Hosea 4:6 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.

This is probably the most commonly quoted scripture out of the Book of Hosea.  Well, part of it anyway.  “My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge.”  This part is often used to point out how lack of knowledge, wisdom, good sense, or information can doom a person, project or nation.

Some point out that this “lack of knowledge” is specifically a rejection of God and His Word, in particular among the ministers of God’s Word (remember: Peter wrote that we all are a part of the priesthood).

Both are true.  I think this is a perfect example how scripture is alive.  The Word of God works on at least three levels.  It means something for the people that it was given to at the time.  It brings forth a universal truth.  It means something to a given reader at a given time.  (That’s why the same scripture can drive home a particular point to you now, it meant something else when you read it years ago, and it will be applied differently in another situation to you in the future).

What is clear in any instance, for this particular scripture, is: when we reject God or the knowledge that God has provided, it will have a very bad consequence.

Thank God, He is merciful.