1/2 Quips from Hosea

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge:” (Hosea 4:6)

Wisdom reveals to us the real knowledge of God; Proverbs 4:6 says: “For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” The knowledge of God comes only from Him revealing Himself to us, and us seeing Him as He is. The question is asked then, “What of those who have never heard of God”? They are destroyed for “lack of knowledge”. But wait…it says “My people” are destroyed…that implies that God is speaking about Christians! God’s people (their lives) are often destroyed for their lack of biblical knowledge. Though the verse referred more directly to Israel, we too, the church, are called “God’s people”; we have been grafted in to the family of God. So, how are we destroyed? Satan seeks to devour us (1 Peter 5:8); he cannot have our soul, but he can surely wreck our life. His main objective is to dishonor the Lord, and one of his best ploys is to destroy the testimony of God’s people. In so doing, He belittles the power of God (or so attempts) and desecrates His Holy name--by changing and polluting His Word. Yes, the knowledge of God is the wisdom we need; it is protection from the wiles of the devil, and leads us into the paths of righteousness.