimes He says, Barbara you know that's not right or don't say that or don't do that. Yes, like Pauls says the things we should do, we don't and we do the things we shouldn't do. Oh wrecthed man that I am. But no excuses. God says we can be holy and live right with His help. It does not happen over night it is a process. But thanks be unto God who causes us to triumph in Christ Jesus. God wants to show us the way, but we have to be willing to go.
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