"I have written to him the great things of my law, but they were counted as a strange thing" (Hosea 8:12). Israel was the "apple of God's eye" (Deuteronomy 32:10). He reared, taught and trained them in the ways of righteousness. Through his law, he sought to mold and shape their minds to walk in the paths of things divine.

God's law was an expression of God's love and concern for the nation. Every demand and prohibition was penned in their best interest. Through his divine precepts, God sought to insulate Israel from the idolatrous ways of the heathen nations and all the sins that flowed there-from. However, Israel had no appetite for God's decrees, thus viewing them as something foreign and undesirable.

God loves the church. Hallowed blood is evidence of the depth of that love. The great heart of God beats with fervent concern for the welfare of spiritual Israel. The law of Christ is designed to shield the church from error and sin and thus, promote truth and righteousness. Every mandate therein was inscribed with man's earthly happiness and eternal security in mind.

Sadly, there are many within the church who view the law of God as a "strange thing." They cry with ancient Judah, "speak unto us smooth things" (Isaiah 30:10).

The church is replete with people who want religion without sacrifice, grace without law and Christ without a cross [emphasis added]. Thus, they view the restricting, demanding, prohibiting will of God with disdain. Like the apostate heirs of Sinai, "they despise the law of the Lord" (Amos 2:4).

There is a "famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord" (Amos 8:11). Human interest stories, philosophy and personal experiences are serving as empty substitutes for a "thus saith God." Bible-centered preaching has become a lost art in many pulpits. Tragically, the church has its own who count the law of God as a "strange thing."