Note in Hosea 4:6a, “My people are destroyed (or cut off) for lack of knowledge.” Hosea blamed the religious leaders of the day (the Priests) for his people having a lack of knowledge of God. Note (verse 6b-c), “because thou(the Priests) hast rejected knowledge…that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God…”
God’s spiritual spokesmen have a great responsibility to God’s people; that is to live before them so as to be examples of God’s Righteousness and to instruct His People in Righteousness (Ephesians 4:12-16; 1 Timothy 4:12) that they might be saved temporally and spiritually.
Who is at fault? (Is it the Pulpit or the people?) Obviously, Hosea answers this question; it is the Spiritual Leaders of God’s flock. The result is disastrous for the Spiritual Leader, as well as the people of God, as well as the nation (verses 7-11). Also see Proverbs 14:34, “Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people.”
Even in our day, the Man of God must be pure in his attitude, actions, and attire. He must not be afraid to say, “Thus saith the Lord.” He must submit himself daily to wholly follow the Lord. He must not fear their faces, but always stand in the gap and preach the Word of God regardless of the cost.
Let the Man of God remember Paul’s words to Timothy:
(1 Timothy 4:12b) “…but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation (or manner of behavior), in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. (13) Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. (15) Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. (16) Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them (the flock) that hear thee.”
The problem in Hosea’s time and with many religious leaders today is (verse 6d), “seeing thou (the Priests) hast forgotten the law of thy God.”
When the Man of God’s goals include pleasing himself, a blatant disregard for the people of God, and utmost, his failing to please God as His spokesman to the Church and to the lost; then, in the end all suffer.
Where is the Man of God today that is first a Saint of God, a Spokesman for God, a Servant to God and His People, and a Steward of the Mysteries of God? When you find that man, you will not find a people that are destroyed for a lack of knowledge; but you will find a people blessed of God and exalted of God and their children blessed of God.
Look for that kind of Man of God, for the Truth will make you free (John 8:32). If your spiritual leader is not preaching and practicing the Word of God, then find one that is, for you to be preserved.
It is each individual’s responsibility to search the Scriptures to see if these things be so. Be alert, child of God; be sensitive to the Holy Spirit of God; pray and God will lead you out of darkness into His Marvelous Light.
Remember, it is easy to blame the Spiritual Leader; but be wise and compare Spiritual things with Spiritual things. God will reveal His Truth to you. Therefore, whose fault is it if you walk and live in error?
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