Knowledge: Rejected
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In the biblical context, the rejection of knowledge is a theme that underscores the consequences of turning away from divine wisdom and understanding. The Scriptures frequently highlight the importance of knowledge, particularly the knowledge of God, and the peril that comes with its rejection.

Old Testament Context

The prophet Hosea provides a poignant illustration of the rejection of knowledge. In Hosea 4:6 , God laments, "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 will also forget your children." This passage underscores the direct correlation between the rejection of divine knowledge and the resulting judgment. The Israelites' failure to adhere to God's law and their pursuit of idolatry led to their downfall, illustrating the severe consequences of rejecting the knowledge of God.

Proverbs also speaks to the rejection of wisdom and knowledge. Proverbs 1:7 states, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." Here, the rejection of knowledge is equated with folly, emphasizing that true understanding begins with reverence for God. The book of Proverbs consistently contrasts the wise, who seek and embrace knowledge, with fools, who reject it.

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, the rejection of knowledge is often linked to the rejection of Christ and His teachings. Jesus Himself encountered resistance and rejection from those who refused to accept His message. In John 12:48 , Jesus declares, "There is a judge for the one who rejects Me and does not receive My words; the word that I have spoken will judge him on the last day." This highlights the eternal consequences of rejecting the knowledge of Christ and His gospel.

The Apostle Paul also addresses the rejection of knowledge in his epistles. In Romans 1:28 , he writes, "Furthermore, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God, He gave them over to a depraved mind, to do what ought not to be done." This passage illustrates the moral and spiritual decline that follows the rejection of God's knowledge, as individuals are left to their own devices and fall into sin.

Theological Implications

The rejection of knowledge in the Bible is not merely an intellectual oversight but a willful turning away from God's truth. It is often associated with pride, stubbornness, and a refusal to submit to divine authority. This rejection leads to spiritual blindness and separation from God, as seen in the lives of those who choose to ignore His commandments and guidance.

The biblical narrative consistently warns against the dangers of rejecting knowledge, urging believers to seek wisdom and understanding through a relationship with God. The fear of the Lord, as the foundation of knowledge, calls for humility and a willingness to learn from the Creator. The Scriptures encourage the pursuit of knowledge that leads to life and godliness, contrasting it with the destructive path of ignorance and rejection.
Nave's Topical Index
Hosea 4:6
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because you have rejected knowledge, I will also reject you, that you shall be no priest to me: seeing you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children.
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Jesus Rejected in Jerusalem.
... to spiritual life, and their consequent blinding of themselves to the knowledge
of God. ... Those who rejected Him were prompted to do so by their indifference to ...
/.../xix jesus rejected in jerusalem.htm

"Destroyed for Lack of Knowledge"
... "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge," was His message to them through
Hosea. "Because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee: . . . ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 24 destroyed for lack.htm

Messiah Despised, and Rejected of Men
... of Christ has often been, and is to this day, rejected and despised ... His perfect
knowledge and foresight of those sufferings, which we, emphatically, call His ...
/.../newton/messiah vol 1/sermon xvii messiah despised and.htm

The Knowledge of Jesus Christ the Best Knowledge
... unto God strange fire, and, consequently, will be rejected by him. Farther, as our
devotions to God will not, so neither, without this knowledge of Jesus Christ ...
/.../selected sermons of george whitefield/the knowledge of jesus christ.htm

True Knowledge not Held by the Philosophers.
... in the Areopagus, departed to the prison, ascribing to God alone the knowledge of
those ... in order that, the doctrine of a plurality of gods being rejected by all ...
/.../chapter xxxvi true knowledge not held.htm

On Development in Religious Knowledge. ...
... The intelligence, then, the knowledge, the wisdom, as well of individuals as of ... of
course, and the several individual portions having been rejected, what will ...
/.../the commonitory of vincent of lerins/chapter xxiii on development in.htm

The Evolution of Early Congregationalism the Stone which the ...
... EVOLUTION OF EARLY CONGREGATIONALISM The stone which the builders rejected is become ...
but never controlled by all other sources of knowledge; interprets that ...
/.../chapter i the evolution of.htm

Sources of Our Knowledge of Jesus
... was accustomed to honor Christ as God; but he shows no knowledge of the ... to the
resurrection as God's seal of approval of him whom his people rejected, forms a ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/ii sources of our knowledge.htm

The Knowledge of God
... goodwill of God, which is, that all should be saved and come to the knowledge of
the ... and took on him the form of a servant, and was despised and rejected of men ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xxi the knowledge of.htm

Different Degrees of Knowledge.
... be saved; and salvation is effected through both well-doing and knowledge, of both
of ... things which co-operate in the discovery of truth are not to be rejected. ...
/.../the stromata or miscellanies/chapter xv different degrees of knowledge.htm

Resources
How are people destroyed from a lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6)? | GotQuestions.org

What are the spiritual gifts of the word of wisdom and the word of knowledge? | GotQuestions.org

Why did God put the tree of knowledge of good and evil in the Garden of Eden? | GotQuestions.org

Knowledge: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

Bible ConcordanceBible DictionaryBible EncyclopediaTopical BibleBible Thesuarus
Subtopics

Knowledge

Knowledge is Pleasant

Knowledge is Power

Knowledge of Christ

Knowledge of God More than Burnt offering

Knowledge of Good and Evil

Knowledge of More Value than Gold

Knowledge of Salvation

Knowledge: "Now we Know in Part"

Knowledge: A Divine Gift

Knowledge: Desire For

Knowledge: Fools Hate

Knowledge: Key of

Knowledge: Rejected

Knowledge: Shall be Increased

Knowledge: The Earth Shall be Full of

Knowledge: The Fear (Reverence) of the Lord is the Beginning of

Knowledge: The Priest's Lips should Keep

Knowledge: Those Who Reject are Destroyed

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Knowledge-surpassing (1 Occurrence)

Know (8133 Occurrences)

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Kenosis

Samaritan (8 Occurrences)

Attain (30 Occurrences)

Cock's (7 Occurrences)

Stupid (20 Occurrences)

Anthropomorphism

You're (8 Occurrences)

Brutish (12 Occurrences)

Acquaintance (16 Occurrences)

Art (3201 Occurrences)

Shrewd (14 Occurrences)

Sacrificed (112 Occurrences)

Secrets (26 Occurrences)

Skill (26 Occurrences)

Key (8 Occurrences)

Simple (40 Occurrences)

Philosophy (1 Occurrence)

Acknowledge (61 Occurrences)

Complete (246 Occurrences)

Cry (431 Occurrences)

Ability (34 Occurrences)

Seeks (48 Occurrences)

Accordance (118 Occurrences)

Perfectly (24 Occurrences)

Claims (12 Occurrences)

Cherubim (63 Occurrences)

Consciousness (4 Occurrences)

Acquainted (21 Occurrences)

Activity (11 Occurrences)

Anyone's (12 Occurrences)

Arrogant (60 Occurrences)

Acquaint (1 Occurrence)

Searcher (6 Occurrences)

Scorner (12 Occurrences)

See (8256 Occurrences)

Suggestions (9 Occurrences)

Surpassing (21 Occurrences)

Scoffer (11 Occurrences)

Charity (29 Occurrences)

Summon (25 Occurrences)

Possess (193 Occurrences)

Searched (71 Occurrences)

Controversy (21 Occurrences)

Certainty (23 Occurrences)

Kid (42 Occurrences)

Belief (61 Occurrences)

Aware (44 Occurrences)

Seeketh (60 Occurrences)

Stored (55 Occurrences)

Stoics (1 Occurrence)

Arts (48 Occurrences)

Conscious (93 Occurrences)

Behaviour (115 Occurrences)

Secret (341 Occurrences)

Sort (143 Occurrences)

Selection (71 Occurrences)

Abound (36 Occurrences)

Zeal (45 Occurrences)

Subject (99 Occurrences)

Sees (135 Occurrences)

Clear (641 Occurrences)

Causing (248 Occurrences)

Approval (75 Occurrences)

Start (50 Occurrences)

Stores (53 Occurrences)

Chance (78 Occurrences)

Questions (76 Occurrences)

Pleasure (331 Occurrences)

Possible (133 Occurrences)

Crafts (2 Occurrences)

Control (88 Occurrences)

Search (186 Occurrences)

Skilled (44 Occurrences)

Sense (195 Occurrences)

Astrology

Knowledge: Key of
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