I have written to him the great things of my law, But they were counted as a strange thing (Hosea 8:12)
Introduction
The theme of Hosea’s prophetic book is spiritual adultery (Hos. 2:1-23). The context of this portion in Hosea is in the midst of God’s accusation against Israel. God’s people had broken their covenant with Him, and they had gone after other gods (Hos. 8:1). Israel also selected kings without God’s approval and built idols out of gold and silver (Hos. 8:4). With such behavior they had sowed the wind and reaped the whirlwind (Hos. 8:7).
Not least among God’s judgments was the statement that “I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing” (Hos. 8:12). Not only had Israel spurned faithfulness, true worship and God-given authority, they also rejected God’s Word. The root of Israel’s spiritual adultery, was the repudiation of Scripture. Without God’s Word they were doomed to disobey Him. You cannot have true worship bereft of Scripture. You cannot have spiritual fidelity without Scripture. The covenant was sentenced to failure as long as Israel considered God’s Word strange.
Such an outcome is inevitable for the Christian as long as they neglect the Bible. No doubt, Christians believe the Word of God is important. But as long as their belief does not lead them to read and study the Word of God, then their professed belief is nothing more than unbelief. To call yourself a Christian and neglect reading Scripture is backwards, and your life will not be upright, but upside down. My aim is to stir your soul for the Word of God. It is my desire for you to hunger for the meat of God’s Word, and thirst for the milk of God’s Word (1 Cor. 3:2; 1 Pt. 2:2).
The Author of Scripture
“I have written to him”
Why should Christians read, study and obey Scripture? First and foremost because God is the Author of Scripture. Though many men from different times penned the words of Scripture, there is but one Author.For no prophecy was ever produced by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:21).
Scripture is sixty-six inspired books with a cohesive redemptive theme inspired of God. Moses may have written history and law but it was God who guided the pen. David and Solomon may have composed beautiful psalms, prose and proverbs, but it was God who guided the pen. The prophets may have uttered prophetic messages of judgement and promises, but it was God who guided the pen. Matthew, Mark, Luke and John may have recorded the life and ministry of Jesus Christ, but it was God who guided the pen. Paul may have masterfully written theological expositions, but it was God who guided the pen. Men spoke and wrote, but they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. For every word, sentence, and page of Scripture is inspired of God:
All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness (2 Timothy 3:16)
Post-modern celebrity pastors may want to “unhitch” themselves and their churches from the Old Testament, but it is just as inspired as the New Testament. The Old Testament may seem “strange” because it declares God as the Creator of the heavens and the earth, but it is true nonetheless. The Old Testament may seem “strange” because it records miracles, signs and wonders, but it is still trustworthy despite the contrary. Old Testament laws, principles, and precepts may seem antiquated and politically incorrect in comparison with today’s standards, but it is still true (Ps. 19:9, 119:142). What is “strange” is that culture dictates what is considered to be true or not true. Today the waves of fashion and the whims of fads take precedence over truth. Relativism has bent truth to mean “whatever is true for you may not be true for me.” Such thinking is weak and frail, and will not endure the weight of push back and disagreement. However, we have a more sure Word of Prophecy (2 Pt. 1:19-20)!
This God—his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him (Psalm 18:30)But you are near, O Lord, and all your commandments are true (Psalm 119:15)
Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth (John 17:17)
And you shall know the truth and the truth shall make you free (John 8:32)
Today may be considered post-modern, and post-truth, but we shall never be post-scripture. Scripture is what we stand upon, for its author is God. If God is true, then let every man and his subjective opinion be a liar (Rom. 3:4). For it is impossible for God to lie (Heb. 6:18). Therefore, we must conclude that Scripture is true. Every doctrine, theological argument, and persuasion must be rooted in Scripture. If God does not change, then God’s Word will not change (Mal. 3:6; Heb. 13:8):
The grass withers, and the flower falls, but the word of the Lord remains forever. And this word is the good news that was preached to you (1 Peter 1:24–25)
For Scripture to be truth, and its Author truthful, then we can conclude there are no errors. Men and history have tried to find contradictions, errors and mistakes, but it still stands as the inerrant Word of God. Scripture’s adversaries have come and gone and yet the Bible endures.If God is the author of Scripture this means that it has authority. If these words were only written by man, then we could reject them. But they are not just the words of man, they are the very words of God. The Word of God is the authority on subjects such as man’s sinfulness, and God’s redemption. Scripture is the authority on how men should live(2 Tim. 3:16). It is the authority on how men should love God and each other (John 13:34-35). These may be counted as “strange things” and it may seem alien and foreign to unbelievers. But the Word of God is spirit and life (John 6:63).
The Great Things of Scripture
“The great things of my law”
What we find in the God-inspired Scriptures are great things. There isn’t anything in Scripture that is unimportant and insignificant. This is true considering that Jesus had come to fulfill all parts of Scripture:
For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled (Matthew 5:18)
Some would have you believe that there are portions of Scripture which are not important. And that you are free to pick and choose which parts to believe and doubt. Such thinking yields little benefit. This is nothing more than a spiritual buffet, where you can take what you like and leave the other. Thomas Jefferson made such an attempt, cutting out Jesus’ divinity, miracles and resurrection thus making the “Jefferson Bible.”
A Bible that is devoid of Christ’s divinity, miracles and message is no bible at all.Beloved, all Scripture is great, even the parts you may disagree with. Some may try to cut out the doctrines that they may not like, but they will soon find out that their names will be removed from the Book of Life. Others may feel Scripture is inadequate and want to add their preferences and opinions to it, but they are just as wrong for it is written:
For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book: And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book (Revelation 22:18–19)
All of Scripture is great, and every part of is profitable for doctrine, reproof, rebuke, correction and teaching in righteousness (2 Tim. 3:16).
Counted As Strange Things
“But they were counted as a strange thing.”
God had given Israel His Word (Ex. 19:3-6). However, it had been neglected because they thought it was “strange.” What a sad treatment of God’s Word. The word “counted” in the original language means “determined,” “valued,” “esteemed,” or “considered.” The Word of God had little value to Israel. It is sad what little value we place on Scripture today. We hear one to three sermons a week and feel that is sufficient enough for our consumption of Scripture. Or we nibble on a verse just long enough sometime in the day to soothe our conscience. To quote Charles Spurgeon: “There is enough dust on your bibles to write ‘damnation’ with your fingers.”
Little value is placed on Scripture in our lives. We give it little time and effort, because we consider it “strange.”The word “strange” used here in the Hebrew means “out of the ordinary,” “illegitimate,” or “alien.” We are more familiar with the cultural language of entertainment and politics than we are with Scripture. We are fluent with cultural jargon, and unable to comprehend the Word of Scripture. There needs to be a hunger for God’s Word. But if we are not careful, there will come a famine:
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, That I will send a famine in the land, Not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, But of hearing the words of the Lord: And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east, They shall run to and fro to seek the word of the Lord, and shall not find it (Amos 8:11–12)
The prophet Amos warned of a famine that would cover the land, a deficiency of hearing the Word of God. To avoid the famine, you must be willing to store up while you have the harvest. We have an embarrassment of riches when it comes to the Bible. There are more English translations, study bibles, and editions than ever before. What’s the point of having a harvest if it is not eaten? The farmer does not sit and wait for his harvest to wilt and wither, instead he gathers in and plants again. The Christian must partake of the scriptural blessings that they have. Like Ezekiel and John you must take the book and eat it (Ezk. 3:1-3; Rev. 10:9-10). Man cannot live by bread alone, but his spiritual diet must consist of the living Word of God (Deut. 8:3; Matt. 4:4).
Delighting in Scripture
Psalm 119 is the longest chapter in the Bible with 176 verses. This lengthy psalm has one subject: the Word of God. The writer of this amazing psalm was saturated with his subject. This song was written by a saint who was utterly committed to his subject. If this psalmist was indeed King David, we can understand why he was a man after God’s own heart. For David’s heart was delighted in God’s Word. The Scripture, to this writer, was no strange thing. The Word of God was considered great. The doctrines, laws and precepts were not thought to be alien.
There are at least six synonyms used for Scripture in this measurable chapter.
- Law: It can be used of a single command or the whole body of the Law. This word is mainly used in reference to the Pentateuch, or the first five books of the Bible.
Open thou mine eyes, That I may behold wondrous things out of thy law (Psalm 119:18)
“Wonderous”: extraordinary, wonderful, astounding. God’s Laws are wondrous, but our eyes must be illuminated, for the god of this world has blinded us (2 Cor. 4:4).
- Testimonies: This word is used in reference to when the Law was placed in or near the Ark of the Covenant, it would signify it’s “witness.”
Thy testimonies also are my delight And my counsellers (Psalm 119:24)
“Delight”: a feeling of extreme pleasure or satisfaction. The Word of God brings a feeling of pleasure. It will be a sweet savor unto your soul (Ps. 119:103).
- Precepts: This particular word is drawn from the sphere of an officer, overseer, or one who had the responsibility to look into a matter closely and take action. When used in the Old Testament it is in reference to particular instructions from the Lord.
I will never forget thy precepts: For with them thou hast quickened me (Psalm 119:93)
- Statutes: This speaks of the binding force and permanence of Scripture as laws that are inscribed.
I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word (Psalm 119:16)
- Commandments: This word emphasizes the authority of what God has said, and includes the power to convince by absolute authority.
Make me to go in the path of thy commandments; For therein do I delight (Psalm 119:35)
- Ordinances, Rules, Judgments: Here this Hebrew word speaks of the decisions of a judge.
Seven times a day do I praise thee Because of thy righteous judgments (Psalm 119:164)
Notice how the writer delights in the Word of God. His one desire is to understand and keep the commandments of God. The writer of Psalm 119 would rather have the Word of God than food (Psalm 119:103)! He would rather have God’s Word than wealth (Psalm 119:72; 127). He would rather study God’s Word than sleep (Psalm 119:147–148). He would choose the Word of God over hanging out with bad friends (Psalm 119:115). How can a young man keep his way pure? By taking heed to God’s Word (Ps. 119:9). How can you keep yourself from being offended? By loving the Law of God (Psalm 119:165). How can you learn to hate evil? Through esteeming all of Scripture (Psalm 119:128) Hiding the Word of God in your heart will assist you in fighting against sin (Ps. 119:11). You can become a person of praise with God’s Word (Ps. 119:17). And you can be blessed if you will love the Word of God with your whole heart (Ps. 119:2, 56).
Beloved, the Word of God is great! This Book is not strange, its words are not strange, its principles and precepts are not strange, and its witness of the One True God is not strange. Rather, the Word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path (Ps. 119:105).