Hosea 8:12

I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing.

Hosea 8:12 (KJV)

Context

Hosea, one of the twelve minor prophets in the Old Testament, prophesied to the northern kingdom of Israel during a time of great spiritual and moral decline. The people had turned away from God and embraced idolatry and injustice. Hosea’s prophecies were intended to call the Israelites to repentance and warn them of the consequences of their actions.

In this verse, God speaks through the prophet Hosea, expressing His frustration and disappointment with the people of Israel. The verse can be divided into two parts.

Meaning

First, God declares, “I have written to him the great things of my law.” This refers to the giving of His law to the Israelites, which includes the Ten Commandments and other instructions for righteous living. The phrase “great things” can also be rendered as “precious,” “honorable,” or “many things,” emphasizing the abundance of God’s instructions. God had revealed His law to His people as a guide to walk in His ways and experience blessings and prosperity.

Second, God laments, “but they were counted as a strange thing.” Sadly, the people of Israel had disregarded God’s law and treated it as something unfamiliar and alien. They failed to recognise its importance, relevance, and authority in their lives. Instead of embracing the truth and wisdom contained in God’s law, they rejected it and pursued their own sinful desires. This rejection was inexcusable because God had repeatedly communicated His will through the prophets, so the people could not plead ignorance.

Biblical connections

The verse highlights God’s initiative in revealing His law to His people. He graciously shared His wisdom and guidance, desiring them to live according to His principles. It shows that God cares deeply about our well-being and desires to guide us in the right path through His Word.

The verse also portrays the sad reality of how the Israelites responded to God’s law. They treated it as something foreign and irrelevant, choosing to ignore its teachings. Throughout the book of Hosea, we see how Israel’s rejection of God’s law led to their downfall. By ignoring God’s instructions and pursuing their own desires, they experienced judgment and destruction. The broader context of Hosea 8 shows Israel’s unfaithfulness and reliance on worldly alliances, which contrasted with their neglect of God’s law.

Application

As believers, we should value and treasure God’s Word. The Bible contains the great things of God’s law, which are relevant and applicable to our lives today. We should diligently study and seek to understand God’s Word, embracing it as our guide for righteous living. By doing so, we can avoid the pitfalls of disregarding God’s commands and experience the blessings that come from obedience.

Reflection

This verse challenges us to examine whether we truly honor God’s written Word or treat it as foreign to our lives. God’s law is a precious gift, not a burden to be dismissed. The law also pointed to Christ, as the ceremonial aspects foreshadowed His sacrifice, but Israel missed this because they counted the law as strange. Treating God’s Word as irrelevant leads to spiritual ruin, while valuing it leads to life.