I’ve written about a lot of controversial topics from the Bible, but this one really takes the cake!

I am amazed at how ignorant we Christians can be concerning the word of God. I’m not alone! I’ve been in sales for much of my career and often found myself listening to Christian radio as I traveled. One of my favorite programs is Thru the Bible with J Vernon McGee. Even though Dr. McGee passed away in 1988, his program can still be heard today. In 1 Thessalonians 4:13, the apostle Paul writes “I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, …”

I can still hear Dr. McGee in his distinctive voice reading this verse. As I remember it, Dr. McGee pauses, chuckles and says, “I suppose that’s the largest denomination of Christians in the world, the Church of the Ignorant Brethren!”

I’ve also heard Dr. David Jeremiah on his radio broadcasts use Dr. McGee’s humorous anecdote to illustrate the importance of Biblical knowledge. The Apostle Paul additionally warns the churches at Corinth, Rome, Athens and others about being ignorant concerning God’s word. Jesus told his Apostles and Disciples to beware of false teachers and what false teachers would try to feed them from the word. Let’s take note here of a few things Jesus said concerning this from Matthew 16:

Matthew 16:6-12 KJV: Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees. [7] And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread. [8] Which when Jesus perceived, he said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread? [9] Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? [10] Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up? [11] How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees? [12] Then understood they how that he bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.

Before we go any further, let me tell you what put me on this rant. I recently saw an advertisement on a Christian channel hyping the virtues of a sponsor product called Ezekiel Bread. The packaging for this bread in large bold letters says EZEKIEL 4:9. Brethren, IF you have ever read the book of Ezekiel especially the rest of Chapter 4, the mere thought of eating something called Ezekiel Bread would turn your stomach. I know it did Ezekiel’s. Don’t believe me, read all of Ezekiel 4 for yourself. Pay particular attention to verse 4:12!

I don’t have space here to go over the entire context of the book of Ezekiel or all the threads leading up to it. However, I can tell you that Ezekiel is graphically illustrating what God is about to let happen in judgment to Jerusalem and Judah. Ezekiel as God’s faithful prophet is not only verbally telling them the curse promised in Deuteronomy 28 for disobedience is about to be poured out, he is literally acting it out. God often ask his prophets to do difficult task and suffer for others, but his rewards are great. Remember Ezekiel had already seen his vision of the holiness of God and it was sweet in his mouth, alas he has strength to swallow this bitter pill. See Ezekiel 3:3 and Revelation 10:10 for another clue.

If you have already read Ezekiel 4:12, you’ll know why I started out with “this one really takes the cake.”

If you don’t get any of the Bible’s veiled references or my feeble attempt at pithiness to entice you to study know this: It’s all about salvation. So I’ll close with what Peter had to say about it.

2 Peter 3:15-18 KJV: And account that the longsuffering of our Lord is salvation; even as our beloved brother Paul also according to the wisdom given unto him hath written unto you; [16] As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. [17] Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also, being led away with the error of the wicked, fall from your own stedfastness. [18] But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. To him be glory both now and for ever. Amen.