Hosea 8:12 I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing. That which should have been for their health, became to them an occasion of more heinous and aggravated guilt. I. GOD HAS WRITTEN UNTO US THE GREAT THINGS OF HIS LAW. By the law of God understand the whole revelation which God has given of His will. Take brief survey of God's law, as written and delivered to us. 1. The declarations contained in it are great and important. 2. There are many promises which are exceeding great and precious. 3. There are great things written in the way of invitation and encouragement. 4. There are great and interesting precepts and instructions. 5. There are solemn threatenings against obstinate and impenitent offenders. We are certainly not less favoured than Israel was. II. WHETHER AND IN WHAT DEGREE WE ARE CHARGEABLE WITH THEIR GUILT, in "counting the great things of God's law a strange thing." 1. They did not receive what God delivered to them as being of Divine authority, but as a kind of imposition to which they were under no obligation to submit. We may judge who among ourselves are in a similar state of guilt. All those who deny the Divine inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, and deem that invaluable treasury of great things to be nothing better than a cunningly devised fable. 2. They did not at all see or discern their own interest in those things. Are not similar views entertained among us? And is not similar conduct the consequence? Some consider the Bible and religion as adapted only to persons of a gloomy and melancholy cast of mind. Others think the study of them belongs only to divines. 3. They were apprehensive that a strict adherence to God's law would make their conduct appear strange and singular among their surrounding neighbours. We contract greater guilt when ever we are ashamed of the Gospel of Christ; when we are afraid to act up to its sacred rules. The mercy of God, in writing and committing to us the great things of His law, is such as cannot be sufficiently estimated. It calls for fervent and lasting gratitude. "To whom much is given, of him shall much be required." (S. Knight, M. A.) Parallel Verses KJV: I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing.WEB: I wrote for him the many things of my law; but they were regarded as a strange thing. |
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