Sadly, Israel’s experiences are still being repeated in many nations which God has blessed with His knowledge. The knowledge of God has been rejected, and these societies are in the painful process of inevitable self-destruction. This truth-rejection, self-destruction, divine-rejection cycle can also be seen in many Christian churches, schools, and universities.

Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you.— Hosea 4:6

God gave Israel more knowledge of Him than any other nation in the world. He gave them His law, His history, His poets, and His prophets. They had hundreds of chapters and thousands of verses. And yet, here God accuses them of “lack of knowledge.” How could they know so much and yet know so little? It was because they had rejected knowledge. They had received it but had rejected it.

Now, there is some knowledge we can do without. There are many subjects in the world that we can be totally ignorant of and yet live safely and happily. The knowledge of God through His Word is not one of them. The consequences of lacking knowledge of God are horrific and horrendous. God laments, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Israel’s deliberate choice to reject the knowledge of God and instead to be ignorant of God had catastrophic effects. And their rejection of knowledge resulted, eventually, in God’s rejection of them. “Because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you.”

Sadly, Israel’s experiences are still being repeated in many nations which God has blessed with His knowledge. The knowledge of God has been rejected, and these societies are in the painful process of inevitable self-destruction. This truth-rejection, self-destruction, divine-rejection cycle can also be seen in many Christian churches, schools, and universities.

But let’s make it personal. Has God given you His truth and are you rejecting it? Are you neglecting to read it? Are you disobeying it? Are you doubting it? This is not just geography or history or biology. This is eternity at stake.

Your schoolteacher imparts knowledge. You receive it. Your lecturer imparts knowledge. You receive it. Your boss imparts knowledge. You receive it. Your President imparts knowledge. You receive it. Your God imparts knowledge. You reject it. God says, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you.” In fact, this also has grave consequences for your children. Hosea goes on, “Seeing you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.” Look into the eyes of your children and see the eternal effects of your ignorance. Listen to these solemn words, “I will reject you.” And He will.

David Murray is Professor of Old Testament & Practical Theology at Puritan Reformed Theological Seminary. This article first appeared on his blog, Head Heart Hand, and is used with permission.