Hosea 4:6 (NKJV) 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.
Why do people become destroyed? Because of a lack of knowledge. So, what exactly is knowledge, or the type of knowledge people need? Before we address that, let’s define what knowledge is. Knowledge is the act or state of knowing; it’s a clear perception of facts, truth, or duty. It encompasses what is learned and kept through understanding — such as instructions, familiarity, enlightenment, and education. Additionally, knowledge includes the familiarity gained through real experience, like practical skills.
How do we gain knowledge? 2 Timothy shows us how. It says, “Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” The Bible encourages us to study. In other words, the responsibility of gaining knowledge rests on your shoulders. So, how then do we study?
- Through approved training institutions, such as theological seminaries, Bible schools, and other establishments that provide training in your calling and gifting.
- Through recorded materials, including both audio and video from men and women of God.
- Through written materials, such as books.
- Sitting under the guidance of anointed and experienced men and women of God to learn from them as they teach and share their experiences.
- Through internet resources.
- By allowing the Holy Spirit, who is the teacher of teachers, to teach you.
Then it follows “To Shew Thyself Approved Unto God.” The accrediting of your study has been removed from the realm of men and placed in the realm of God. You study to show yourself approved before God, not man. It is God who will credit and evaluate you, not man. Therefore, keep studying until you are approved by God as well, so that you may not be ashamed. Then you will be able to accurately divide the word of truth.
“Because Thou Has Rejected Knowledge, I Will Also Reject Thee, That Thou Shalt Be No Priest To Me:”
Most of the time, we quote the first part of this verse, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge,” and then we stop there. We have seen that the burden of gaining knowledge is on our shoulders. If you lack knowledge, it means you have rejected the effort to seek it. We have both formal and informal learning. For formal learning, there are theological seminaries, Bible schools, and other institutions that offer education in your area of gifting. For informal learning, we can learn from experienced men and women of God, as well as from men and women in any area of your gifting, whom you can sit under, listen to, and gain knowledge from. We also have recordings of sermons from outstanding men and women that you can listen to in order to acquire knowledge.
We also possess books written by outstanding men and women of God. You can acquire or pick up a copy on any topic that interests you, then read and study it. These materials are all around us. If you don’t use them, you would be foolish. When you reject knowledge, God will reject you from serving Him. This shows that God has no need for fools. He does not call the qualified but rather calls you and qualifies you. If you reject knowledge during the process of Him qualifying you, He will reject you from serving Him. Keep in mind, God has no need for fools or ignorant people. Accept knowledge or accept His knowledge and serve Him. Reject His knowledge, and He will reject you.
“Seeing Thou Hast Forgotten The Law Of Thy God, I Will Also Forget Thy Children.”
Now you can acquire knowledge from all areas of life. You may know the Bible by heart from Genesis chapter 1 to Revelation chapter 22. That is head knowledge; it’s fine. But if you don’t put what you know into practice, you’re not a doer of the word — only a hearer. In other words, immediately after you hear the word of God, you forget it. The danger of forgetting God’s word is this: “Seeing Thou Hast Forgotten The Law Of Thy God, I Will Also Forget Thy Children.” God does not forget you, but your children. Do you want God not to forget your children? Don’t forget His word. Be a doer of His word.
Many times, we pray for our children, and the answer seems not to come. My questions to you are this: “Have you forgotten the word of God? Check yourself. Are you a hearer only? Examine yourself. Do you mix God and other things? Like your tradition.” Look at these three areas — how do you behave when they occur?
- When a child is born, how do you name them or act?
- During weddings and dowry payments, do we follow God or our tradition?
- During a funeral, do we stand with God or our tradition?
Examine yourself in these three areas and let them reveal whether you have rejected the word of God or are still upholding it. If Jesus is not Lord of all in your life and dealings, then He is not Lord at all. Keep these three things in mind.
- When you lack knowledge in any area, you will be vulnerable. In other words, knowledge in any field shields you from harm. Knowledge is the antidote to destruction.
- Rejecting the law of God means he rejects you.
- When you forget his word, he forgets your children. Therefore, it is up to you to ensure that God remembers your children always by being a doer of the word of God, not just a hearer.
Contributor: By Gilbert Magomere Ayieko
