Jump Start # 1620

Hosea4:6 “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children.”

Our verse today comes from the sad situations found in the book of Hosea. The people of God had turned away from God. They moved on. In terminology today, some would say that they had simply “out grown God.” God was old fashioned to them. God had rules. God would not tolerate being shared, especially with an idol. The Ten Commandments were not Ten Suggestions. All in or not at all, is how God views commitment.

To illustrate the pain that God was going through with this rebellious and wayward people, God had the prophet marry a prostitute. Hosea’s wife had children by other men while she was married to Hosea. That’s enough to end most marriages. Unfaithful. Not trustworthy. Hosea’s wife follows after her lovers and ends up on the auction block. Hosea buys her back. It’s a story of continual love and forgiveness. It’s a living illustration of what God was experiencing.

Our verse today highlights some of the problems with the nation. They chased after idols. They lacked knowledge. They forgot the law of God. They had rejected God. Their choices led them to the mess that they were in.

What happened to that wayward nation back then is what is happening in many homes and congregations today. A lack of knowledge has led to weak believers. It doesn’t take too much huffin’ and puffin’ by the wolf in sheep clothing to blow over the house we are in. Our foundations tend to be wobbly and we lack the strength to withstand a serious storm that may blow our way. A health crisis, a challenge within the congregation, someone standing up with an alternative view—and suddenly we don’t know what to do. We don’t know the answer. Like chicken-little, we run about screaming the “sky is falling, the sky is falling.” What we need is men and women who can stand up, draw a line in the sand where God has, and with conviction not be afraid to tell it like it is, with kindness and boldness. Without knowledge, a person doesn’t know what is right or wrong. They don’t know where they stand, because they don’t know. They waver. They bounce back and forth. As the Ephesians were warned, they toss about with every wind of doctrine. Believe this. Now believe that.

Why did Hosea’s people have a “lack of knowledge?” It was the priest’s job to teach. Two things seem to unfold from our verse.

First, they rejected knowledge. To be taught, a person must be willing to be taught. There is a responsibility  upon the student’s part. To reject it implies that they simply did not want to do what God had said. We have other ideas. We want something new. We want something better. We look at this differently than you do. Those are all the catch phrases of someone who is moving away from God. He’s rejected knowledge. He’s rejected truth. He’s through with it. No more. He is pursuing something else.

Second, they had forgotten the law. How do you forget? You forget when it’s not that important to you. You forget when other things come first in your life. You forget when you don’t use the law any more. It’s this point that is most disappointing. Believers who forget to be spiritual. Believers who forget during the week who they are and what they are supposed to be. They make choices and when you mention simple things such as “where are you going to worship at?” they respond, “Oh, I forgot.” You forgot? How can you forget? Young people date and get engaged. A wedding is planned. Everyone is excited. A simple question is asked, “Is he a Christian?” “What’s his background religiously?” And the FAMILY, the family says, “We’re not sure.” How did it get this far without that question being asked? How did it get that far without someone noticing something, asking something? How did it? They forgot. This happens with the choosing of a college to attend. Great school. Great scholarship. What about church? Is there a congregation near by? “We’re not sure?” What? How can you not be sure? How can you not be thinking about this? How can you send your child away for the next four years without any thought to her spiritual wellbeing? “We forgot?”

Aren’t you glad God isn’t in the forgetting business like we are. Can you imagine God forgetting to supply oxygen one day. What would happen if God said, “Opps, I forget to answer their prayers.” God never forgets. He never forgets you. He never forgets your name. He never forgets what you are going through. God never forgets.

How can we keep from forgetting? How can we keep from forgetting to pray? How can we keep from forgetting our walk with the Lord? How can we keep from forgetting who we are and what we are supposed to do? This starts in the home. It’s important for parents to keep reminding the kids. They will forget. They need reminders. If the parents forget, the kids will too.

Pray every morning. Send yourself a reminder if you must. Put it in your planner if you have to. This will put the Lord before you. This will help you. Then pray every time you eat. Pray often. Pray often. Pray often.

Listen to things that will help you. It may be a sermon. It may be a gospel CD. It may be the Bible on line. Fill your drive time with things that will help you. I know several couples that begin their day by reading these Jump Starts to each other.

Use your faith. The more you use it the more you tend to remember. Think about spiritual things. Think about Scriptures. Think about how to respond to a situation. Be mindful. Think before you send that text. Think before you hit the like button. Think before you post that picture. Think. Think spiritually. Think before you open your mouth. Think before you talk about another person. Think.

When you think, you are using your faith. You are applying the brakes of Heaven on your mouth and your actions.

Do something helpful for someone else. Encourage. Build up. Be there. Support. This will require you again to use your faith. Engage in good deeds is what is written in Titus several times. Get busy for others.

They forgot the law. Shame on them. We can do the same. Shame on us.

James tells us not to be a forget hearer.

Don’t forget!

Roger