Rejected- Hosea 4

Scripture: Hosea 4

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you from being priest for Me..." -Hosea 4:6a

In the days of Hosea, things had gotten pretty bleak in the land of Israel. On the outside, there were still some times of good things, but the inside was as spiritually rotten as a bad piece of fruit. Hosea wrote right before the fall of Israel to Assyria (722 BC), which was a judgment of the Lord on the land. The people had turned to worshiping other gods like household gods, the different poles, and even what sounds like a form of Druidism (they were worshiping trees and nature). There was also widespread sexual sin- adultery, harlotry, and general fornication- to the extent that no one could be punished because they were all involved in some sort of sexual sin themselves. God had said time and again that living that way is an abhorrence to Him and will lead to His judgment on the people. Therefore, His judgment- though the wrath of God had been turned away in the past by their repentance- would be coming because of their willful ignorance of Him and His commands. The people knew they were doing wrong and did not care, but continued.

We can be a lot like Israel here in America today. We think that we can call ourselves "Christians", and continue doing things God hates because He has grace on us. He does have grace on us, but just as Paul says in Romans 6:1-2, "What shall we say then? Shall we go on sinning that grace may abound? Certainly not! How shall we who died to sin live any longer in it?" Instead of rejecting God's instruction of truth and His knowledge, we should rather learn their lesson and seek out those things. By knowing God, we become better equipped to serve Him and make a difference. Matthew 6:33 exhorts us to "Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness", and in doing so, we are shaped more and more into His image. If we spend time growing with God and seeking Him first in our lives, we will be changed, and we will not be destroyed. Israel rejected God's instruction and paid dearly for it. Let us rather embrace His Word and become renewed and shaped into His likeness.

Lord, help me to take the time to grow with You daily. Help me to seek You first in all things and to cherish Your truth and Who You are. Let me embrace Your knowledge and Your understanding more every day. Amen.