Ignorance, and human situation

Ignorance is part of the human condition: as finite creatures, human knowledge is incomplete, but human beings can trust God, whose knowledge is complete, to guide their steps.

Ignorance of God

Finite human beings cannot know God completely

Ecclesiastes 11:5 See also Job 38:1–7; Ecclesiastes 3:11

As you do not know the path of the wind, or how the bones are formed in a mother’s womb, so you cannot understand the work of God, the Maker of all things.

This ignorance will be dispelled at Jesus Christ's return

1 Corinthians 13:9–12

For we know in part and we prophesy in part, but when the perfect comes, the partial passes away. When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I set aside childish ways. Now we see but a dim reflection as in a mirror; then we shall see face to face. Now I know in part; then I shall know fully, even as I am fully known.

Ignorance of the future

Human beings are ignorant of future events

Ecclesiastes 8:7–8 See also Ecclesiastes 3:22, Ecclesiastes 9:12, Ecclesiastes 10:14, Ecclesiastes 11:2, Ecclesiastes 11:6; Acts 20:22

Since no one knows what will happen, who can tell him what is to come? As no man has power over the wind to contain it, so no one has authority over his day of death. As no one can be discharged in wartime, so wickedness will not release those who practice it.

Human beings are ignorant of the time of Jesus Christ's return

Mark 13:32–36 parallel Matthew 24:36–44

No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. Be on your guard and stay alert! For you do not know when the appointed time will come. It is like a man going on a journey who left his house, put each servant in charge of his own task, and instructed the doorkeeper to keep watch. Therefore keep watch, because you do not know when the master of the house will return — whether in the evening, at midnight, when the rooster crows, or in the morning. Otherwise, he may arrive without notice and find you sleeping.

Presumptious plans should therefore be avoided

James 4:13–16 See also Psalm 39:6; Proverbs 27:1; Luke 12:16–21

Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business, and make a profit.” You do not even know what will happen tomorrow! What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord is willing, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your proud intentions. All such boasting is evil.

God's guidance is essential

Proverbs 20:24 See also Proverbs 19:21; Jeremiah 10:23

A man’s steps are from the LORD, so how can anyone understand his own way?

Ignorance of doctrinal matters

Within the church

1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 See also 1 Corinthians 10:1–10, 1 Corinthians 12:1–11

Brothers, we do not want you to be uninformed about those who sleep in death, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who are without hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, we also believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in Him. By the word of the Lord, we declare to you that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise. After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words.

God has established teachers to combat ignorance

1 Corinthians 12:28 See also Ephesians 4:11–13; 1 Timothy 4:13, 1 Timothy 5:17; 2 Timothy 3:16–17

And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues.

Ignorance may lead to death

Proverbs 9:17–18 See also Proverbs 4:19, Proverbs 7:21–23

“Stolen water is sweet, and bread eaten in secret is tasty!” But they do not know that the dead are there, that her guests are in the depths of Sheol.