DESTROYED FOR THE LACK OF KNOWLEDGE

From the Board of Elders

Dear Members in Christ,

Destroyed for the lack of knowledge

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge…” Hosea 4:6

With the death of King Solomon, the united kingdom of the Jewish nation was split into two. The northern kingdom was known as Israel and the southern kingdom, Judah. Hosea was the prophet of the northern kingdom before she fell to the conquering army of the Assyrians in 721 BC.

The Temple of God, built by King Solomon was located in Jerusalem, the southern kingdom of Judah. With 2 different kings now ruling the divided nations, King Jeroboam of the northern kingdom decided to discourage his people from travelling into Jerusalem for worship. King Jeroboam then decided to set up his own places of worship, with 2 golden calves, one each located in Dan and Bethel, respectively in the north and south of his kingdom, Israel.

Religious worship and moral living in Israel declined rapidly as paganism and idolatry took hold of the population. Their priests had not been doing their job, for the Word of God was neglected and not taught. They were setting a terrible example for the people to follow. The leaders and priests had led the people into sinning. The people had forgotten the laws of God and had put God aside completely. There was no shame and accountability to the Almighty God who had chosen them to be His people. They were happy and contented in what they did. They were behaving like other gentile nations around them. There was no fear of God. Even when they worshipped the Almighty God, it was just external, meaningless and routinely performed. With their mouth they worshipped and prayed but their hearts were far away! Their hearts had gone astray to play the harlot. Their spiritual lives deteriorated. God was indeed appalled by their godlessness, immorality and extreme wickedness that they had exhibited. The nation of Israel was indeed destroyed for lack of knowledge “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge …” Hosea 4:6a. 

What is idolatry?

Idolatry is simply the worship of something or someone other than the true living God. In other words, God had been replaced by that something or someone in the hearts of men e.g. the love of money, carnality and materialism. They take precedence over God. God comes second, if at all, in worship and decision making when God should have the pre-eminence and loyalty in the life of a Christian.  

God is love

God is displeased and sternly rebuked His unfaithful people by sending Hosea to warn them. God wants His people to know their sinful, perverse and idolatrous way of lives. They rebelled and worshipped idols instead of God. They became unfaithful and scorned the loving relationship that God had with them. Yet God was patient and loving, willing to forgive them, if only they would be faithful once again and return to Him.

Word of Warning

Whilst meditating on the book of Hosea, I pray that CJBPF will not fall to the sins of paganism and idolatry for lack of knowledge lest CJBPF incurs the judgement and wrath of God. Let us be forewarned and abide in God’s Word. To the teachers of God’s Word, please continue to teach and preach. Let the people learn. Today, God’s people even have the Word of God in their own hands. There is no reason for His people not to be nurtured and admonished in God’s Word. Let us not fall into this temptation of giving reasons and excuses in not knowing and obeying God’s Word!

Examine ourselves

There are questions that we need to ask ourselves: Do we know the Word of God? Do we spend sufficient time to hear and study His Word? Are we filled with the knowledge of God? Are we walking in faith daily with Him? Are we bearing the fruit of the Spirit? Do we have other priorities in our lives that these become our idols and NOT God? Do we rejoice in the fellowship of the saints? Do we seek to do His Will? Do we have a burden to ensure that we seek after righteousness and sin less and less every day? Can we say to ourselves that we love God and we would want to please Him with our lives? Do we give thanks to God in all things? Do others, outside the church, see Christ in us?

Let us come before the Throne of Grace and ask God for mercy and grace that we may answer each question carefully and truthfully. If we have sinned against God by having idols in our hearts, may God forgive us and, in repenting, may we return unto Him. “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin ...” 2 Chronicles 7:14.

Lively Stones for God:

We have just entered the new Year 2022. Let us resolve to spend more time to learn, know, obey, love and walk with God. He is merciful and a loving God who loves and cares for us. Let us fear God and know His commandments. “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge…” Proverbs 1:7

Remember, do not take the learning of God’s Word lightly otherwise we will be destroyed for lack of knowledge. Study diligently and rightly dividing the Word of God so that we will abound and not be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge and work of God. From every church leader to congregation member let us have His Word written in our hearts that we might not sin against Him. God’s Word is a lamp unto our feet, a light unto our path.

May we continue to be faithful and testify for the goodness of God. May CJBPF, and her people, be blessed and preserved to be the beacon of light, the salt and light of the world and lively stones for many generations to come. Young and old, let us continue to shine and live for God. Do pray for God’s blessings and leading.

“I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore. O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. Every day will I bless thee; and I will praise thy name for ever and ever.” Psalms 86:12, 34:3, 145:2

In Christ, 
Eld. Choe Tong Seng