Hosea 4:1-5:14
Dear RTB’ers,
Hosea, continued. God condemns Israel for their earthly sins (see Hosea 4:2) and for their worship of false gods (see Hosea 4:12-13).
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge… (4:6a), a well-known, oft-cited verse. Fundamentally, it’s what RTB is all about. From its beginning some 15 years ago RTB has had a mix of people – some with a great deal of Bible background and others from Episcopal and Catholic and other Protestant denominations who had very little Biblical knowledge beyond the Gospels. And while knowledge is wonderful, it’s only the beginning. I have often said to our Avanza children that I want them “to learn about Jesus, to know Him and the more they know Him the more they will love Him and begin to serve Him: Know Him, Love Him, Serve Him.”
With their flocks and herds they shall go to seek the LORD, but they will not find Him; He has withdrawn from them. (v. 5:6) In the midst of all their difficulties, Israel will finally seek “the LORD” – but in the manner that they know, seeking false gods, going with their flocks and herds to worship at false shrines. There they will not find the true God, the Lord of Israel. He has withdrawn from them. It seems reasonable to go one more verse in today’s reading, a follow-up to verse 6: I will return again to My place, until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face, and in their distress earnestly seek Me. (Hosea 5:15) Seek Him. Earnestly! Today.
Blessings!