The lack of knowledge

Today’s passage continues from the previous one, in which the sins of the priests are condemned. Let us confirm again: the priests were not only responsible for performing rituals, but they were also given the duty of instructing the common people. Yet these priests forgot their responsibilities and acted selfishly. (1) God calls these treacherous priests “My people.” No matter how much the people of Israel rebel against God, the fact that they are God’s chosen people does not change. When they rebel against God, they cannot partake of the blessings given to God’s people, but their position as God’s people is never revoked. (2) The priests rejected the knowledge that had been given to them by God. They abandoned their responsibility to teach God’s word to the people and to lead them to God. Because the priests rejected knowledge, God says that He will also reject them. (3) When a person rejects the knowledge of God, what follows is “ignorance concerning the Word.” Because the priests forgot the instruction of God, He says that He will also forget their children.

From ignorance to destruction

After ignorance comes destruction. As the number of priests increased, they committed even more sins. (1) They abandoned the honorable task of making known the will of God to the people. This is to turn the glory of God into shame. (2) Their concern was not to bring spiritual blessing to the people but to enrich themselves. They desired that the people would commit more sins, because they lived off the sin offerings that the people brought for atonement. (3) Thus, the corruption of the leaders inevitably brought about the corruption of the people, and the entire nation began to suffer the consequences of spiritual decay. No matter how much they ate, they would no longer be satisfied. And even though they committed adultery in the pagan fertility rites, they would no longer be able to increase their descendants. This is because God was judging them. Let us pay attention to the following three steps that lead to destruction: (1) Rejecting the Word of God. (2) Falling into spiritual ignorance. (3) Bringing destruction upon oneself. Let us apply these three steps to ourselves. If we are intentionally rejecting or ignoring the Word of God, then we are drawing near to destruction. Let us earnestly seek the Word of God.