I.Introduction:
Hosea 4:6 is, at least in part, one of those commonly known passages that we never actually took the time to consciously memorized. We just picked it up during the journey. The sad reality is that in the midst of our picking up we have picked up words and not the true meaning of words conveyed.
This verse is often used in the study of demonology and is usually interpreted in this way. “God’s people due to a lack of knowledge of the devil and how he works.” If one is to give study to the passage he will soon discover that this is the furthest thing from the truth.
There is a dangerous end of ignorance…..not ignorance of the devil however.
There is a dangerous end to being Ignorant of God and who he really is.
Hos 4:1-6
Hear the word of the LORD, ye children of Israel: for the LORD hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.
II.The Dangerous Patten of the Period of the Judges
This theme is not just spoken of or first mentioned here. The book of judges records the dangerous pattern of a people who did not know God.
Judg 2:10-12
10 And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.
11 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:
12 And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger.
Judges 3 speaks of an even sadder group, a group who forgot the lord?
Judg 3:7
7 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and forgat the LORD their God, and served Baalim and the groves.
III.How is Ignorance of Such an Obvious God Possible?
Judg 2:10-12
10 And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the Lord, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.
11 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim:
12 And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that were round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger.
I examine the words of David and God becomes so obvious to me even in the insignificant things of this life.
Ps 97:1-6
The LORD reigneth; let the earth rejoice; let the multitude of isles be glad thereof.
2 Clouds and darkness are round about him: righteousness and judgment are the habitation of his throne.
3 A fire goeth before him, and burneth up his enemies round about.
4 His lightnings enlightened the world: the earth saw, and trembled.
5 The hills melted like wax at the presence of the LORD, at the presence of the Lord of the whole earth.
6 The heavens declare his righteousness, and all the people see his glory.
If anyone was to know this it would have been Israel for they had experienced the power of God much too many a time in their past. This however was just the past and now God had become just a God he had lost realness to them.
A god who is not experienced by his people is really no God at all.
Pharaoh, the great king of Egypt had no doubt seen or heard of the people of Israel’s worship and prayer to their God. Yet without an experience of this God his words leave us jaw dropped in shock – How could he ever say that?
Ex 5:2
2 And Pharaoh said, Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice to let Israel go? I know not the LORD, neither will I let Israel go.
These examples of people Ignorant of divine rings an alarm of caution to every one of us. It seems quite obvious to me that this lack of knowledge was not exactly deliberate. It happen because a lack of something. A lack of diligence after God resulting in a lack of experience.
Without Revival We Raise Up A Generation and A Church Who Will Not Know God.
IV.The Story Of Gideon’s Day
Judg 6:1-5
6 And the children of Israel did evil in the sight of the LORD: and the LORD delivered them into the hand of Midian seven years.
2 And the hand of Midian prevailed against Israel: and because of the Midianites the children of Israel made them the dens which are in the mountains, and caves, and strong holds.
3 And so it was, when Israel had sown, that the Midianites came up, and the Amalekites, and the children of the east, even they came up against them;
4 And they encamped against them, and destroyed the increase of the earth, till thou come unto Gaza, and left no sustenance for Israel, neither sheep, nor ox, nor ass.
5 For they came up with their cattle and their tents, and they came as grasshoppers for multitude; for both they and their camels were without number: and they entered into the land to destroy it.
Israel then cried unto the Lord – God however did not immediately relive them. God desires reform, not just a quick fix.
They sinned because they did not know God.
Lack of church attendance,worship, commitment.
Judg 6:7-10
7 And it came to pass, when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD because of the Midianites,
8 That the LORD sent a prophet unto the children of Israel, which said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I brought you up from Egypt, and brought you forth out of the house of bondage;
9 And I delivered you out of the hand of the Egyptians, and out of the hand of all that oppressed you, and drave them out from before you, and gave you their land;
10 And I said unto you, I am the LORD your God; fear not the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but ye have not obeyed my voice.
Because they did not truly know God they disobeyed him.
V.What Should I Know About God
A basic knowledge of god will include among other things these things.
God is a Consuming Fire
Deut 4:23-24
23 Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the LORD your God, which he made with you, and make you a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, which the LORD thy God hath forbidden thee.
24 For the LORD thy God is a consuming fire, even a jealous God.
God Has Blessed You In The Past
Ex 20:2-3
2 I am the LORD thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.
3 Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
I love you enough to deliver , will you love me enough to obey me?
He can do it again.
God Never Changes
Mal 3:6
6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed.
Same yesterday today and Forever
God is All Powerful
God is Thinking of Me
