Hosea 4:6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; Because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children. NKJV

In rereading Hosea we once again come across this statement that resounds through the ages and warns God’s people about the need for constant, continual study and application of God’s word. We are not sure why those of Hosea’s day did not know the word of God; it could have been the lack of teaching by the priests; it could have been the failure of the men of the family in teaching God’s word as they knew and understood it; it could have been that they were so busy trying to eke out a living that they felt they didn’t have time for studying, memorizing and contemplating the Word of God. The results, however, were still the same. Many would go into captivity; still others would die because of their failure to know God’s word.

Though the Bible is still the number one bestseller in the country, many people do not know what it says, as they have not read it for themselves. Most people will carry it around, maybe getting a verse here or a verse there to help them in their daily lives. Like an amulet to ward off evil spirits, many carry their Bibles, but they still do not know what is inside of it. It is so much easier to allow a “paid professional” to stand and tell us what it means on Sunday, and perhaps on Wednesday evenings. And, when we face God on judgment day, we will claim ignorance of his word to excuse the sins in our lives; or will we blame the preacher, elders, deacons or others for our failure to know what God wanted us to do.

On any given Sunday morning there are many more that attend worship services than Bible classes. Bible classes are a way in which we can get other’s opinions and ideas about Scripture, and be challenged to study more. More Christians should avail themselves of the opportunities to study the Bible than what they do. Churches should use these opportunities to teach the BIBLE, not books about the Bible, written by fallible men who, in many cases, take verses out of context to make the Bible say things GOD never intended for it to say. At the same time, if we honestly think we will get a good grasp of the Bible simply by attending Bible classes and worship through the week we are sadly mistaken. It takes DAILY Bible study and reading to get the message God is trying to get to his people.

It is because the church does not know the Bible as it once did that we have the problems we have today. Many members ask the church to give them what they think they need, rather than listening to what God says and knows that they need. False teachers abound, giving brethren who have itching ears warm, fuzzy, “feel good about themselves” feelings that lack depth and will not aid when Satan attacks. Churches have been decimated because of this, and it will continue unless and until we once again get the Word of God in our hearts and lives.

Brethren, times are getting tough in the world and in the church. Will we be destroyed because of lack of knowledge of God’s word? Will we be destroyed because we have compromised the Word of God so we can please men? Will we be destroyed because, having known the Word of God, we have failed to DO what it says? I pray that we will wake up, listen and know God’s word, and do it!