The Dangerous End Of Ignorance

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.