Hosea 8:12

“Hosea 8:12 (KJV): I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing.”

Historical Context: Hosea is one of the twelve minor prophets in the Old Testament. He 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:

a) “I have written to him the great things of my law”: Here, God refers to the giving of His law to the Israelites, which includes the Ten Commandments and other instructions for righteous living. God had revealed His law to His people as a guide to walk in His ways and experience blessings and prosperity.

b) “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 strange. They had 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.

Key Lessons:

• God’s Revelation: 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.
• Rejection and Disregard: The verse 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. It serves as a warning against neglecting God’s Word and the danger of disregarding His commands in our lives.

• Consequences of Ignoring God’s Law: 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. This verse serves as a reminder that disregarding God’s commands can have serious consequences in our lives as well.

d) 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.