In the context of biblical history, the concept of ignorance refers to the lack of knowledge or awareness of God's will, laws, and divine truths. This ignorance is often attributed to earlier times, particularly before the revelation of God's word through the prophets and ultimately through Jesus Christ. The Bible addresses this ignorance in various passages, highlighting both the consequences and the divine response to it.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, ignorance is often associated with the nations that did not know the God of Israel. The Israelites were chosen to be a light to the nations, tasked with revealing God's character and laws. However, even among the Israelites, there were periods of ignorance due to disobedience and idolatry. Hosea 4:6 states, "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you as My priests. Since you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children."

The ignorance of earlier times is also evident in the worship of false gods and the failure to recognize the sovereignty of the one true God. In Acts 17:30 , Paul addresses the Athenians, saying, "Although God overlooked the ignorance of earlier times, He now commands all people everywhere to repent."

New Testament Revelation

With the coming of Jesus Christ, the ignorance of earlier times is contrasted with the revelation of God's truth. Jesus is described as the "light of the world" (John 8:12), bringing clarity and understanding to those who were in darkness. The New Testament emphasizes that the mystery of God's plan, hidden for ages, has now been revealed through Christ. Ephesians 3:9 speaks of this revelation: "and to illuminate for everyone the stewardship of this mystery, which for ages past was kept hidden in God, who created all things."

The apostle Paul frequently addresses the ignorance of the Gentiles, who were once alienated from God. In Ephesians 4:18 , he writes, "They are darkened in their understanding and alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardness of their hearts."

Divine Forbearance and Call to Repentance

Despite the ignorance of earlier times, the Bible reveals God's forbearance and patience. Acts 17:30 highlights that God "overlooked the ignorance of earlier times," indicating His willingness to forgive and extend grace. This divine patience is not an endorsement of ignorance but a call to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ.

The apostle Peter also speaks to this theme in 1 Peter 1:14 , urging believers to live as obedient children: "As obedient children, do not conform to the passions of your former ignorance." This call to transformation underscores the expectation that believers, having received the knowledge of Christ, should no longer live in ignorance but in the light of God's truth.

Conclusion

The Bible presents ignorance of earlier times as a state of spiritual blindness and separation from God. However, through the revelation of Jesus Christ and the teachings of the apostles, this ignorance is dispelled, and believers are called to live in the knowledge and truth of God's word.