“My people perish for their lack of knowledge” (Hosea 4:6)

This was Hosea’s indictment against the Israelites in the 8th century BC. What knowledge was Hosea talking about? First and foremost, the knowledge of God and His will for His people. The people of God often times are like their forebears in the times of Hosea. Even now there is no knowledge of God in the land. They follow blindly what human leaders tell them, secular or religious. They don’t ask - is it really God’s will that we discriminate against different nationalities and within one nationality, discriminate against various races.

They blindly discriminate against the unvaccinated though many are not anti-vaccines but for some reasons could or would not be vaccinated. How come now they bar people from entering the “church” which shows how little understanding of the concept of the church among believers. Is it God’s will that we stop unvaccinated people from worshipping with the rest when those unvaccinated are evidently healthy and even prepared to be tested at the church door. How come we have become Pharisees, exalting rule and regulation instead of the Word of God? God in Christ welcomes everyone just as the Gospel is for everyone, so also the church is made up of all peoples regardless of their vaccination status. There is no requirement to be part of the church. The sinners are welcome so that they can be converted. The sick is welcome so they can be healed. The lepers are welcome so they can be cleansed. As God is all loving, He does not reject anyone who comes to Him and now we have rules to hinder people from worship. Is it still the church, so fearful and bound by human traditions? Only God knows and it is precisely for that reason Christ stands outside the door of the church, per chance someone “inside” might hear and open the door. Or else they have become a Christless church, their lampstand is taken away but they happily light their own light (Isaiah). My people perish for the lack of knowledge.