Lack of True Knowledge, Part 1
David W Palmer
So far, we have seen that the God of knowledge wants us to have knowledge, he gives knowledge, it is hidden in Jesus, and that knowledge has many benefits. Next, we look at what effect a lack of knowledge would have on our lives.?
(Proverbs 1:22–29 NKJV) “How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity? For scorners delight in their scorning, And fools hate knowledge. {23} Turn at my rebuke; Surely I will pour out my spirit on you; I will make my words known to you. {24} Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand and no one regarded, {25} Because you disdained all my counsel, And would have none of my rebuke, {26} I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your terror comes, {27} When your terror comes like a storm, And your destruction comes like a whirlwind, When distress and anguish come upon you. {28} Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; They will seek me diligently, but they will not find me. {29} Because they hated knowledge And did not choose the fear of the Lord.”
I guess we can all read from this passage the consequences of a lack of knowledge. The people described here didn’t just lack knowledge; the people whose “call” God didn’t answer actually “hated knowledge,” and they “did not choose the fear of the Lord.”?
This proverb says that they are “fools” because: they hate knowledge, they didn’t turn at God’s rebuke, they refused his outstretched hand, they disregarded his knowledge, and they disdained his counsel. That’s the reason that God laughed at their calamity.?
I know that doesn’t sound like the loving God we have come to know; but if anyone refuses his knowledge, the destructive consequences are of their own making, not his. God shows here that he originally wanted to reach out to them; he tried to help them, but they didn’t choose his way to receive his help. Later, they called on him, but because they had already refused God’s help the way he sent it, there was no other option available.?
I trust we can all learn from this and receive God’s help God’s way—through his knowledge. Yes, indeed, we must “learn of Jesus”; then we will discover his burden to be light and his yoke to be easy. He is truly lowly in heart and wants only what’s best for us, but it comes through learning, knowledge, and doing as he instructs:
(Matthew 11:28–30 NKJV) “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. {29} Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. {30} For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”
According to what Jesus said here, you cannot get the “rest” without taking the “yoke” and “burden” of learning.
2. Lack of Knowledge Leads to Captivity
(Isaiah 5:13 NKJV) “Therefore my people have gone into captivity, Because they have no knowledge ….”
God is the God of knowledge, and he warns us here regarding the dangers of being ignorant of it. The second consequence we discover from his word is that ignorance leads to captivity. This is not just physical restraint in prison, but the multitude of things that can captivate and enslave us in life: addictions, binding habits, bondages, demonic oppression, rebellion against God and his ways, etc.
Only by revelation knowledge, receiving and learning his wisdom, and by the gifts of the Holy Spirit can we obtain the keys to unlock whatever tries to bind us.
3. Lack of Knowledge Leads to Hunger and Thirst
(Isaiah 5:13 NKJV) “Therefore my people have gone into captivity, Because they have no knowledge; Their honourable men are famished, And their multitude dried up with thirst.”
Here, the terrible consequences of having no knowledge include hunger and thirst. This speaks of poverty or lack of provision. God is a provider; what’s more, he wants us to be blessed, have abundance, and prosper. But this too comes through learning and knowledge—learning how his economy works, and then by obedience to his way.
As we conclude today, I guess you can feel the tug of the Holy Spirit urging you to keep learning, to keep seeking more of his knowledge, and to “study to show yourself approved unto God” (2 Tim. 2:15 KJV2000)
(Psalm 119:47–48 NLT) “How I delight in your commands! How I love them! {48} I honor and love your commands. I meditate on your decrees.”