Hosea 4:6 — “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law [Torah] of thy God, I will also forget thy children.”

I’ve entered into what are commonly referred to as The Minor Prophets.  However, there is nothing “minor” about them.  They’re not all small books nor are they lacking in potent material.  Actually, some of the most powerful material you read in the Bible is in “The Minor Prophets.”

Some of the time I blog from where I’m reading … unless some random thought or topic is rolling around inside of me.  So, this is where I am in my reading of Hosea.

This verse is a very well known verse.  Most people have a general impression of what it is referring to in it’s meaning.  But, there may be a bit more here than casually meets the eye.  My intention isn’t to delve into the depths of this verse, however.  I just want to focus on some basics.

First off, it’s talking not to the world of the lost but rather to “my people.”  It’s addressing those who are designated collectively as His.  And, those to whom He’s talking to are headed for destruction.  As a matter of fact, it’s so anticipated that it sounds like there’s no turning back. But yet, the total dispersion of His people is many years in the future.

What’s the main issue?  The lack of knowledge is leading to a Torahless nation.  But what is the knowledge that is being referred to?  Yes, in fact, it does apply to knowledge of the Scriptures/Torah.  However, that is a symptom of the main problem.  

What is the main problem?  

I think we’re told that in verse 1 of this chapter:  “Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel: for the Lord hath a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.”  

There’s no “knowledge of God in the land.”  In other words, they don’t know God … at least as they should. The personal relationship with God through faith is not on display in their lives. Tragically, this lack of knowledge is widespread throughout the land.  

And …it appears that the Priesthood is at the top of the heap.  

However, this might not refer to just to the High Priest and/or the regular priests, but to the national priesthood of the people as well.  We’re told in Exodus 19:5-6 —5 “Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: 6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation.”

Here’s the basic principal.  When people just “know” about God there is an automatic disconnect from His Torah.  I don’t mean just the Scriptures in general but to the part that is commonly referred to as Torah = the “Old Testament.”  And primarily to those aspects of it that Christianity has historically abrogated to the ash heap of “Jesus did away with all that stuff.”

One of the great blessings of coming to the Hebraic/Messianic mindset is that it automatically creates a hunger for more, NOT less, of God.  And, you find more of God … where?  Not in visions or dreams, but in His Word.  All of it.

Let me give you an illustration of what I what you to envision.

I love Mozart.  For some reason his music touches me like little else does — even Elvis, gasp!. So when I first came in contact with the “Mozart mind set” a little wasn’t enough.  I reflexively desired more, NOT less, of Mozart.  Therefore I now have pretty much all of what is available, except the operas.  That’s still a little of a stretch for me.

Could it be that there really is more, and NOT less, for us right at our finger tips, literally?  Why not explore the possibility that perhaps, just perhaps, Jesus didn’t come to DESTROY the Torah or the prophets.  Perhaps if you will come to believe that, you won’t fall into the category of those that are DESTROYED for lack of knowledge — Torah knowledge. There is a wellspring waiting to satiate the thirst inside of you. 

So then if Yeshua didn’t destroy the Torah, that might just be a good place to start digging to see what waters you’ll find to quench the thirst that I know is in you.

God is doing a wonderful thing in the hearts of people.  He’s creating a soul-thirst for more of Him which can only be quenched by ALL of His Word lived out as best it can without a priesthood or Temple.  The fact that there is presently no priesthood or Temple cuts out most of peoples’ concerns and questions.  You really are just left with the basics that God knew people would be able to carry out in the Diaspora/Dispersion until Yeshua returns.  

Take a risk.  Dig in.  See what you will find.  Don’t be surprised if you find a thirst within you that is just longing to be quenched.

I did.