WHO IS RESPONSIBLE?

My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.  I also will reject you from being My priest, since you have forgotten the law of your God.  Hosea 4:6

    When people languish, it is not because God isn’t faithful or loving, or strong, it is due to a lack of knowledge.  People may not be completely ignorant either.  They may know just enough to convince themselves that they know enough.

    The ones ultimately responsible for making sure the people are equipped with the knowledge of God are the priests, the religious leaders.  In Hosea’s time, even they forgot God’s law.  What chance then, did the common man have!

    Can you hear the call?  Any of us who possess a knowledge of God and His Word must do two things. 

1.)  We must learn more.  Knowledge of God is more than just an intellectual study of the Scriptures.  It is walking with the person of God as you obey His Word.  To grow in our knowledge of God must be our first priority every single day.  It must be the burning passion that determines where we spend our Sabbath.

2.)  We must pass on our knowledge.  I realize that not everyone has been bestowed with the spiritual gift of teaching.  Nonetheless, all are teachers because every person has the ears of another.  Every person is watched by another.  As long as that is the case, we are in a position to pass on our faith.

    Some who read this today are the priests.  They are the ones who have been to seminary.  They are the ones who may lack formal education but who have been gifted with a childhood filled with biblical instruction.  Can you hear the call?  Maximize every opportunity to pass on knowledge, through instruction, through intentionally mentoring others.  Let them see your relationship with God in action.

    About seven years ago, an older woman I deeply respect made a passing comment to me after coming to a Daughters of Promise Event.  Upon hearing me deliver what she called ‘an inspirational message’, she hugged me and said.  “You have a gift.  You are a communicator.  Now, your stories were thrilling, but don’t forget that the only thing that really changes people is the Word of God.  Teach it!”  I was mildly offended but over time, I grew to thank her.  My awe for the Scriptures has deepened and it trembles in my hand.  My greatest privilege is to teach it all the time, whenever I have the opportunity to grace even the smallest platform.

I will do my part, Lord, to pass on a knowledge of You for the rest of my life.  Amen