A people without understanding will come to ruin.

Hosea 4:14, NIV 

 

Most people will never read the Old Testament books of the prophets. I'm not sure exactly why - there are probably a lot of reasons. Some think that it is old news. Some think that since they contain actual prophecies that they cannot be understood. Some people don't think that they have the time. Most probably just don't think about them at all.

 

But the fact is that the books of prophecy are vital to our understanding of God and the way that He deals with His children. It is true that these books do contain prophetic messages that are sometimes hard if not impossible to understand completely, but they are also filled with messages of hope, of warning, and of instruction. And throughout these books, God warns the people over and over that they themselves are responsible for knowing His commandments.

 

And those who never learn and understand God's will, will most certainly come to ruin someday. Here is the way some of the other inspired writers of God's holy Word put it:

 

"There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." Proverbs 16:25, NIV

 

"My people are destroyed from a lack of knowledge." Hosea 4:6(a), NIV

 

"Not everyone who says to Me, "Lord, Lord" will enter the kingdom of heaven,

but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven." Matthew 7:21, NIV

 

"Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed

and who correctly handles the word of truth." II Timothy 2:15, NIV

 

This is why we bother! Are you reading all of the Word of God?

 

"Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as My priests;

because you have ignored the law of your God, I will also ignore your children."

Hosea 4:6(b), NIV 

 

Today is the 24th day of the 30 day challenge to read through the books of the prophets of God, with Hosea 1-7 being the reading for today. May God richly bless you as you seek His will and as you apply it to your life!