Hosea 8:12
I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing.
Original Language Analysis
Historical Context
Israel possessed written Torah (Pentateuch), yet treated it as irrelevant to daily life. Priests who should teach law instead led in violating it (4:6). The phrase 'great things' (רֻבֵּו, rubo—literally 'multitudes' or 'great matters') emphasizes Torah's comprehensiveness and significance. Archaeological discoveries of 8th century inscriptions show Israelites could read/write, making textual Torah accessible. Yet familiarity bred contempt—they knew law but counted it strange/foreign. Church history parallels: when Bible becomes cultural artifact rather than living Word, even Bible-possessing societies become biblically ignorant. The Reformation's return to Scripture addressed this disconnect.
Questions for Reflection
- How can familiarity with Scripture paradoxically result in treating it as 'strange thing'—irrelevant to real life?
- What spiritual conditions cause God's law to seem foreign rather than precious to covenant people?
Analysis & Commentary
Written law spurned: 'I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing.' God declares: כָּתַבְתִּי לוֹ רֻבֵּו תּוֹרָתִי (katavti lo rubo torati, I wrote to him great things/multitudes of My Torah), yet נֶחְשָׁבוּ כְּמוֹ־זָר (nechshevu kemo-zar, they're counted as strange/foreign). Divine revelation treated as alien, Torah regarded as foreign law. This demonstrates ultimate perversity: God's people treating God's Word as stranger. Psalm 119 celebrates Torah; Israel despises it. Jesus confronted similar attitude: Pharisees nullifying Word through tradition (Mark 7:13). Only Spirit-transformation makes law delightful rather than foreign (Psalm 119:97, Romans 7:22).