It paints a frightening picture for what's ahead (or what we're currently facing), unless there is repentance and transformation.
Hosea 4 verses 1-3,6a says:
"Listen to the word of the Lord, O sons of Israel[and Australia and the western world], for the Lord has a case against the inhabitants of the land, because there is no faithfulness or kindness or knowledge of God in the land.
There is swearing, deception, murder, stealing and adultery. They employ violence, so that bloodshed follows bloodshed.
Therefore the land mourns, and everyone who lives in it languishes along with the beasts of the field and the birds of the sky, and also the fish of the sea disappear.
My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priest…"
The list is long
"Swearing, deception, murder, stealing and adultery…violence", is this not a daily report whether you are listening, reading or watching the latest news?
In your workplace, the education system, and the media can you agree with me there is a lack of knowledge of God (although many may think they know God)?
If you will agree, we must accept the state of the western world is similar to the time Hosea received this word from the Lord. Looking further into this passage we find the key word 'therefore' to explain the current state of society and predict what's ahead as result of this sin.
Droughts, floods and other natural disasters, is this a land mourning the loss of the word of God for not living to the biblical principles He has laid out for us, beginning with his first instructions to be stewards of creation?
Abortion, euthanasia and decline in birth rates, are these not evidence of a diminishing population in western countries and loss of adherence to the word of God about the value of life?
Do not the numbers of threatened species (caused by poaching and human greed), excessive pollution, unnecessary waste and other environmental concerns show the rejection of our Godly responsibility to manage the animals and land before us?
Rejection of God
The answer, I believe the western world is living in a state of rejection of God and His word and the result is before our eyes (sometimes even glorified right in front of us e.g. sexual immorality in the media)
Now as Christians living in this world (although not 'of' this world) how can we respond?
One strong clue can be found in a book called 'The book that transforms nations' by Loren Cunningham. In this book we read about the power of the word of God to transform nations with specific examples in Church history that will shock and surprise you.
Often through the obedience of just one person a country can be radically transformed and stories throughout this book showcase the prosperity experienced by a group who will allow biblical truth to lead them (although prosperity should never be a motivation to follow God).
Taking the message of this book to a personal level, studying and applying the word of God should transform our lives and in turn impact the lives of those around us. Currently in the western world, (with a largely 'Christian' population) in which there is such turmoil I believe it's adherence to the truth of the word of God that will realign us to our creator and restart our society. It's the knowledge of God obtained through the bible that will provide us with the tools we need.
2 Timothy 3 verses 16-17says "All scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man [or woman] of God may be competent, equipped for every good work."
Reclaiming
How are you reading the bible? Are you reading the bible? Are you applying biblical truth to your life and are you picking and choosing how and when this happens or have you given your heart to the Lord to transform all of your being??
Let's reclaim our society for God! Starting with me!
Genevieve Wilson is married with two children who served with YWAM for eight years in Brisbane and now serving in mission in Canada as a modern day abolitionist.
Genevieve Wilson's previous articles may be viewed at www.pressserviceinternational.org/genevieve-wilson.html