Since we have observed many practical lessons from the twenty-seventh book of the Bible, let us now move on to the twenty-eighth book, Hosea.

1. IGNORANCE LEADS TO DESTRUCTION.
Hosea 4:6 - "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being priest for Me; because you have forgotten the law of your God, I also will forget your children."

Some will affirm that ignorance is bliss, but in the ultimate sense this is false. Although knowledge often makes one more cognizant of suffering, it also can lead to powerful solutions (though we must grow in knowledge carefully; cf. I Cor. 8:1). Spiritually, when humans purposefully seek ignorance instead of understanding, they are behaving foolishly and are actually pursuing their own demise. When one is ignorant, he doesn't know how to pursue what is righteous but guides himself by his feelings. And this is how a lack of knowledge leads to destruction (cf. Luke 12:48).

2. GOD'S MEMORY IS LONGER THAN OURS.
Hosea 7:2 - "They do not consider in their hearts that I remember all their wickedness; now their own deeds have surrounded them; they are before My face."

With the passing of time and fading of memory, humans tend to minimize past iniquities. But such is not the case with the Almighty. Sins will not be forgotten unless they are forgiven! Sin separates man from God (cf. Isa. 59:1,2) and the passing of time is not equivalent to atonement.

3. WE REAP WHAT WE SOW--SOMETIMES EVEN WORSE.
Hosea 8:7; 10:12,13 - "They sow the wind, and reap the whirlwind. The stalk has no bud; it shall never produce meal. If it should produce, aliens would swallow it up...Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground, for it is time to seek the LORD, till He comes and rains righteousness on you. You have plowed wickedness; you have reaped iniquity. You have eaten the fruit of lies, because you trusted in your own way, in the multitude of your mighty men."

All through God's word, the concept of reaping what one sows is affirmed. Paul stated in Galatians 6:7,8 - "Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to the flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life." The principle is true for righteousness & wickedness. What man often forgets is that one's harvest doesn't come immediately after the planting. Time passes; perhaps a long time. But your harvest will eventually come. If all understood and truly believed that a life of sin leads to destruction, they would forsake it. But, some have been deceived into thinking that they can sow to the flesh and somehow reap eternal life.