Hosea 4:1-19
This text is tailored to teach us that God judges unfaithfulness even when unfaithfulness is a result of ignorance.
I. The Problem: There is no integrity, love, or knowledge of God among his people. (v. 1-3)
II. The Source of the Problem: God’s Word is not faithfully taught by the leaders of God’s people. (v. 4-8)
III. The Consequences of the Problem
a. God’s people become like their leaders and are punished for it. (v. 9)
b. God’s people are not satisfied by their unfaithfulness. (v. 10-11)
c. God’s people go to the wrong sources for knowledge. (v. 12)
d. God’s people are given over to their passions. (v. 13-14)
IV. A Commendable Response to the Problem: Keep your distance from professing Christians and churches who do not revere God’s Word and are comfortable in their ignorance. (v.15-19)
V. The good news is that Jesus desires to forgive us in our ignorance and has already done what is necessary to make forgiveness possible.
VI. Questions for Reflection
1. Is knowledge of God leading you to faithfully live for God?
2. How can you contribute to a church culture that values the faithful teaching of God’s Word?
3. Are there people in your life or churches you’re familiar with that you need to be careful around because although they profess Christ, they are not seeking to apply God’s Word to all of life?
4. How do Jesus’ words from the cross “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do” encourage you?
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