The Ruined Life

I was reading Hosea, this morning, in fact ended up reading all of it, except for the first few chapters. However, 4:7 struck me, in talking about increased sin of the priests and how the exchanged glory for disgrace. The Message puts interesting perspective on this passage.

You, priest, are the one in the dock. You stumble around in broad daylight, And then the prophets take over and stumble all night. Your mother is as bad as you. My people are ruined because they don’t know what’s right or true.

Because you’ve turned your back on knowledge, I’ve turned my back on you priests. Because you refuse to recognize the revelation of God, I’m no longer recognizing your children. The more priests, the more sin. They traded in their glory for shame.

Wow. As I reflected on this, I thought about how modern day church leaders have compromised and changed their point of view on social and cultural issues that we face today. Failing and worse, "refusing" to recognize the revelation of God. Turning their backs on knowledge. Meanwhile, society, communities and church leaders alike wonder why churches and congregations are falling apart and falling away.

Ruined... because they don't know what is right or true.

And this is certainly the case in modern-day America.

Pray for churches and church leaders alike; that there would a return to the revelation of God. Pray for repentance, and a second exchange, shame and disgrace, for the glory of God. Pray for a return to what is right and true and implementing those principles in our daily lives. Pray that stumbling blocks would be made apparent so that they may be avoided and fail in their purpose.

Lord, forgive us and restore us, both your people and leaders that you have set in place.

---