These people were destroyed for their willing rejection of knowledge!

God judged His people who willfully rejected His wisdom and Laws. He had given them laws, precepts and wisdom so that they would live in peace, with blessings and with purpose. However, because of their pride and arrogance, they rejected His words. This greatly displeased God. Hosea 4:6 says: “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”. That is a chilling verse. God declared to those that willfully rejected His word that He would also reject them from being able to serve Him. This would also impact their children because God knew that they would not teach God’s law to their children. This would also cause judgement to fall upon the children since they would act just like their parents. God was pleased with Abraham and He knew that he would teach the law of God to His children (Genesis 18:19). Therefore He greatly blessed Abraham and his children. But those that reject His word will not be able to enjoy His presence. They will not be able to receive life from His word and promises. They will not teach their children, so it will also negatively impact their children. Learn from their example, and instead embrace His precepts and promises. It will be a lasting blessing to you and your family!

Never allow this to deceive you!

Ephesians 5:6 instructs us to not allow anyone to deceive us with vain words. The meaning of the word vain is quite revealing. It means: Undue or excessive pride, futility or ineffectualness, unsuccessful, useless, no real value, idle, worthless, to no end, without success or result, in an irreverent or blasphemous manner”.  The scriptures teach us that we are not  to take the name of the Lord our God in vainDeuteronomy 5:11 (RSV).  Vain words are illusory in nature, but they lack any real substance, and in most cases involve foolish pride. Even much of today’s commercials and marketing involve vain words. This week, pay special attention to words that people speak. You will find a lot of vain words being tossed around with no respect or regard to truth or righteousness. 

Ephesians 5:6 “Let no man deceive you with vain words…”