trusted online casino malaysia
Realizing the presence, promise, and power of the Kingdom of God.
The DEEP

Knowledge

is at the core of faith.

Hosea 4:1-6 (NKJV)

Hear the word of the LORD,
You children of Israel,
For the LORD brings a charge against the inhabitants of the land:

“There is no truth or mercy
Or knowledge of God in the land.
By swearing and lying,
Killing and stealing and committing adultery,
They break all restraint,
With bloodshed upon bloodshed.
Therefore the land will mourn;
And everyone who dwells there will waste away
With the beasts of the field
And the birds of the air;
Even the fish of the sea will be taken away.

“Now let no man contend, or rebuke another;
For your people are like those who contend with the priest.
Therefore you shall stumble in the day;
The prophet also shall stumble with you in the night;
And I will destroy your mother.
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.
Because you have rejected knowledge,
I also will reject you from being priest for Me;
Because you have forgotten the law of your God,
I also will forget your children.”

Notice that, “knowledge” occurs three times in this passage. Knowledge (or lack of it) is the root of the problem. Israel isn’t just lazy or selfish; they’re lost. Their compass is broken.

There is no truth or mercy
Or knowledge of God in the land.

Doing wrong is bad; not knowing right from wrong is worse. In the US legal system, it’s the definition of insanity. Worse yet, this was Israel’s choice.

Because you have rejected knowledge,
I also will reject you from being priest for Me;
Because you have forgotten the law of your God,
I also will forget your children.

Ouch. My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.

But all is not lost. They’re still “My people.”


Knowledge isn’t just one aspect of faith. It’s at the core.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. – Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV)

Faith isn’t just thinking, “It’s true!”

It’s knowing it.


All the weekly study guides, which include all five devotionals plus related questions for discussion or meditation, are available for download here:

https://www.ailbe.org/resources/itemlist/category/91-deep-studies

The Job book is on Amazon and is eligible for Amazon Prime. The Kindle edition will be out soon.

https://www.amazon.com/Higher-Purposes-Lesson-God-Job/dp/1684719534

Mike Slay

As a mathematician, inventor, and ruling elder in the Presbyterian Church in America, Mike Slay brings an analytical, conversational, and even whimsical approach to the daily study of God's Word.

Subscribe to Ailbe Newsletters

Sign up to receive our email newsletters and read columns about revival, renewal, and awakening built upon prayer, sharing, and mutual edification.